Sen. Salazar Again Tops Interior Department "Short List"

Win-win?

I've been saying for quite some time that Ken Salazar would be appointed as SecInt.  This is a great fit for Ken, as he is both knowledgeable and passionate about the issues handled by the Interior Department.

It is a "win-win" for progressives in Colorado, because Salazar is progressive on Interior issues (if not much else) and because his replacement is virtually certain to be more progressive than he on almost everything else.

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by: CJ @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 08:32:08 AM CST

Unless it's Congressman Salazar

Then we'll continue to get the pragmatic, centrist-minded real leadership that Colorado has come to expect and admire in Senator Salazar.

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by: Jeff Bridges @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:18:26 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I'll believe it when I see it

My money is still on Salazar staying in the Senate.

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

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by: redstateblues @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 08:38:41 AM CST

Oh please let him stay in the Senate.

I'm hoping and praying for Representative Raul Grijalva from Arizona. His background on the environment is incredibly progressive, with an eye to making it economically feasible to protect the environment. He's done great work with local tribes including Hopi and Navajo. His environmental record is one of the best on the Hill. He's outstanding. And he's from the West. And he's Hispanic.

He's an incredible choice.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 09:45:18 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Ken has consistently

told those close to him that he wanted to stay in the Senate.  He also was pushing very hard for his brother to go to Ag.

Of course in politics, things can change in a heartbeat.  I believe it has and this is now real.

The chain reaction that a John Salazar appointment to Ag would have created in the 3rd, will by exponentially greater if Ken Salazar actually goes to Interior (which I think he will).

Will John Salazar now go to the Senate?

Hickenlooper?  Romanoff?  

If Ritter thought he had his hands full sorting through those that want to be SoS, wait till the line develops for a US Senate seat.

What are the odds, he forms a commission to forward three names to him?

If he does that, of course, he avoids any suggestion of the Illinois syndrome.

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 09:27:17 AM CST

You know, all joking aside,

I'll take Ritter's method of open transparency regarding appointing a new SofState any day over the politics as usual from my home state, who is about to win top prize this year as the most corrupt statewide political machine in the Union.

As for Salazar becoming Secretary of Interior, this would afford Ritter the opportunity to appoint a new Senator who could potentially be much more progressive than Salazar is. That would also be a nice solution for the left fringe that insists we much get rid of Salazar with a primary challenger.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 09:51:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Right on target

I agree with your position completely. I'd rather see an open process based on an open application system than a few people in a back room making the decision or advising the Governor.

If Senator Salazar goes to Interior, I think Senator Romanoff sounds good.

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by: Republican 36 @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 09:57:45 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That's who I'd like to see, too.

Romanoff is a good man and has a real knack for listening to people and weighing options carefully.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:06:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Salazar for Salazar?

So if Rep. Salazar's appointment to the Appropriations committee was really as important for Colorado as he was claiming, how does it make sense for the Governor to appoint him to Senate?

I think John should stay in the CD-3 seat if he really wants to give the Western Slope a voice at a national level.

Hick still has 3 years of a mayoral term to serve out.

Romanoff sounds pretty good to me.

It would also make the Secretary Buescher more and more likely.

I still think Ken will stay in the Senate, but it might be hard if his close, personal friend, the new President, calls him and gives him an offer he can't refuse.

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

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by: redstateblues @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:06:14 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Or Rep. Salazar becomes Senator,

Mr. Buescher goes to Washington and Secretary Romanoff stays here to run for Gov. when Ritter's done.

"I'm all naked and wet!" - Homer Simpson

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by: droll @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:53:47 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Leaving the House

Right after he's given that seat on Appropriations will not happen. It just won't.

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by: adam.kretz @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:11:00 AM CST

[ Parent ]

But everything would wrap up so nicely that way.

"I'm all naked and wet!" - Homer Simpson

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by: droll @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 19:36:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If Salazar leaves the Senate

The matter of his replacement becomes very simple: Who can win re-election? Ritter will make the appointment, but the DSCC will have a major say in who gets the nod.  

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by: Colorado Pols @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:05:47 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Joan Fitz-Gerald for Senate

Fitz-Gerald is the logical choice.

