U.S. Senate See Full Big Line

(D) J. Hickenlooper*

(R) Somebody

80%

20%

Governor See Full Big Line
(D) Phil Weiser

(D) Joe Neguse

(D) Jena Griswold

60%

60%

40%↓

Att. General See Full Big Line

(D) M. Dougherty

(D) Alexis King

(D) Brian Mason

40%

40%

30%

Sec. of State See Full Big Line
(D) A. Gonzalez

(D) George Stern

(R) Sheri Davis

50%↑

40%

30%

State Treasurer See Full Big Line

(D) Brianna Titone

(R) Kevin Grantham

(D) Jerry DiTullio

60%

30%

20%

CO-01 (Denver) See Full Big Line

(D) Diana DeGette*

(R) Somebody

90%

2%

CO-02 (Boulder-ish) See Full Big Line

(D) Joe Neguse*

(R) Somebody

90%

2%

CO-03 (West & Southern CO) See Full Big Line

(R) Jeff Hurd*

(D) Somebody

80%

40%

CO-04 (Northeast-ish Colorado) See Full Big Line

(R) Lauren Boebert*

(D) Somebody

90%

10%

CO-05 (Colorado Springs) See Full Big Line

(R) Jeff Crank*

(D) Somebody

80%

20%

CO-06 (Aurora) See Full Big Line

(D) Jason Crow*

(R) Somebody

90%

10%

CO-07 (Jefferson County) See Full Big Line

(D) B. Pettersen*

(R) Somebody

90%

10%

CO-08 (Northern Colo.) See Full Big Line

(R) Gabe Evans*

(D) Yadira Caraveo

(D) Joe Salazar

50%

40%

40%

State Senate Majority See Full Big Line

DEMOCRATS

REPUBLICANS

80%

20%

State House Majority See Full Big Line

DEMOCRATS

REPUBLICANS

95%

5%

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
October 27, 2008 06:21 PM UTC

Cabinet Post for Salazar?

  • 67 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

From the Rocky Mountain News:

Sen. Ken Salazar on Sunday downplayed speculation that he might be a top candidate for the post of Interior secretary if his Democratic colleague, Sen. Barack Obama, wins the presidency in eight days.

“I love what I’m doing now as U.S. senator,” Salazar said following Obama’s speech before more than 45,000 people at Colorado State University.

In recent days, various political sources – both Democratic and Republican – have speculated that Salazar was interested in taking on the Cabinet position overseeing vast tracts of federal and tribal lands throughout the country, particularly in the West.

President Bush in his first term tapped former Colorado Attorney General Gale Norton to serve as his first Interior secretary. She has since taken a job in the energy industry.

Salazar, who is up for re-election in 2010, deferred when asked if he had committed to serve the remaining two years on his first U.S. Senate term or would consider such a Cabinet position.

“I believe Sen. Obama is going to have multiple, wonderful candidates for all his positions,” Salazar said. “I’m working on behalf of his campaign not because I want any position, but because I’m comfortable; I just want him elected president.”

If Salazar were to be tapped for a Cabinet post, it could cause an interesting dilemma for Democrats in Colorado. We hear that Salazar is polling well enough that top Republicans aren’t exactly lining up to challenge him in 2010, where the winnable seat is considered to be the Governor’s post. But if Salazar were to leave, Democrats would need to fill his seat with someone who could quickly run a strong statewide re-election campaign in what would amount to an open seat.

Tweet
Share

Comments

67 thoughts on “Cabinet Post for Salazar?”

  1. a Salazar appointment replaced by a more typical Democrat, would have the virtue of giving Obama a more secure majority in the Senate, which is the only speed bump holding back Obama’s agenda.

    A safer vote to defeat GOP filibusters and vote for the administration agenda could be a big deal, and Salazar, with his background as a water lawyer, is an excellent fit for Secretary of Interior.

  2. Probably a pipe dream, but that would make me very happy.

    I talked to Speaker Romanoff outside the Obama rally. He was campaigning hard for Amendment 59, so I told him that I thought it was a good law and that I was proud to vote yes on it. I also mentioned that we were going to miss having him in the State House.

    I then asked him if he had any plans for next year. He knew what I was asking him before I even got it out, and he flatly told me that he didn’t know what he was going to do yet.

    I told him that if he ever ran for statewide office he would have my support.

    2. I think Ken’s at the top of Obama’s list for Interior, it’s just a matter of him accepting the position. Andrew would make a terrific Senator, and I think he hops to the top of the line if 59 passes (well, tied at the top of the line with Cary).

