Politics in the West

If John Hickenlooper, the mayor of Denver (above) appears to be an unconventional politician, it's because he is. But, he's become typical of Democratic politicians in the New West. He loves microbrew beer (started Denver's first brewpub) and the Mountain West (hails from Pennsylvania before becoming an oil geologist based in Denver), and he isn't afraid to make his voice heard. He, and his city, are basking in the national spotlight this summer as the Democratic National Convention, which he helped woo, comes to Denver. I recently asked Mayor Hickenlooper about his transitions and about politics in the region.

NewWest.Net: You're an East Coast guy, from Pennsylvania, right? Product of a small, East Coast liberal arts college?

Mayor Hickenlooper: Yup

NW: How did you choose to be a Westerner? How did that happen?
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GOP Counts on Pro-Life Vote

Will Amendment 48, the pro-life ballot measure that will be voted on in the November election, cost Barack Obama Colorado?

That’s one possibility raised in recent days by local politicos eyeing the fall presidential race. , At the same time we are witnessing what the Grand Junction Sentinel calls “a fundamental realignment of the formerly reliably Republican Rocky Mountain West.”
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Introducing...

The best way to check out The New West magazine is to subscribe. We want to know who’s interested in The New West, so we have made the magazine available free to qualified subscribers who answer a short questionnaire.

• Click here for the questionnaire for a free subscription.
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In the Spring Issue and online here:

• Montana’s Cash Cowboy
• Real Ranch Living: Not Everyone is Selling Out
• Essay: The Family Farm, Version 2.0
• Essay: Tracks Across A Landscape
• Have Your Ranch & Develop It, Too
• Design Showcase: The Big and Little of Western Building
• Stuff It: Can Wolf Hunting Help Conserve the Species?
• Traffic Perplexes New Western Communities
• Boise in Its Own Little Bubble
• Revenge of the Resource Economy
• Spotlight North Idaho: On the Agenda: Youth, Growth & Silver
• Spotlight North Idaho: Players of the Panhandle
• Spotlight North Idaho: Coeur d’Alene Tribe Rides the Idaho Boom

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By Robert Struckman, 2-01-08 | comments (23) | email story | print story

 

Rocky Mountain Political Grok

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter made headlines last week with his executive order establishing a bargaining partnership with state employees. The move drew sharp criticism from the Colorado GOP, who vow to introduce a bill to repeal the order, and the Denver Post, which said in an editorial that this may be the “beginning of the end” for the Democrat.

On Monday, Ritter also announced an aggressive plan to fight global warming that included clean car standards, updated farming techniques and encouraging citizens to reduce their carbon footprint.

In other news, presidential candidate, Ron Paul, set a Republican single-day fundraising record on Nov. 5. He raised $4.2 million from 37,000 online donors.

Also, Mitt Romney wins Teton County, Wyo. Republican straw poll, gaining 61 percent of the vote, well ahead of second place Rudy Giuliani’s 12 percent, and Mike Huckabee’s 10 percent.

In Utah, former President Bill Clinton stumps for his wife’s campaign.
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Oops, he did it again

Utah Representative Chris Cannon’s latest gaffe landed him on MSNBC anchorman Keith Olbermann’s Worst Person in the World list. Of course, Cannon only brought home the silver, but still – way to make Utah proud, Canny.

His offense?Well, over the weekend, during an appearance of the “Fox News Sunday” program, Cannon argued that U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was forced to resign not because of political reasons, but “because he’s an idiot.”

Wow. What a persuasive argument, Chris. Of course Cannon is used to making infantile, off the cuff remarks like this one – and what’s more Utahns are used to hearing about them – Has anyone forgotten how he flippantly blamed the teenage interns for the harassment perpetrated upon them by former U.S. Representative Mark Foley? No, this isn’t the first time and knowing Cannon, it won’t be the last. [more]

Ready to Run

When Democratic presidential candidates start making campaign stops in the Beehive state, you have to ask yourself – are pigs flying? Has hell frozen over? Well they aren’t building igloos in hell just yet, so what in the heck is John Edwards doing in Salt Lake City?

According to The Salt Lake Tribune Edwards scored around $100,000 in a little over three hours at a private fundraising event at The Depot last Saturday. Not too shabby for the reddest little state in the Union. [more]

Representin' with Ralph - A Podcast

Salt Lake City Mayoral candidate Ralph Becker is a fixture in Utah politics, representing District 24 in the Utah State House of Representatives for over 10 years and currently serving as House Minority Leader. An outspoken Democrat, Becker has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle while standing his ground on issues such as the Energy Policy Act and his current bid to ban gifts to legislators from lobbyists.

I recently sat down with Mr. Becker at his campaign headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City. We discussed his decision to run for mayor and his thoughts on education, the Utah Transit Authority, and of course, Rocky Anderson.
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Rocky Punch

Ding! Ding! The fight is on between Salt Lake City Mayor, liberal cause-celeb Rocky Anderson and right-wing-broken record Sean Hannity. Friday night, the two will verbally duke it out at the University of Utah’s Kingsbury Hall in front of a sold out audience…for charity (awwww).

Just so we’re clear – Kingsbury Hall seats around 2000 people and it sold out - in a matter of minutes. I have to say, that’s a lot of butts filling a lot of seats just to see a local hero/villain debate a mildly celebrated Fox News “haircut.”
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The War at Home

According to the Deseret Morning News 20,000 guests are expected to attend Vice President Dick Cheney’s Brigham Young University commencement speech later this afternoon. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders are expected to meet with the Vice President shortly after he arrives.

At least three demonstrations opposing Cheney's visit are expected; including an alternative commencement hosted by BYU students featuring Ralph Nader. [more]

Why Utah Is Cool

Whatever quaint notions folks like to harbor about Utah and Utahns – we’ve got chutzpa. Whatever side of the issue a Utahn is on – they’re on it – with bells on. Bells, whistles, megaphones, microphones… you name the noisemaker and I’ll point you to a Utahn with a point of view.

After 12 years in Utah, I’ve finally made peace with the division and derision that takes place in this beautiful state – because that which separates us is the essence of what makes us so distinctive, so unique and so cool. Yeah, you read correctly– I said cool. [more]