August 29, 2008 04:21 PM UTC

Mark Udall Shines On Invesco Stage; Ritter, Not So Much

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• by: Colorado Pols

In addition to being Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s epic moment, the final day of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field gave Senate candidate Mark Udall his biggest audience yet. And he didn’t disappoint, as the Denver Post reports:

Rep. Mark Udall challenged the Democratic National Convention crowd Thursday, reminding them that it is their responsibility to change government for the better.

That charge, originally delivered 30 years ago by Arizona Rep. Mo Udall, still rings true today, his son said in a prime-time speech from the Invesco Field podium. Udall, of Eldorado Springs, is seeking the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Wayne Allard.

“In the spirit of the West, we can move forward, but it’s going to take leaders who are strong enough to stand up for what’s right, bold enough to bring new ideas and sweep away the worst of Washington’s old ways,” Udall said as supporters blanketed the front section of Invesco Field at Mile High with signs and the Colorado delegation cheered.

Wearing a bolo tie to pay homage to his father, Udall praised Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden as the leaders ready to rush in a new direction for the country.

“This is our time,” Udall said. “This is our moment to change the course of history.”

The appearance by Udall will help his visibility, which he will need to fight Republican Bob Schaffer, said Norman Ornstein, political analyst with the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank.

“It’s going to be very good for Udall for fundraising,” Ornstein said. “He’s got a lot of people who regularly give money to Democratic candidates.” [Pols emphasis]

…Schaffer’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment Thursday night.

While Udall shined, Governor Bill Ritter was a dud. Ritter had a hoarse voice which hurt his delivery, but his voice wasn’t the problem – the speech may have been the most dull and uninspiring of any given last night, which was inexcusable given the setting. Ritter sounded as though he just gave a stump speech from his campaign. They really couldn’t come up with anything better?

Maybe the Ritter camp spent a lot of effort and time on the speech, but it sure didn’t sound like it. To have been given such a big stage to shine as the host Governor, Ritter lost a great chance to impress the pundits and the chattering class and raise his own profile. What a missed opportunity, and an embarrassing one at that.