      Just a quick note about the Obama rally…I loved how nondescript Andrew was, just standing on 14th street talking to people about A-59. I was with him for the event (in a sandwich board, nonetheless), and he was just having a good time chatting with folks about the campaign.  

      1. I respect Andrew for everything he has done and think he would be a terrific Senator, but its the statewide election that would have me worried.  Cary has already proven that she can win statewide, and I think if 59 passes her stock goes up (along with Andrew’s).  In the end it should come down to holding the seat.

        1. I know her well and think she would be great.

          I don’t know if she wants to go to Washington, but if she does I’d be happy to go with her.

  3. If Ken goes he will push for his brother to fill the vacancy, that of course would leave CD3 open.  Bernie Buescher?

    John Hickenlooper would also be in line.  Not sure how past tension with Ritter (Hick was on the verge of announcing for Guv and a primary against Ritter in 2006)would play with Ritter naming Hick.

    Cary Kennedy might want it as well.

    And of course there is the possibility that Ritter might want it for himself.  He resigns and O’Brien names him to the seat.

    Another angle, what if Ken was not the Salazar tapped for a cabinet post?  What if John is named to Ag?

    Cabinet posts coming out of Colorado are certainly a possibility – a possibility that is enhanced if Colorado is influential in Obama’s election.

    1. But unsure if John Salazar would be tapped before Ken.  The other scenario of John taking his brother’s Senate seat makes more sense.

      Personally it would be disappointing to see Ritter tapped before the others (Salazars, Romanoff).  The Gov has work he needs to finish here before moving on to any federal job.

      With all that said, Ken Salazar would be an excellent Sec of Interior.

      It would be an ironic turn of events if K. Salazar becomes SOI, J. Salazar fills Ken’s seat, Buescher loses his state election but is appointed to J. Salazar’s seat (or, of course, Buescher wins his election yet still appointed to congress allowing D’s to hold HD55 for another two years).

      It would be a tough loss for the CO House to lose Buescher, especially with the talk of him becoming Speaker.

      1. Just a quick note on the logistics:  if there is a vacancy in the US Senate, the Governor appoints until the next general election.  If there is a vacancy in Congress, though, there is a pretty darned immediate “special election”.  So Buescher (or Curry, or McFadyen, or Isgar — all would be good choices) would have to immediately ramp up to a special election in the spring.

        To be clear, I’m not jumping into the fray on who should replace whom, but just wanted to be sure folks knew that the Gov wouldn’t appoint a two-year successor to the Congressional seat.

        1. the special election needs to be held within 90 days of the vacancy.

          Buescher is a much stronger D candidate than the others you mention.  

          Ski counties (including LaPlata) are all trending Democratic.  A candidate in the 3rd has to be able to carry those counties, as well as the Valley and Pueblo AND carry other western slope areas, Mesa county being prime.  

          Of all the potential candidates you mention, Buescher has the greates abiltity to carry those areas that will vote for a D plus Mesa and put a dent in the R vote out of Delta.

          Bernie’s ability to win in Grand Junction moves him to the top of the list.

          1. I’m not going to comment on the strengths of individual candidates, other than to say I’m a big fan of Rep. Buescher, as I’ve said in the past.  But I will say that any of the candidates I’ve mentioned (plus one I forgot, Gail Schwartz) would be strong candidates — strong enough to win that District.  We have a long bench in the 3rd CD.  The GOP?  Eh, not so much.

      2. I think if he got himself appointed it would backfire and he would lose the election. But I’m not sure Ritter realizes that.

        I think the choices are Kennedy & Romanoff with a remote maybe for Perlmutter. They’re the only ones where we have an excellent chance of retaining the seat.

        John Salazar is a not both because he is less sure of a win and they want to hang on to CD-3.

  4. needs to PROVE he is a citizen first. From everything I have been hearing this morning, we do not know if he is even a LEGAL citizen of this great country. Maybe that explains his name.

    It will be a grand day if it is proven he isn’t and he is disqualified from running.

    Live will be good………..

          1. …since McCain went and got action from the Senate to declare him a US Citizen.

            http://www.washingtonpost.com/…

            I was born in Germany in the 60’s – and while I have a German Birth Certificate, I also have an Air Force Form   that states my citizenship, and a certificate from Landstuhl hospital.

            And while now you get the Dept of State birth certificate if you’re born under those circumstances, I still don’t have one. I have to request it, and send in a ton of paperwork….even though I have a passport

          2. There is an argument that McCain does not qualify too.  The question is what is a “native born” citizen?  Some question whether this allows McCain to be President since he was born in the Panama Canal Zone.  So, this is not a one sided issue.  Besides, the Supreme Court isn’t going to un-elect a President who was just elected.  Not even they are that stupid.

