Ritter Approval Rating Bad, But Could Be Worse?

44% but slipping is fair

I think it is fair to say the Govs race is dead even, and voters are not passionate about the Governor.

How does Ritter keep the 44% and add back the 6 -8% he will need to win? I have played with the question while on vacation and did not come up with an answer.

Transportation push?  no money
Budget/ Revenue issue?  With the need to eliminate all tax credits from the State, the Governor is about to go to battle with the Land Trust community, enterprise zones will hurt Economic Development/ Chamber types plus College President.
State employee layoffs? Hard to be the leader when you have done nothing so far but add employees.
PERA reform? more from the tax payer or more from the employee.

I really do not see how Ritter takes the agenda back in a way that adds 6-8% to his approval rating.  

Love to hear the other armchair quaterbacks on this issue.  

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by: johnpauljones @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 19:49:03 PM UTC

From a purely political standpoint

One way would be to try encourage Democratic turnout with a ballot initiative aimed at core Democratic constituencies. Despite the fact that many Dems are dissatisfied with him, if he can get something on the ballot--pushed by him--they might end up voting for him at the top of the ballot anyway.

What exactly that would be is another issue entirely, but I see that as a way to get some of that 7-8% he'll need.

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by: redstateblues @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 20:06:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

TABOR/A23/Gallagher Reform

Turns out the Dems, is getting to be a winning issue with the moderates, makes him look like he's doing something politically inexpedient (although he already looks that way) and helps explain why he hasn't met more campaign promises related to transportation, etc.

Although, last I heard, Brandon Shaffer was gonna take the reins on that issue.

"It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions."
- Harvey Milk

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by: J-Rock @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 20:26:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Interesting answer - had not thought of that

Redstateblue, good point

Fielder did Amend 24 (growth control) which failed but help Dems took the Senate in 2000.  

Right to life folks will be back but it motivates both sides.

Have to ponder what might work.  Thanks    

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by: johnpauljones @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 22:45:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

At least a majority of LVs have an opinion about Ritter

The same poll shows Bennet with a 21 percent approval, with 17 percent disapproval.

Generic GOP barely edges generic Dem for 2010 Senate 41-40 -- this is remarkable just over nine months after Udall and Obama won the state.

Grain of salt, though. This was a poll for the NRSC, the outfit tasked with ousting Bennet.

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by: RedGreen @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 19:59:52 PM UTC

How Ritter can win

Putting aside what I personally would like to see him do (because of course making me happy is the road to success) I think...

That the primary thing Ritter has to do is sell people on how he has done a really good job. I don't think Ritter's problem is what he has accomplished (or not accomplished), I think it's people's impression of those efforts.

In other words, Ritter's main problem is in his marketing department.

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 20:39:02 PM UTC

This is an easy answer

Have him run against a Republican and give them plenty of air time to explain their ideas.

Ritter wins in a landslide.

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by: Gilpin Guy @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 22:14:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He's Not Up to the Job

Any politician outside Louisiana and Illinois who has become Governor and doesn't know that you don't give no-bid contracts to your former employer is simply un-qualified to hold the job and should be run out on a rail as soon as possible.  I believe he will be run out, the question is will it be a Republican or another Democrat?

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by: Craig @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 22:46:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It won't be another Democrat

Penry will give it a go (I predict JP will be the GOP nominee).  

Penry will be a strong candidate, but I also think that the GOP Primary (and having to run to the right of McLobbyist) and his status as a regional (as opposed to statewide) pol are large challenges for Penry to overcome.  Time will tell.  

"There are a lot of reasons not to elect me." Mitt Romney in a moment of clarity

"I'm Mitt Romney and yes, Wolf, that's also my first name," Willard Mitt Romney demonstrating 'policy flexibility.'  

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by: ClubTwitty @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 22:54:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm not sure Penry has to run right

The base knows he's conservative. And he's running on Republicans need to change and that trashes McInnis without it being a move to the right.

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 03:16:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Welcome aboard, Craig

Glad you signed up just to post that.

There have been numerous discussions on the subjects you posted about.

Pity you didn't take the time to read them.

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same.  Which one will it be?  --Joseph V. Paterno

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by: Ralphie @ Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 01:13:39 AM UTC

[ Parent ]