July 18, 2008 05:03 PM UTC

Rocky Mountain News: Shafroth In CD-2

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• by: Colorado Pols

Many different interpretations possible for today’s endorsement:

If the polls are right, Democrats could have a field day in November – not only possibly capturing the White House but increasing their majorities in Congress, too. That’s why the quality of newly elected Democrats will be so important – and why we’re taking a look today at the race in Colorado’s 2nd congressional district.

Make no mistake: The makeup of the 2nd District almost guarantees that one of the candidates in the Aug. 12 Democratic primary – Jared Polis, Joan Fitz-Gerald or Will Shafroth – will be heading to Washington next year to replace Mark Udall, who is attempting to jump to the Senate. Yet the two experienced office-holders, Polis and Fitz-Gerald, are flawed to the point that we think voters should acquaint themselves with the political newcomer, Shafroth. He’s a professional conservationist who could add a needed perspective to the Washington debate.

The problem with Polis? Don’t get us started on Amendment 41, which the wealthy former state school board member bankrolled without bothering to vet properly for problems. The result: The state’s constitution will be saddled perhaps for decades with this flawed, heavy-handed document.

Then there is his campaign itself…

Ouch. As for Fitz-Gerald? The Rocky doesn’t like some things she stands for that, frankly, many CD-2 liberal Democrats are completely cool with.

Not only does Fitz-Gerald support a single-payer universal health care system (as does Polis, unfortunately) that will boost the frequency of rationed care, she is the least friendly to free trade among the candidates – even opposing NAFTA and in an apparently successful bid for union support.

In conclusion:

…Shafroth’s rhetoric on green issues differs little from that of his opponents. What sets him apart is his lack of shrillness on issues generally, his proven ability to work with people across the political spectrum and his realism on critical issues such as health care and trade. Yes, he favors universal medical coverage, for example, but through both government and private insurers.

Shafroth’s level-headed approach paid big dividends while he was executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado, where he leveraged lottery money to preserve thousands of acres of scenic land, and then as founder of the Colorado Conservation Trust.

The 2nd District primary has gotten nasty in recent days, with Polis, for example, trying to paint Fitz-Gerald as a pawn of wealthy PACs and sleazy corporations. We’d urge voters to ignore this white noise and get back to basics: Which candidate has the skills to best excel in Washington’s ego-heavy arena. We think the answer is clear.

The Rocky sets up exactly the scenario we’ve always discussed that could vault Shafroth into Congress – fed up with the Polis-Fitz fight, Shafroth can look like a nice option. But is there enough time for Shafroth to capitalize given his low name ID?

A poll follows. More commentary on this endorsement at State 38.

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