            Finally, this had been debunked over and over and over again.  My how desparate are the Republicans now?

            1. McCain is a US citizen. He can’t (or won’t) produce his birth certificate, but he’s got that Senate vote on his side.  

              The point the article makes is that there is no legal precedent for the normal policy of granting US citizenship to children born aboard to US servicemembers. It’s just assumed and done.

          3. My wife’s parents were missionaries and my wife was born in Brazil.

            My wife has duel citizenship.

            I have a friend who has one US parent and one English, born in England and he has duel.

            If both parents are US citizens no matter where the kid is born they are presumed to be US citizen.

            If you are born overseas and have 1 US and 1 foriegn.

            For persons born on or after November 14, 1986, a person is a U.S. citizen if all of the following are true:[4]

            1 One of the person’s parents was a U.S. citizen when the person in question was born;

            2.The citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the United States before his or her child’s birth; and

            3. At least 2 of these 5 years in the United States were after the citizen parent’s 14th birthday.

            A person’s record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of his or her citizenship. Such a person may also apply for a passport or a Certificate of Citizenship to have a record of his or her citizenship. Such documentation is often useful to prove citizenship in lieu of the availability of an American birth certificate.

            Different rules apply for persons born abroad to one U.S. citizen before November 14, 1986. United States law on this subject changed multiple times throughout the twentieth century, and the law as it existed at the time of the individual’s birth controls.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U…

            1. That took effect in 1986. There’s a lot of folks in that web of indecision on the part of the Feds…and at some point, more folks born overseas will be running for political office, and it seems one side of the aisle will make it a bogus campaign issue.

              It’s the equivalent of a state ballot initiative to clean up obsolete language in the Constitution. I wish someone would just pass a law that clears it up…

            2. Both parents were American.  IIRC they had one year to present themselves to the American consulate to make she was an American citizen.

              Also IIRC, there was some legal issue about McCain being born in the Canal Zone but it was more mental legal masturbation than anything.

              These Republican assholes like our friend here that refuse to believe that Obama is an American citizen, or say that he lost it because he went to Indonesia, or because his name is different are desparate and fools.

              President Obama.  Nice ring, no?  

    3. A paranoid-delusional reason, but somehow you managed to form your thoughts into (badly) typed words.

      After all, Sen. McCain was born in Panama – and he hasn’t released his birth certificate. And he had to cut a back-room deal in the Senate to be declared a US Citizen – isn’t that something you should spend your days investigating?

  5. If Ken goes out, then his brother moving up is a fairly natural fit, but the next rung on the ladder is a tougher guess.

    Romanoff is perfect for CD-1, but “Senator DeGette” (and nearly anyone else from Denver with the exception of Hick) would have a hard time defending the Senate seat.

    It might be early for Perlmutter, but he could handle a Senate defense, and the bench is very deep in CD-7.

    I think Beuscher -> Salazar -> Salazar is the easiest play, but it probably won’t come to that anyway. My money is on Sen. Salazar staying in the Senate.

    1. John Salazar holds CD-3 because he’s John Salazar; I’m not sure Beuscher can defend the seat, and he’d be a high-priority target in 2010.

      Sen. Romanoff is an appealing thought; he’d have a tough job in 2010 as well, but I believe he’s got what it takes to pull it off.

      Agree that “Sen. DeGette” is likely to be a hard sell to the rest of the state.

    2. As the ultimate political mercenary, she jumped off Hillary’s sinking ship and landed onto Obama’s health care team with unrepentant speed.

      I’m hoping that the Obama transition team sees the 400,000+ reasons not to put her anywhere near healthcare reform, but I fear that deals were cut between Hillary and Obama, and she’s the ugly offspring of those.

      The sole benefactor of that would be the people of CD-1, who would finally get a Representative who; give a shit about her constituents.

        1. …all she needs is confirmation from the Senate. She could then take her Health Care Lobbying efforts to a whole new level!

          And besides, I’d love to see Romanoff run in CD1

            1. She gets this election by default. But there’s a lot of popular Dems out there looking for a Congressional Seat, and DeGette has done her best to piss off the State Party with a number of her political misadventures….not to mention the people in her own district!

              Remember, she’s a product of the Chris Gates era. And payback is a bitch…

              1. She was elected in 1996 when Mike Beatty was the state chair.

                Chris Gates did not become chair until 2005.

                You may not like DeGette and certainly there are a lot who don’t, but she remains very popular with the vast number of her constituents.

