Ok, here's the deal.

[coloradodem2005]

In 2006 we have the opportunity to recapture the Governor's mansion and take the 7th congressional district. Bob Beauprez plans to run for Governor as far as I know he does anyway. He may be endangering his relationship with his party. But the fact is, he is a threat. Yes it is true that in 2002, he only won his seat by 121 votes, and in 2004, he was running against Thomas who after the Columbine stuff came to light, he was a dead duck. But, he knows how to play dirty. People make like he is the strongest link between Colorado and the Republican party. All the more reason to take him out. If he runs for Gov, CD 7 is open and with increased Democratic registration in that district, we could use it as a stepping stone to recapturing the house. But he would be running for governor. Hickenlooper may be the strongest potential candidate now, but the problem is, being Mayor of Denver wields a lot more power than Governor of Colorado. That might be incentive not to run for Hick. Rutt Bridges may be strong, but from what I heard, he is not a good campaigner. Andrew Romanoff might be a contender, but from what I heard, he is not making very many friends at the capital and we need to worry about getting TABOR reform passed first. But November 2006 is just around the corner and we need to start identifying how we need to deal with it.

[politicat]

1. What about:

Wellington Webb?
Stephanie Takis?
(If we can convince her to jump ship) Mary Lou Makepeace? (She's a moderate R from Colorado Springs who is far more of the Lincoln-Teddy Roosevelt R than today's idiots.)

Beauprez should be easy to beat - he's done real damage, especially by not taking on the Federal funding disparity.

[coloradodem2005]

2. People don't seem to know this.

He has painted himself as a moderate even though he votes 98% with Bush. The attitude about Beauprez we had in 2004 is part of the reason that we lost that race and Thomas turned out to be a weak candidate who's connection to Columbine killed his candidacy. Many Dems are now saying that we mustn't underestimate Beauprez, or the Republican machine's ability to finance him and prop him up.

[Damien]

4. misunderestimate him?

maybe we just need to show him for the extreamist he is -- a lot of republicans are getting fed up with bush, so if he votes along those lines we just need to show how similiar they are.

[paulk]

3. do you know if Rutt Bridges is going to run for Gov?

He would have the money to take on the RNC.

I'm not sure that he'd be my first choice, but I could get behind him...

[coloradodem2005]

5. It's a possibility.

It isn't confirmed though.

[DaveinMD]

6. I think

everyone is waiting on Hickenlooper. At least, that's what I've been reading.

[coloradodem2005]

7. Well, like I said.

Hick probably wields more power over Denver as Mayor than he would over Colorado as Governor. He may not want to give that up. Though Beauprez seems pretty afraid of him.