John Salazar to the cabinet?

Dominos (0.00 / 0)

John is a member of the CHC, and so what does this mean?

Is he competing with Ken for a slot on the cabinet? It is hugely unlikely that Obama would choose them both.

Is this a Salazar Bros. fallback plan? Does Ken either not want, or knows already he will not get, one of the remaining high ranking positions.

At any rate, this adds another exit strategy for Bernie Buescher. His best bet before was a Ritter appointment, and a longshot chance for John's seat if John filled a vacancy left by Ken. If John opens up the seat himself, then the game is on for CO-03 and will be one of the fiercest fights in the US next cycle.

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by: Aaron Silverstein @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 12:52:05 PM CST

Um (4.00 / 1)

Salazar already said he wants to stay in the Senate and wouldn't seek a cabinet position (which incidentally works out great because it means we can continue the debate about his re-election.)

What's wrong with John? I think he'd be an excellent Ag Secretary. Do you guys not like John either?

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by: redstateblues @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 12:57:13 PM CST

No debate here about his re-election (4.00 / 2)

Just speaking for me, I don't see how we won't have Sen. Salazar as the Democratic nominee and I don't see how the Republicans have any shot at beating him. I think that 2010 will be one long victory lap for him and presents a real problem going forward for the GOP as they try to reconstitute themselves in the face of a Ritter/Salazar year.

As to Ken saying he doesn't want it, I might be a cynic, but I have found it useful to ignore when politicians publicly claim they are not seeking a position. At least, I ignore the part where they say it is their choice. Sometimes it is a good insight into what they think the current odds are. It is like when they say they are leaving a job to spend more time with their families. Suuuure...

I think John would make an excellent Ag Secretary as well, and I hope he gets the job. I disagree with the Blue Dogs on many things, but I think that Salazar has the right experience and talents to be a strong Secretary of Agriculture. The only misgiving I have is about our ability to hold that House seat without him, but that is a bridge we will have to eventually cross anyhow (or redistrict away) so I don't think of it as a deal breaker.  

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by: Aaron Silverstein @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 13:24:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I think Bernie Buescher could win (0.00 / 0)

his recent state house loss not withstanding.

Very true about ignoring when politicians claim they don't want a position. Definitely not cynical--it's usually true. I just happen to think that Ken is being honest here.

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by: redstateblues @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 14:23:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

John Salazar (4.00 / 1)

This is from an email that went out this week from the Humane Society Legislative Fund opposing the nomination of John Salazar:

...we oppose Representative John Salazar, as he has been hostile to a wide range of animal protection policies, including efforts to halt the trophy hunting of polar bears and to protect wild horses from slaughter. Salazar was even aligned with former Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo in an attempt to weaken the Endangered Species Act.

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by: bco gal @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 14:22:21 PM CST

If it is in the Denver Post... (5.00 / 1)

IT MUST BE TRUE!!!

Don't underestimate John Salazar's effectiveness in the 3rd.  He runs 15-20 points above the average Democrat.  That district goes from being a safe Democrat to a likely Republican in one election cycle.

Given that we are likely to have one dogfight already trying to re-elect Betsey Markey against a reasonable human being, I think this makes the 3rd really tough without John Salazar.

I'd much prefer Ken Salazar as Sec. of Interior, where I trust his instincts far more and where he doesn't upset Colorado's electoral balance in one cycle.

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by: Ralphie @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 14:51:32 PM CST

You dare doubt the veracity of a Denver Post article??? (0.00 / 0)

A pox on thee Ralphie!

I guess it's just typical Western Slope elitism. Always forgetting about and questioning us Metro area people.  :)

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by: redstateblues @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 15:07:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't think the 3rd is doomed with John (0.00 / 0)

It'll be a tough hold, but I think that Bernie would give anyone a run for their money.

What about Gail Schwartz? She's got a small ranch/farm out near Gunnison. Are there any popular Hispanic officials on the slope who are less incompetent than Abel Tapia?

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by: adamk @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 16:57:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]

i know it's already been said... (0.00 / 0)

...but just as a question of reelection strategy, the house seat is a more manageable loss than a senate seat--particularly in a situation where ds hold a subastantial lead in the house.

"outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. inside of a dog it's too dark to read." --groucho marx

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by: fake consultant @ Thu Dec 04, 2008 at 11:55:34 AM CST

The thing is... (4.00 / 1)

...I'd feel more comfortable with him staying put.  I don't know what to make of the accusations that HSLF is leveling at him, but he might be the only reasonable voice on the Western Slope while the Oil and Gas industry still has a stranglehold out there.  The question is, if he takes it, can Bernie Buescher take it in a special election?

If You Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules!!!!

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by: CO Democrat @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 22:15:22 PM CST

Orange Cloud at Kos weighs in. (0.00 / 0)

I like her (I think OC is a her) writing on food safety and ag. OC is not too happy with JS as the 'likely' choice. There are two columns from OC on the Ag postion this past week.

Here and here.

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by: greenchiledem @ Sun Dec 07, 2008 at 16:14:35 PM CST