                I’m not saying that at some point she could face a primary – anything can happen, and as they say in the NFL, on any given Sunday…..

                But I don’t see anyone with any profile at all jumping into a primary with DeGette anytime soon.

                Ramona Martinez tried twice to take DeGette out, and couldn’t.

                1. But the rest of your comment stands and is well-taken.

                  Pat Waak was elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2007.  Chris Gates preceded her, becoming Chair in 2003.

                  Also, SSG_Dan, say what you will about Chris – and I was one of those voting for Pat Waak in 2005 – but he has been very helpful to the CDP through his leadership institute.  Other people “of the Gates era” are still in leadership positions and are highly respected; I don’t think association to him has long coattails.

                  1. …for what they did to Mike Miles in 2004. It’s one thing for the Party to decide on a candidate regardless of who’s in the race, but it’s another to actively prevent another from running…much less fundraising.

                    AND the fact she could give a crap about what her constituents think.

                    1. Firstly, Mike Miles got top line coming out of the assembly and lost the primary.  DeGette had nothing to do with that.  And if you know anything about Colorado Democratic Politics, you will know that there is absolutely no love lost between Ken Salazar and Diana DeGette.  To suggest that she somehow would involve herself any a US Senate primary between Mike Miles and Ken Salazar – much less favoring Salazar over Miles – is naive at best.

                      DeGette’s great flaw (which you would probably agree) is that her primary interest is herself and her own reelection.  Frankly, I am guessing that she paid very little attention to what went on in that Senate race since it didn’t affect her.  And if she did, she probably would have been pulling for Miles because he was the more liberal candidate and as I said, there is no love lost between she and Salazar.  Among other things she thinks he is too conservative.

                      You can dislike DeGette, but at least dislike her reasons that are accurate not your wishful thinking.

                    2. …is…is….I forget.  Wait, who were we talking about?  Oh, yeah, Diana’s greatest flaw is….wait, Diana who?

                      (that’s her greatest flaw)

                  2. I forgot that Pat had been re-elected.

                    How time flies…….

                    To follow-up, DeGette took Pat Schroeder’s seat in the 96 election.

                    Mike Beatty, chair at the time, was succeeded by Tim Knaus, who made it his crusade to create (and got) a JeffCo House seat, which eventually Perlmutter won. Knaus was succeeded by Gates, and Gates succeeded by Waak.

                    To suggest that somehow Gates was responsible for DeGette’s election is just inaccurate.

    3. Romanoff is highly popular, and very well-known, outside of Denver.  He’s not seen as a “Denver-ite”.  He shows up pretty much everywhere in the state.  He’s probably the most popular Democrat who doesn’t have anywhere to go.  Obvious choice to replace Sen. Salazar.  Anything else makes it harder to keep that seat.

    4. I highly doubt that John would want the added burden of moving from Rep to Senator. He seems to be pretty content to continue his work as a farmer, doing some part-time work as United States Representative on the side. Btw, I think it is this attitude that makes JTS a perfect fit for the district.

  6. He can investigate the Justice Department scandal.

    Oh wait, he publicly supported his good friend Alberto Gonzales during his nomination, despite the Rovian red flags and torture memos.  

    1. When I met with him environmental issues were a very large part of the conversation. That is the issue that drives him in the Senate. Being able to take the lead on that for 8 years – I think he would find that irresistable.

      1. I mean, thinking long term here, if he takes it, it would most likely be his last political job.  Is that what he really wants?  Would Obama want to possibly put Colorado’s senate seat in play (and maybe his brother’s house seat, if Ritter were to appoint John?)?

        Personally, if Ken was appointed and John selected to fill the vacancy, it could be viewed as under-handed in the same way that Lisa Murkowski was appointed by her father to fill his seat.  It could just look bad, and make it look like Democratic politics in this state is now an insider game.

        Romanoff would fair well and would probably do well state wide.

        Kennedy seems weak to me.  She was barely elected in 2006 against a Republican with a weak resume in a Democratic year.  

        1. But do you really think if Salazar was offered the seat, but declined, he would be untouchable in a general election?

          Plus it’s really hard to say no to the President when they ask you to serve in their administration.

          1. Sorry, with discussing both Salazars and multiple seats, I’m not clear on what you mean by your question.

            It is hard to turn down the President when asked.  But some positions would be easier to turn down then others.  🙂  

            I suspect Salazar would have more pull in the Senate then he would as a second-tier cabinet secretary.  (First tier being SoS, Defense, Treasury, Homeland Security, Attorney General)

            1. Ken Salazar. In your parent post you insinuated that he could have the seat as long as he ran for re-election. Meaning that you think the GOP could never unseat him. I wanted you to expand  on that.

