Posted on 09/05/2009 9:30:27 PM PDT by Lorianne
In 2008, Colorado became a symbol of the changing politics in a region once firmly in Republican hands -- and also of the grass-roots power and energy fueling Barack Obama's candidacy. Today, the state embodies the uneasiness spreading throughout Democratic ranks as Obama struggles with major challenges and the 2010 midterm elections approach.
Colorado has been one of the Democratic Party's major success stories. Between 1968 and 2004, Republican presidential candidates carried the state in all but one election. Last year, Obama crushed John McCain in Colorado, part of a broader shift in the balance of political power in the Rocky Mountain West.
Today, the energy that powered Obama to victory has begun to dissipate. Some of his supporters remain on the sidelines; others are, if not disillusioned, questioning what has happened to his presidency. As they look toward 2010, Democrats are nervous. Gov. Bill Ritter, appointed Sen. Michael F. Bennet and at least one Democratic member of the House will probably face difficult election campaigns next year.
"The political environment is tough for Democrats, tough for incumbents, tough for all politicians," Mike Stratton, a veteran Democratic strategist based in Denver, said a few days ago.
The Obama of 2008 seemed perfectly attuned to a state known for its youthfulness, future-oriented outlook and positive spirit. If he struggled at times with older voters in Rust Belt states, he always found a welcome in Colorado, easily defeating Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic caucuses before cruising past McCain in the general election.
Today, Coloradans appear more downbeat. Anxiety has replaced optimism. The recession has changed habits and attitudes. Obama's agenda has raised questions among independent voters because of its ambitious scope and potential impact on the deficit. His style has left some original supporters concerned about his toughness.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Colorado and Utah are sitting on top of Saudi-sized energy deposits that the Democrats have put off limits and continue putting off limits. The guy who jammed through the latest moratorium is O’s man at Interior where he can spread his poison to the whole country.
Dems in the intermountain area are lucky if they aren’t lynched. Out of work, billions under your feet, and nothing you can do about it?
Looks like more Acorn voters will be assigned to Colorado in 2010.
Yup - the Saudis had to get control of America with Obama because energy independence was a threat to them and their export Islam to destroy the west. The environmentalist and their attorneys are on Saudi payroll.
Hopefully the people in Colorado are waking up. Obama will destroy America.
I was thinking about the oil shale, but Montana is huge in coal. I remember the governor there was pushing coal-to-oil plants at one point.
I couldn’t believe it; Biden and Obama openly declared war on coal during the campaign, and the coal states still voted for him. Incredible.
Colorado is a grab bag. I lived there, in Boulder, worked in Denver.
Boulder is a haven for over-educated unambitious Ph.D’s driving cabs and whittling the night away.
Denver is a bit more cosmopolitan, southern Colorado is a haven for illegals.
Many are transplants from flat states, seeking snowboarding, parasailing off mountain tops, off trail skiing - they’re quite reckless and many meet their maker in the mountains.
A prime spot for ACORN - the drifter’s alone could change the color of the state.
If we do ANYTHING, get rid of ACORN !
All four of my brothers and sisters live in Colorado.
My one brother is a surveyor, who used to work on the Western Slope.
He is now a casualty of the Marxists now in power.
The scum of California, who killed their own state, are now infesting Idaho, Montana, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
oil shale?
Your last line is spot on.
I’m in the middle of them. Coloradans (except me) will do anything to keep uranium and oil from happening here. The State is ruled by many tiny corporations (some owned by Californians) that are focused on real estate feuds, regardless of where the economy goes.
Correction:
Coloradans (except me) will do anything to keep uranium and oil production from happening here.
It seems like the entire northeast and midwest are transplanting to the Phoenix metro area. It's alarming to sit in traffic and watch all these "foreign" license plates, not because they are "foreign" but because they are bringing their filthy politics along with them.
CHANGE BACK!!!!
Come to Houston if you want to see license plates from other states. They are everywhere. No wonder the state is moving left. Don’t understand why anyone would leave one state because they don’t like the politics but bring their liberal garbage with them. To all you Yankees - quit messin’ with Texas.
You mean *liberal* Yankees. The enemy here is an ideology, not a demographic. As much as I loathe the politics of Massachusetts, I love New England, just as I'm sure, you love it down there, and we *both* have our own homegrown liberals...
When the WaPo says the situation is questionable for Democrats that means its actually a disaster for them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.