Why Armstrong? Why Polis?
7/21/2008 - 7:39am
As a state senator 1998-2005, I served in government with most of the congressional primary contenders in both the 6th CD, being vacated by Tom Tancredo, and the 2nd CD, being vacated by Mark Udall.
Mike Coffman, Republican front-runner in the 6th, gave me a leg up to succeed him in the Senate. Ted Harvey, one of his rivals, was among my closest allies over in the House. Joan Fitz-Gerald, battling two other Democrats in the 2nd, was Minority Leader when I was Senate President. I think well of all of them as to abilities and character, and could say the same for Will Shafroth in the 2nd and Steve Ward in the 6th.
Yet my endorsement to the GOP nomination to succeed Tancredo is the "other guy," businessman Wil Armstrong. And I told Denver Post readers this week my rooting interest -- not an endorsement, he wouldn't want it -- for the Dem nod to succeed Udall is also the businessman of that field, Jared Polis.
Why those picks, the less likely picks as some might see it? Here's my column spelling out the reasons.
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Congress and Democrats...
I read your article linked above. I'm not sure what your intended point was other than the usual "Everything is the Democrats fault". Yes, a business background can be useful to a government servant. So can vision, thoughtfulness and decency - all of which too many Republican politicians lack. There are other virtues more important than knowing how to make money.
You suggest the new Democratic congress has failed? I disagree. They've inherited the mess the Republicans left behind, and they still have to contend with the worst president in American history and a malignant Republican minority still large enough to obstruct progress at every turn. I hope and pray that will change after the next election. We'll see. Unfortunately, the last two elections have given Americans little reason to have faith in our democracy or election process. Republican's interest in holding on to the office of Secretary of State across the country, thereby controlling the administration of the election, is interesting. Could that have been they key to the last two Republican victories?
Generally, I find the total absence of humility among Republicans who so clearly failed to govern with honesty, wisdom and decency kind of sad. Republicans used to be better people.