              1. Thanks for bringing me up to speed on that.

                I think Udall will have a harder time holding his seat then Salazar.  But in any case, I was speaking from Salazar’s perspective, who has to think he’s got a pretty good chance of holding his seat for life

        3. The Salazar’s are a true rags to success story. And Salazar sees where he comes from, what his parents did to set him up for his professional life, and how what he does is a reflection on all of that.

          Being a cabinet secretary is something he could not turn down as it is an amazing step in the road he has travelled. He may think he is considering it if offered, but I don’t see any way he says no. Some things are more important than raw politics.

        4. Cary Kennedy won a difficult down-ticket race before the Democratic voter registration numbers surged this year.  She is an appealing candidate who can win over swing voters throughout the state.

          Romanoff will be painted as a “Denver liberal” who weakened (or try to weaken) the “Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights.”  He has never run statewide and may be too urban for much of the state.

          Kennedy would be the Democrats’ strongest Senate candidate in 2010 if Salazar is out of office.

          1. when they vote for State Treasurer as they do for US Senate?

            You just criticized Romanoff’s immigration stance, but you say now that he’d be called a “Denver liberal”. Make up your mind.

            Oh and newsflash, “(insert city) Liberal” hasn’t worked very well in the 2008 Senate race. Do you think that would be an effective attack against someone who is far less liberal than Mark Udall? Not likely.

            1. Running downticket is more difficult than running for the Senate.  A downticket race is based more on party affiliation than knowledge of the candidate. Kennedy won statewide despite the lower Democratic registation numbers in 2006 compared with 2008 by running a smart campaign.  She would do even better in a statewide race once the voters got to know her.

              The Republicans would surely tar Romanoff with the “Denver liberal” brush.  What is not working in 2008 may succeed in an off-year election.  Two years is an eternity in politics.  Romanoff’s urbane style and wit may not translate well outside the metro area.  In contrast, Udall’s folksy laconic persona is effective statewide.

              Romanoff can counter the GOP’s attacks by pointing to his support for the anti-immigration legislation, although doing so runs the risk of alienating the Democratic base.  He’s not going to convince anyone he’s a moderate, however.

              1. Denver, right?

                And while I see what you’re driving at, running for a down ticket office isn’t harder then running for the Senate of the United States.

                Keep in mind that Kennedy ran against a guy who didn’t even have a college degree-that alone may have secured her victory-against someone who had experience and a good resume, Kennedy would in untested waters

  8. Add me to the list who immediately thought of Andrew Romanoff as the ideal replacement. I think many of you are over-thinking re-election odds. This state is turning blue in a hurry. Any half-reasonable Democrat with a 2 year incumbency advantage would still be very strong. I mean, Mark “Boulder liberal” Udall is about to win state-wide. So if Ritter is brave enough, he should pick Romanoff in this scenario.

    My second choice would probably be Hickenlooper. I don’t know enough about DeGette, but on US House seniority, she would have the edge and of course Romanoff could take a shot at CD-1. Of course, if Salazar stays in the Senate, Romanoff could move to Secretary of State to replace Coffman (though perhaps Ken Gordon?)…lord knows we need some competence there.

    1. not to have him representing Colorado in some fashion.

      This is all assuming Colorado goes for Obama, he manages to win the White House, and Ken Salazar is tapped for some sort of Cabinet-level position.

      But still, you summed it up well Bondo: Romanoff will be getting the chance to do something, it’s only a matter of variables.

  9. I can’t understand the negative posts about DeGette.  She has been a national leader on fully funding S-CHIP, federal support for stem cell research, renewable energy, consumer protection (she brokered the compromise on the Consumer Product Safety bill), and other issues.  She courageously voted against the war, the PATRIOT Act, and immunity for telecoms.  Her constituent service is first-rate.  DeGette is vice chair of a powerful committee and the only Coloradan in Congressional leadership.

    In contrast, Romanoff pushed the anti-immigrant legislation that passed several years ago.

    DeGette is popular in her District — as Ramona Martinez discovered when DeGette cleaned her clock in 2002.

    So why the attacks on DeGette?

Leave a Comment

Recent Comments


Posts about

Donald Trump
SEE MORE

Posts about

Rep. Lauren Boebert
SEE MORE

Posts about

Rep. Gabe Evans
SEE MORE

Posts about

Colorado House
SEE MORE

Posts about

Colorado Senate
SEE MORE

48 readers online now

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop with regular updates!