Can Hickenlooper Save "Kumbaya?"

10 Comments

by: Colorado Pols

With the GOP-controlled House and Democratic-held Senate going their separate ways on competing “compromise” congressional redistricting maps, FOX 31’s Eli Stokols reports:

With neither side happy with the other’s latest maps, Republicans are planning to pass their map in the GOP-controlled House while Democrats pass theirs in the Senate where they have the majority.

Both sides know it’s a total charade — that both bills, as they’re written now, will be killed when they move to the opposite chamber.

Enter Hickenlooper, who some folks have been urging to either take sides or play peacemaker in this inherently partisan process…

“Even though the clock is ticking, there ought to be room for compromise and agreement before the legislative session ends. It is the right thing to do for the people of Colorado.”

Both map bills passed their respective committees yesterday, but each looks certain to quickly die in the opposing chamber as soon as they arrive–despite the fact that the sides are, at least superficially, closer now than they have been at any point. What we hear suggests that Hickenlooper would genuinely prefer for the two sides to reach a compromise, and is pushing harder than one would expect if he is as resigned to failure as most observers.

Hickenlooper has reaffirmed his support for competitive districts in recent interviews, a central Democratic principle. But he’s also aware, like Republicans, that legislative failure and a judicial remedy could well result in a better map for Democrats than a legislative compromise might yield. That fact, which has been the case from the outset, may yet give Republicans an incentive to come back to the table before session’s end. If Hickenlooper really can make the proverbial lion lay down with the lamb as advertised, it’s tough to imagine a better way to prove it.

We’ll update through the weekend with any new developments.

10 thoughts on “Can Hickenlooper Save “Kumbaya?””

ArapaGOP says:

May 7, 2011 at 12:30 am

Democrats have shown themselves to be the shady players in this redistricting battle. If Hickenlooper can walk back their insane gerrymandering maps to something reasonable and fair to rural Colorado, it will be great for the Democrat brand.

But not enough to negate the damage you’ve done to your reputations.

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1. Dan Willis says:
  
  May 7, 2011 at 1:25 am
  
  It has clearly been the Dems who are holding the hard line here. And the point where they are making their stand does NOT have statutory or even judicial back-up.
  
  The current GOP map (HB1319) is more than fair to the Dems and it sticks to the statutory requirements.
  
  I testified in the House committee last night I have been on the opposite side of mu party thoughout this process and I hate it. But I feel I have to stand on the side of the law and not with that of partisan desire.
  
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  1. ArapaGOP says:
    
    May 7, 2011 at 2:00 am
    
    Shout it from the rooftops, Dan! How commendable.
    
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Ralphie says:

May 7, 2011 at 4:30 am

Because I don’t like the option, but…

“See you in court.”

It’s time for our legislators to start acting like grownups. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening this year. Maybe in ten more years.

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1. gertie97 says:
  
  May 7, 2011 at 5:22 am
  
  as long as we have term limits.
  
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  1. DavidThi808 says:
    
    May 7, 2011 at 4:21 pm
    
    When you’re only there for a couple of years you’ve got to compromise to get things through before you leave.
    
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    1. RedGreen says:
      
      May 7, 2011 at 4:54 pm
      
      When legislators’ tenures were open ended, they were far more likely to develop long-term, working relationships with members across the aisle. And when they knew they couldn’t simply wait a session or two for an opponent to be termed out, they got down to business and hammered out compromises to get their legislation through.
      
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      1. Dan Willis says:
        
        May 7, 2011 at 5:44 pm
        
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      2. BlueCat says:
        
        May 7, 2011 at 6:01 pm
        
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      3. MtSherman says:
        
        May 7, 2011 at 9:18 pm
        
        I think even getting just one more term before having to move on to the next office would be helpful to giving legislators a sense that everyone is here for the long term. After all how many State Reps do not go on to run for State Senator? And it might be an easier sell to the voters than just dumping term limits.
        
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