Line Changes Across the Board

Big changes today across the board, from the Governor Line all the way down to the Legislature Line. We’ll start at the top...

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper still won’t say one way or the other if he’s running, but the whispers are growing louder among Democratic leaders that he’s the donkey’s best shot at winning the seat. Based on his popularity in the Denver Metro region alone, he’s still at the top of the list.

Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff has now become part of the everyday discussion, which is half the battle in a race of this magnitude. While it’s true that some Democrats in the state house are not happy with his leadership, he is continually asked about whether or not he’ll run. The fact that so many people keep mentioning his name is worth a point or two in the credibility category.

Even though Scott McInnis has finally formed an exploratory committee to run for governor, we’re not yet convinced of the seriousness of his intentions. He’s conducting no meetings around the state - or even in Denver - he’s not fundraising, and he’s not running around giving speeches. Privately, McInnis has told friends that he’ll wait until the first of the year to make a final decision after checking his poll numbers. As for the “draft McInnis” campaign, who’s on it besides former Secretary of State Natalie Meyer? It’s not like half of the Republican legislature has spoken up for him.

But there may be more to McInnis’ “exploratory committee.” Between now and the first of the year, McInnis can use his leftover congressional funds to “explore” his political options, a loophole in campaign finance law that allows him to legally pay “staff” a salary while he thinks it over.

There has been some speculation among Republicans that McInnis is really just utilizing his leftover funds to pay family members as “staff,” something he did during his last congressional term. That’s a pretty bold speculation, but when you consider that a) he’s done it before, b) he can’t do anything with that money now anyway, and c) he’s not doing anything to indicate he is actually running for governor…well, it makes a little more sense.

Elsewhere, former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter drops for keeping his head in the sand; by the time he gets around to getting serious, it may be too late. On the Republican side, State Treasurer Mike Coffman is in a virtual free fall down the Governor Line. If McInnis is indeed serious, then he is a distant fourth among Republican candidates. If he can’t show the ability to raise serious money before the next filing period, he may be too far out of the race to even merit campaigning in 2006.

The rest of the line stays about the same, with former Senator Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell and State Senator Tom Wiens continuing to fall downward. Former Lieutenant Governor Gail Schoettler is still in the mix as some Democrats look for an alternative to the current list.

As for the CD-7 Line, there’s plenty of big changes this week. The big news is at the top of the list, as we’re hearing rumors that some Republicans don’t feel like Rick O’Donnell is the guy who gives them their best shot at winning in November. The name being mentioned instead? The man whose name is floated for everything: Troy Eid.

Eid would have been U.S. Attorney by now, and still might, but ran into some problems during the background check and confirmation process. A run for CD-7 would give him a graceful exit from consideration, and some party leaders are even encouraging him to run out of fear that O’Donnell can’t make it through November. We won’t hold our breath waiting to see if Eid jumps in, but the questions about O’Donnell have already begun.

Elsewhere, State Representative Michael Garcia has been popping up all over the place and seems likely to at least give it a try, so he makes his first appearance on the line. It’s still former State Senator Ed Perlumutter and O’Donnell at the top right now, but the midsection is filling up. Joanna Conti drops yet again with word last week that several experienced staffers turned her down in her request for help.

And finally, thanks to continued lunacy by Republicans at the state capitol, Democrats are in a good position – should they do enough to capitalize on the elephants' silliness – to walk away with the legislature again in 2006. We’ve got a long way to go until then, but if elephants don’t right their ship, Dems should have no trouble holding onto their seats. Check back later for more on the Republicans’ crumbling prospects.

Comments

[eddie]

What circles are pushing for Eid? What makes him a more attractive candidate than O'Donnell?

[Insider]

O'Donnell would have the support of Beauprez, Owens, Allard and even Dick Wadhams. Not sure who would back Eid.

[thinkin]

Concerning the Beauprez campaign, I think I might just wait to see how reflective his campaign is of the entire state and not just the 7th. If I see every staff member rolled into the campaign but no real "inclusiveness" mentality, I might just decide to help out on other state races, instead.

[Jake]

Troy Eid, who are you kidding?? O'Donnell has locked up the major Republican players in the 7th and the major money players in Colorado.

Let's not forget O'Donnell won the Congressional Assembly, got top line and only came up 1900 votes short in a four way primary. That with almost no money while BB loaned himself $300k so he could be on tv for the last week and a half.

[50+1]

Hickenlooper is not going to run and the longer the Democrats say he is their only hope the better for the Republicans and Beauprez. My prediction is they will fall back to the money and the guy partly responsible for thier winning last cycle..Rutt B.
On the 7th line Rick O. has it locked. He ran a great campaign with no $$ last time and acted as everyone should after they lose a primary, he jumped on board Beauprez campaign and helped him win, class act. As far a Eid other than Troy himself not even his wife is pushing him for 7th CD. Rick already has nomination and primary locked in support, resources, and party. On to the General for Rick let the Dem's bicker and have a bloody primary.

[gil]

Gov. Romanoff? He wouldn't even get reelected as speaker right now. Ha Ha Ha. Dems are in a bad way.

[vladimir]

In 2002 Rick O'Donnell was the front runner --it ws slamming Sam Zakhem, Jolting Joe Rogers and O'Donnell -- than the Reps polled and found that Ricky could not win --in March here came Beauprez to save the day --
Tom DeLay only wants votes when he needs them and has no need for or use for a purist -- if the Reps don't think O'Donnell can win he will be dumped.

[Jake]

Vladimir, Your post shows everything you don't know. Rick was never the "front runner" last time around and got a lot of pressure to stay out of the race.

BB was looking at the race prior to Rick's announcement but waited to make his announcement.

Yes, the NRCC thought BB was the best candidate at the time. We will see who they think has the ability to win this time, my bet is on O'Donnell.