January 06, 2010 10:12 PM UTC

Curry Leaves Door Open to Come Home?

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Grand Junction Sentinel reports the latest in Rep. Kathleen Curry’s odd saga:

State Rep. Kathleen Curry faced little criticism during a town hall meeting Tuesday night over her recent decision to leave the Democratic Party and become an independent.

Some 30 people, including members of both parties, attended the Glenwood Springs event, and many broke out in applause at one person’s comment that a lot of people support the Gunnison lawmaker…

Margi Hilleary of Glenwood Springs expressed disappointment Tuesday that Curry had left the Democratic Party.

“I guess I’m one of the few people here who are really sorry you’ve changed,” Hilleary said.

She said Democrats fought hard for their gains in the legislature.

“We have our torchbearers and not enough of them,” Hilleary said.

“In a way, it looks like you’re telling me that not having these positions of leadership is going to put you in a position to serve us better?” she asked.

Curry said she believes that’s the case. She said she’d be willing to re-evaluate her decision if she learns she can’t be effective. [Pols emphasis]

Well there’s no question that Rep. Curry won’t be as effective for her constituents as she would be as a member of House leadership, or chair of the Agriculture committee. She also won’t be nearly as effective as a “caucus of one,” basically denying herself the ability to network and coordinate her legislative strategy.

We said previously that we don’t think Curry’s decision was very well-planned, and the more time passes the more erratic she frankly looks here. Whatever disagreements she had with other legislators over policy, it was her decision to disaffiliate from the Democratic party–a decision that had secondary consequences for her, like going from a popular lock for reelection to a longshot write-in candidate. If Rep. Curry steps back from the brink, we believe that her erstwhile Democratic colleagues would be magnanimous: maybe not magnanimous enough to give her back her leadership positions, but enough so that she could keep her seat without undue hardship.

But like everything related to this weird little episode, that decision will be hers.