December 09, 2010 06:47 PM UTC

John Salazar--2012 Comeback?

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

Heck of a story in today’s Durango Herald from their DC-based intern Tamar Hallerman–outgoing Rep. John Salazar, bested by GOP “Tea Party” upstart Scott Tipton in an election that Salazar didn’t expect to lose (more on that in a moment), is considering returning the favor in 2012.

U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, said Wednesday that he is considering a 2012 rematch against Scott Tipton to win back the House seat he lost in November.

In an interview outside the House chamber after a vote, the outgoing congressman speculated about his future.

“We’re thinking that we might run again in two years, but who knows? I’m keeping all options open,” he said. “We’ve been offered a possibility of serving at many other places, or there’s a great possibility of going back to the ranch and raising cattle.”

When asked for comment, Tipton said he was not aware of Salazar’s consideration to run again…

We mentioned in our wrap-up of 2010 election losers that Rep. Salazar probably should feel worse about his loss to Tipton than, for example, Rep. Betsy Markey’s defeat by Cory Gardner. Most people we’ve talked to about this race agree that Salazar was very, very late to realize the threat posed to him by…well, not Tipton personally as much as the “GOP wave” in general. Salazar’s local popularity and low-key charm weren’t enough to counterbalance the generic anti-incumbent anger that swept through the country last month, but we still think that’s because he didn’t respond vigorously to the changing situation. By the time Salazar realized what was happening, and revamped his campaign with capable staff like Tara Trujillo, it was already too late.

But we’ve also said several times that Rep.-elect Tipton’s campaign was laughable by any competent standard, replete with totally absurd policy prescriptions and flip-flops. We believed then, and still think, that Tipton could only have won this seat with a tidal wave of momentum behind him–a crutch he won’t have in 2012. So you bet: depending on what happens with redistricting, there’s every reason to think that Salazar could take this seat right back from Tipton; and if he decides to try, this could easily be the most interesting race in Colorado next season.