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by: dewitt @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 09:54:34 AM CST

Do not even begin to hold your breath! n/t

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 09:56:21 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't see that happening.

Frankly, I don't really want it to, either. She has openly stated she is retiring from political life. She has been a wonderful advocate for the state of Colorado. I'd like to see her leave on a high note, not fill a Senate seat that in two years she would probably lose.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:11:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

But

Who are some female pols who could win an election? It would be nice to finally have a woman Senator from Colorado.

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

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by: redstateblues @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:15:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I agree about a woman

but JFG will not be it.

I like Alice Madden, but another Boulderite would have a tough time in 2010.

Ken Salazar can make the argument that you should replace a hispanic with a hispanic for the sake of diversity and not just pick a white male.  A woman could help offset that argument, but I don't know who it is.

There is another long shot and that is former Mayor Wellington Webb.  He really wanted to be Senator before.  That is extremely unlikely, but hey, you will see all sorts of names pop up.

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:21:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

jfg could win state wide

That she couldn't win a CD2 primary says nothing about her winnability statewide.  She would win re-election and she would be a great Senator.

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by: dewitt @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 15:14:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It would, indeed.

But, off the top of my head, I can't think of anybody that has the name recognition right now. If a woman was appointed to that seat, she has two years to build a name for herself so that's one way to raise the recognition, I suppose.

Qualifications wise, JFG seems a great pick. But after losing in CD2, I see her as too vulnerable.

What about DeGette? How do you think she would she do in a race outside CD5, redstateblues? She has name recognition because of her work on stem cell research, that's for certain. I guess I've always perceived her as a somewhat weak candidate outside her district but that may be a misconception on my part. I'm pretty happy with her representation so she'd be an option I'd welcome.

Off topic, did you go to the Pols rendevous yesterday?

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:21:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

DeGette can't win state-wide.

Firstly, she is entirely too liberal, and she has never had a tough race and I am not sure she knows how to run outside of Denver.

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:25:05 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That's kind of my perception of her, too.

I would like to hear some others weigh in about her.

Some pluses for appointing her: she would be a great Senator and obviously, we could hold CD5 with a Democrat so we'd be in no danger of losing a House seat in 2 years in an election. Does Romanoff live in CD5? I think he does. If so, he'd be the perfect replacement for her and would more than likely win re-election in two years and hold that seat as long as he liked. Being appointed to the US House would be a great political move up the ladder for him.

A win win for Democrats, that's for sure.

The downside to puting John Salazar in is this: I think if he's appointed, you'll see the Republicans sink some serious cash into trying to put CD3 back in their column. It would create a genuine pick up opportunity for them.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:37:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm sure you mean CD1

CD5 is El Paso County

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:43:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I do! Thank you, Roger.

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:05:20 AM CST

[ Parent ]

DeGette DOA on Western Slope

No way, no how does DeGette make any inroads on the West Slope. She's too Denver, not trusted on water and not trusted on wilderness.

Romanoff, on the other hand, could cut into Republican strengths in the state's hinterlands.

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by: gertie97 @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:43:14 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Not sure why

Andrew is pretty liberal and then there's the whole "confirmed batchelor" thing.

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by: BoulderDem @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:58:10 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I am reasonably sure the "confirmed batchelor thing" would not hurt him.

He is extraordinarily popular with female voters. His being unmarried makes him even more attractive.

If you implying "confirmed batchelor" = "gay", I'm pretty sure you're barking up the wrong tree - so says the "gay lumberjack" :)

Democrats Unite! After all, it's only the future at stake.

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by: Dan Willis @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 14:06:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Don't underestimate DeGette

DeGette ran at least three tough races -- her 1996 primary against Tim Sandos (whom Wellington Webb endorsed), the 1996 general election against Joe Rogers, and the 2002 primary against Ramona Martinez -- and won all three decisively.  The press thought Sandos or Doug Friednash would succeed Pat Schroeder.  Remember the New York Times article and Denver Post editorial about how Joe Rogers could win in a Democratic stronghold?  Both the Post and News endorsed Rogers.  DeGette outhustled the guys and proved the pundits wrong on election day.

