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November 14, 2005 09:00 AM UTC

Ken Gordon for...Something

  • 36 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

This should come as little surprise to many politicos, but State Senator Ken Gordon is telling Democratic activists that he most likely will run for statewide office in 2006…he just hasn’t figured out what he will run for.

Gordon would like to run for governor, but he’s waiting for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to make a final decision on his plans and may also be realistic to the fact that governor could be too large a leap. Attorney General is a consideration, but Gordon is concerned that his background as a former public defender could make that difficult. His more likely run will be for state treasurer or secretary of state.

In the meantime, Gordon has been actively seeking speaking opportunities to tout his new, more moderate, political vision. Gordon has called himself the liberal conscience of the legislature, but voters may not want an overwhelmingly liberal conscience in a statewide office.

Comments

36 thoughts on “Ken Gordon for…Something

  1. Gordon might as well get in.  We can kick his butt too.

    Hick’s troubles in a general election will continue when people find out how he has used city hall to further his restaurant business.  Some well placed freedom of information requests that are being planned will be eye-opening.

  2. It is seeming les and less likely that Hickenlooper will run for Gov. so Ken should get on the ball with it. I am also waiting to see if any of these Denver-based possible candidates will pick Bill Thiebaut as a Lt Gov. the geography works (Thiebaut is from Pueblo) and Bill is faily popular within the party.

  3. I doubt very much if Thiebaut would run for Lt Gov.  He is not going to trade being DA in Pueblo, with everything he has going on for the thankless job of Lt. Gov.

    I also think he is a much stronger candidate state-wide than Gordon.

    Organized labor has already indicated that he is their preference, plus you have the Denver factor.  Thiebaut was out-front opposing Ref A (the water one) and his lawsuit against Colo. Spgs. is all about water, which on the western slope and the two southern valleys is critical.  The out-state Dem candidate will carry Denver and Boulder and help in the out-state.  A Denver Dem will also carry Denver and Bouder, but brings nothing to the table in the out-state.  There still is that anti-Denver thing out there.

  4. Since Gordon can’t make up his mind which office he might run for, how could he be taken seriously, since there is apparently no focus or commitment for one particular office.  Sounds like he just wants a state office, no matter which one it is.

  5. Ken Gordon is yesterday.
    Morgan Carroll is the same age as Bill Clinton was when he was elected Governor of Arkansas.
    Morgan has as much experience as did Clinton at that age. Morgan would bring energy and idealism to the campaign.

  6. 1) Gordon’s a realist and a team player — everybody knows that Hick would have the best chance of anybody on the Dem side.  He’s wisely surveying the landscape. 2) Gordon has typically worked from the center, I don’t think he’s necessarily shifting toward it now.  3) It’s not at all clear that Thiebaut is labor’s choice, not least bc UFCW has alredy endorsed Ritter.
    RUN, KEN, RUN!  (for guv, that is)

  7. Ken Gordon has become a leading figure in Colorado politics.  His leadership has not been limited to his district or the Denver Metro area, but rather it stretches to all corners of the state.  His political views are clear, and his support for C&D were unwavering. While the opponents lied and used threats to scare the state, Gordon (along with others in the campaign) used their bi-partisan leadership with a goal to unite Coloradoans, not divide them like Holtzman or Beauprez would like to do.  The primary is still months away, and his choice between now and then will be the right one.

  8. UFCW endorsed early, which is why they are with Ritter now.

    With regards to the rest of organized labor, they will be with Thiebaut – the rank and file love him.  Many key players in labor have already made calls and are very vocal about their support if Thiebaut can be persuaded to get in.

    A pro-choice catholic with 15 kids, still married to his high-school sweet-heart and living in the same 3-bedroom tract house he raised his entire family in will always strike a cord with the average person.

