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Ken Salazar Likely To Remain Senator

by: Colorado Pols

Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:10:06 PM MST

Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar's name appears to be falling off the list of likely nominees this week, although the first-term Democrat campaigned vigorously for Obama in this battleground state and has said he wants a Westerner to head Interior.
Two weeks ago, Salazar told reporters he had not discussed the Interior appointment with anyone from Obama's staff and a spokesman Monday said nothing had changed since that press conference...
Salazar has not said he wants to join the Obama cabinet but was put on the list of possible nominees almost by default, given his high-profile battles with the Bush administration over oil shale development in the West, public lands and water. This week, national newspapers are ranking Reps. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., as prominent contenders to head Interior, with Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., and popular Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer as possible nominees...

More concretely, the Denver Post reports:

Sen. Ken Salazar hopes to draw a few hundred people Friday to his $1,000-per-plate party at the Denver Performing Arts Complex...
Salazar and Ritter should have easier elections than before, but that raises challenges of its own, Saunders said.
"The real problem is selling the fact that there's going to be a competitive race that they'll need the cash for." [Pols emphasis]

Bring it on, Salazar haters, we're leaving the door wide open for you. But yes, based on conversations we've also had, it looks like Sen. Salazar wants to remain just that--four years at Interior just doesn't have the same long-term appeal as retiring from the Senate after a couple of decades.

On a related note, what's up with this new rumor about Ken's brother Rep. John Salazar on the list for Agriculture Secretary? The rumor is for real--we've got it from unconnected sources now. But is this in any way realistic? We're working on that--if you don't hear from us again about it, the answer was obviously "no."

Colorado Pols :: Ken Salazar Likely To Remain Senator

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Ken Salazar Likely To Remain Senator | 20 comments

I was really hoping for some good political theater

So I want one of them to be appointed, though Ken Salazar's appointment would be much more entertaining!

by: Haners @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:25:53 PM CST

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Wouldn't

a primary challenger to Ken Salazar be the most entertaining political theater of all?

"I'll take incompetence over a business model incentivised to kill me any day." -- DtR(H)

by: redstateblues @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:35:18 PM CST

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Theater of the absurd

by: RedGreen @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:36:34 PM CST

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Only if it were a credible challenger

Like Ritter....That would be awesome to watch. 0% chance of happening, but it would be the clash of the titans!

Speaking of good things to watch-I read an article today that talked about Palin challenging Murkowski for the Senate seat coming up in 2010. Palin hasn't made any moves, but Murkowski seems scared as hell about it.

Oh, and in Texas-a recount will decide the control of the House of Representatives. The number of votes between the two candidates-20 votes.

by: Haners @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 14:18:30 PM CST

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Salazar would crush Ritter statewide.

...given that it'll never happen, it's easy to make predictions!

by: Jambalaya @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 18:50:31 PM CST

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My hat is off to Roger D

who correctly predicted John Salazar would be in the running for Ag.

"I'll take incompetence over a business model incentivised to kill me any day." -- DtR(H)

by: redstateblues @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:39:32 PM CST

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Thanks for the kudo

However it may end up being Interior for John.

Ag I think is going to either Vilsack or Harkin.

And in the end, nothing is certain till it happens.

As I have said all along, Ken is not leaving the Senate, at this time.

However if a Supreme Court appointment opens up, ............

by: Roger D @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:26:06 PM CST

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Vilsack is out

According to reports from last week

by: Haners @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:27:01 PM CST

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Thanks, hadn't heard that

Ag could still be a possibility for JS.

With this thread and the one about Hickenlooper, I think everyone will be surprised if there is not a high-profile appointment coming out of Colorado.

So who is it and what is the position?

by: Roger D @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:31:27 PM CST

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That's a good question

May our Lt. Gov? She's not really doing anything right now....

by: Haners @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:11:15 PM CST

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I don't

see Harkin giving up his seat.

I'd also heard that unsuccessful Nebraska Senate candidate Scott Kleeb was in the running for Ag Secty.

"But when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, 'Oh, shut up!' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining." Glenn Beck

by: Arvadonian @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 16:52:44 PM CST

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Didn't Obama say in the debates

that he would prefer someone with judicial experience to serve on the SCOTUS?

"I'll take incompetence over a business model incentivised to kill me any day." -- DtR(H)

by: redstateblues @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:31:46 PM CST

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I'm not suggesting it would be offered, just saying

The one thing that might tempt KS to leave the Senate is the Supreme Court.

by: Roger D @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 16:34:37 PM CST

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I'm a major Grijalva...

fan. He'd be great at interior, but I'd prefer to see him run for AZ governor in two years.

John Salazar needs to stay right where he is in congress. We need that seat and if he leaves, it likely flips.

"But when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, 'Oh, shut up!' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining." Glenn Beck

by: Arvadonian @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 16:08:19 PM CST

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What about Buescher?

He lost the State rep. seat, but he could give Penry or anyone else a run for their money in CD-3.

Of course, that would require him to move back to the West Slope if he does end up becoming CSU Chancellor (which would require him to live and work in the Denver Metro area.)

Your concern is warranted though. It would be a tough race if John left.

"I'll take incompetence over a business model incentivised to kill me any day." -- DtR(H)

by: redstateblues @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 16:12:32 PM CST

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The third

is a safe seat for JS. However, it is winnable by the right Democrat.

Udall carried the 3rd, despite being blasted at every turn as a Boulder Liberal.

More interesting is the fact that the Democratic candidate for State Board of Ed in the 3rd only lost by 3000 votes.

Also, before she ran for the State Senate, Gail Schwartz ran successfully for Board of Regents in the 3rd.

Yes it is a tough race for any Dem other than JS, but not impossible and with the right candidate and campaign it is very winnable.

by: Roger D @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 16:39:10 PM CST

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INow that salazar is out

I think Grijalva is almost a lock.

Besides his great long credentials on te environment he has a great personal story.

Latinos, who helped deliver the election for Obama really want to see more Latinos in the cabinet.

I think Ken is more qualified, but Raul has a great personal story and he is qualified (and in a safe district)

by: Danny the Red (hair) @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 19:56:40 PM CST

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But that name! It's worse than mine.

"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd." -Bertrand Russell

by: parsingreality @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 20:53:32 PM CST

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Siloes of Hope,

my friends, that's grain you can believe in!

by: CJ @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 22:14:53 PM CST

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Good for Salazar and good for employees