DeGette is no more liberal than Udall, Romanoff, or Hick.  Her bipartisanship on the stem cell bill will play well on the Western slope.  Her wilderness bill is very popular among the County Commissioners and voters in that part of the state.  She is a fundraising machine.

Would she want it?  Probably not.  She'd lose twelve years of seniority, a leadership position, and a plum committee assignment.

If Salazar goes to Interior, the Gov. should consider Cary Kennedy, Peter Groff, or Terrance Carroll.  They would all make solid Senators.  It's time to consider someone other than a white male for a statewide position.

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by: ColoDem @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:20:02 AM CST

[ Parent ]

None of those was a tough race.

Joe Rogers, in Denver?!  Ramona Martinez has never won anything outside of her small Denver neighborhood.  And Tim Santos?  Who? He's really gone on to great things......

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by: Jambalaya @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 20:57:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

DeGette

Wouldn't win statewide. Besides, I don't think she'd risk losing her Congresswoman-for-life status.

How about Cary Kennedy? She doesn't have the name ID necessarily, but she's won statewide office.

I did not go because my I've got a pretty nasty cold. My wife took good care of me yesterday though, so I feel a little better.

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

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by: redstateblues @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:38:41 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh bummer.

I'm sorry you didn't get to go. I was hoping someone that attended would give the dish today. :)

It was horribly miserable yesterday. A good day to stay home and nap.

Hope you are feeling a bit better, my friend.

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:43:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Hey that's a good idea

Never even thought of Cary.

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by: BoulderDem @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:00:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Possible Senate replacement

Cary Kennedy. Gives us someone who has won state-wide and avoids the 2 white male senators problem.

Tom Tancredo Interview

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by: DavidThi808 @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:29:49 AM CST

Good point.

I think Ritter likes her as well.

Under any circumstance, if the seat becomes vacant, Ritter will have an extremely short window to appoint - a month or less.  Replacement will have to be in place by the time Obama is sworn in.  Given the package of proposals that Obama expects to have on his desk when he is sworn in, Colorado, Obama and Democratic leadership cannot afford to be down a Senator when votes start.

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:35:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Ooh, good choice.

I like her. She's an excellent choice, David. Good thinking.  

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 10:42:54 AM CST

[ Parent ]

She's terrific

But do you see her leaving Denver with her two young kids and starting that communte to and from DC.

On a note, though, I believe she would become the youngest US Senator if appointed (as would Andrew), since John Sununu lost his seat.  

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by: adam.kretz @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:13:05 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You wouldn't say that about a man

What about Hick's young son?  Why isn't that an impediment to his appointment to the fill the Senate seat?

Pat Schroeder and Diana DeGette proved that it's possible for a mother with young kids to serve in Congress.  What a double standard!

Youth is a huge benefit to serving in the Senate, which still runs on seniority.  Go Cary!

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by: ColoDem @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:25:07 AM CST

[ Parent ]

He didn't "say"

He asked.

Big difference.

Best to kill them early instead of letting them possibly need food stamps.
--marilou, 2010

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by: Ralphie @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:33:00 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Exactly

Cary would actually be my choice. I'm wondering if her young family would make her less likely to serve in DC at this stage of her career.

No double-standard, just curiosity. Scout's Honor.  

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by: adam.kretz @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:36:10 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I am sure it was just curiosity

But isn't it interesting that no one ever questions whether a male politician's "young family" is an impediment to a move to Washington?

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by: ColoDem @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:42:07 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Just ask Ed Rindell

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

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by: redstateblues @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:43:27 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You've used the word "impediment" twice

No one else did.

You're chasing ghosts.

Best to kill them early instead of letting them possibly need food stamps.
--marilou, 2010

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by: Ralphie @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 11:55:41 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Don't you see the double standard?

Someone asks whether Cary Kennedy could serve in the Senate because of her "young family."

No one asks this questions regarding a male with small children, however.  Not on ColoradoPols.  Not elsewhere.

Why not.

Yet Pat Schroeder, Diana DeGette, and other women with young children were and are repeatedly challenged on this very point.  

Are any of the posters on ColoradoPols women?  What do the women think?

Is this chasing ghosts or is it identifying sexism?

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by: ColoDem @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:00:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't believe any of the other contenders for this seat have small kids

Andrew is single, I don't view Hick as a major contender (he seems to like Denver), Barb's kids are older (though she won't get it either), etc.

And yes, I do understand the fear of double-standards for decisions like this. I think they're dangerous. My point was to ask whether Cary herself would want the seat, particularly when she is a competent and popular state treasurer, considering she has young children and is from the Denver area.

I think she's a terrific public servant and would make a fine Senator, family and all. I was just raising a point that I think is important to consider when we're not talking about an election, but rather an appointment that someone has to consent to.

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by: adam.kretz @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:10:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I agree, Cary Kennedy would be an outstanding choice.

The question really is, would SHE want to be D.C.-based in her work.  I assume any mother OR father of young children would ask themselves that question.

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by: The realist @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:47:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

A lot of legislators

male and female with younger children establish their households in the D.C. area so they aren't away from their families as much.  Of course, they maintain a residence in their home states/districts as well, but do most of their living in the D.C. area.  I think Treasurer Kennedey would be an excellent choice.  However, Sen. Salazar may be more important to Colorado right where he is, instead of Secretary of the Interior.  

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by: nonlawyerlobbyist @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:47:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm a woman and you're chasing ghosts.

Not that your question isn't a good one but the person you replied to most definitely wasn't asking in a sexist way and in my opinion, you got carried away and made a mountain out of a molehill/simple question from Adam.

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 13:04:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Appreciate the support :)

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by: adam.kretz @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 18:01:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Anytime. :) n/t

"The only way you could be worse is if you were Wade Norris." Ralphie

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by: Middle of the Road @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 18:13:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

News Conference today

Obama is holding a news conference this afternoon to name Chu, Carol Browner and others related to Energy and the Environment, do we suppose he might use the same press conference to announce Salazar?

Or will it just get leaked, as the others have?  

I think one way or the other the announcement could come out today, either as a leak or part of the Press Confernece.

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by: Roger D @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:03:00 PM CST

Salazar for Interior; Peña to succeed?

Sen. Salazar would be an excellent choice for Interior because he understands how President Cheney "privatized" the Bureau of Land Mgmt and the National Forest Service agencies to favor energy development on public lands. It will take years to undo the damage and wrest control of these public lands back to American citizens. Salazar would definitely be up to that challenge.

And while the state Republicans have Shetland ponies in their political stables, the Democrats are fortunate to have several Thoroughbreds to replace Sen. Salazar. Out here in the West, both Rep. Diana DeGette and Andrew Romanoff have excellent name recognition.

DeGette's moniker as a "liberal" is no different from Rep. Mark Udall's and he won handily in a statewide election. As US Senator, should DeGette concentrate her efforts on a national healthcare plan, it would probably assure her a re-election victory in 2010. In the meanwhile, Romanoff would have no problem securing DeGette's CD1 seat.

However, DeGette's has a few problems: she probably doesn't have many - if any -- IOU's with Gov. Ritter and her support from the Latino community is almost nil. Ritter really needs a strong candidate like Ken Salazar on the ticket to help him and other Democrats win in 2010, and he needs to especially reach out to Hispanic voters.

Why not appoint Rep. John Salazar in to replace his brother? CD3 is still precarious for the Democrats with energy companies willing to stake millions in that race (as they did for the local Western Slope commissioner races.) Plus, John Salazar hates to travel and campaign far from his farm in CD3, let alone having to cover the state.

Should Ken Salazar go to Obama's cabinet, Ritter would be wise to consider a "wild card" in this political mix to replace Salazar: Federico Peña. Not only does he know Washington, Peña's specialty is transportation -- a key issue right next to healthcare. And Peña's close relationship with the Obama team would be an asset for Colorado.

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by: WestSloper @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:19:16 PM CST

Peña is still in the mix for Transportation Secretary

MSNBC specifically brought up his name in their daily speculation this morning.

Best to kill them early instead of letting them possibly need food stamps.
--marilou, 2010

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by: Ralphie @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 12:23:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

But why would he want to go back there?

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by: Jambalaya @ Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 20:58:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]