  9. MorganCforGov,

    You might be right about Carroll being the same age as Clinton, but that is where the similarity ends.  While I am a Republican I do admit that Clinton was one of the best politicians that America has ever seen.  Don’t take that as an endorsement of his policies or beliefs, he was just very polished, a great communicator, and could sell ice to an Eskimo.  Morgan isn’t even close to being in the same league as Clinton is and with here extreme liberal views, she would not have a chance at winning Colorado. 

    Roger D,

    People might like Thiebaut’s personal story, but I doubt that many of his votes in the State Capitol will.  Case in point, on several occasions he was the lone dissenter on legislation to get tough on crime, specifically when it dealt with sex offenders.  He may seem nice, but he is just another liberal.

  10. Morgan Carroll is a definite comer but running for gov based on one term in the state House is ludicrous.  She’s smarter than that _ and if she isn’t, the voters will be.

  11. Sen. Gordon is a great public official and has always represented not only Denver, but all of Colorado as well. Walking the entire state for C&D shows that he understands the need for all Coloradans to be involved in the legislative process. Gordon’s ability to weigh all of the options (pros and cons) before making the decision to run for a higher office shows that he is not blindly jumping into a race for statewide office merely to further his career. He is seriously considering the welfare of the entire state before making this crucial move and he should be commended for his thoughtfulness, not accused of “touting” his own agenda. Sen. Gordon has repeatedly exhibited his love for Colorado throughout his political career, and whatever he decides, he will certainly have my support.

  12. Sen. Gordon is a great public official and has always represented not only Denver, but all of Colorado as well. Walking the entire state for C&D shows that he understands the need for all Coloradans to be involved in the legislative process. Gordon’s ability to weigh all of the options (pros and cons) before making the decision to run for a higher office shows that he is not blindly jumping into a race for statewide office merely to further his career. He is seriously considering the welfare of the entire state before making this crucial move and he should be commended for his thoughtfulness, not accused of “touting” his own agenda. Sen. Gordon has repeatedly exhibited his love for Colorado throughout his political career, and whatever he decides, he will certainly have my support.

  13. Sen. Gordon is a great public official and has always represented not only Denver, but all of Colorado as well. Walking the entire state for C&D shows that he understands the need for all Coloradans to be involved in the legislative process. Gordon’s ability to weigh all of the options (pros and cons) before making the decision to run for a higher office shows that he is not blindly jumping into a race for statewide office merely to further his career. He is seriously considering the welfare of the entire state before making this crucial move and he should be commended for his thoughtfulness, not accused of “touting” his own agenda. Sen. Gordon has repeatedly exhibited his love for Colorado throughout his political career, and whatever he decides, he will certainly have my support.

  14. Go Frodo Go!

    Ken Gordon is a hobbit out of the lord of the rings.  He took a nose dive down the ugly tree and hit every branch.  A man that ugly has no future in politics.

  15. Some people’s lack of respect and common decency is the ugliest thing in this world. And remember: “It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.”  – Aesop

  16. Ken Gordon looks tired.
    Morgan Carroll is dynamic, a strong record as a Legislator, top notch public speaker and would generate excitement from all elements of the party.
    She would mop up the floor with Ritter, Beauprez or Holtzman in a debate.
    Ken Gordon would put everyone to sleep.
    Democrats who want to win should contact Morgan Carroll and urge her to run.

  17. Morgan Carroll won a seat that would have gone Republican. In Aurora people from all parties love her. Statewide Morgan would offer a real alternative. Morgan can win and we should encourage her. Dick Lamm was a State Legislator when he was elected Governor and Morgan is more dynamic than he ever was

  18. First off, “Skiptomylou” do not insult part of the Dem leadership who helped turn the CO general assembly blue with his tireless grassroots efforts in the ’04 races. MC very well may not have had that seat, if it wasnt for the momentum created before her first term. To cut at a public official for his years of public service work, only to promote a freshman rep., shows your true political skin.  As Dem’s we must keep the statehouse Blue, and run a blue into the Mansion. Do not cutdown Gordon, since he works around the clock to build a better state. His political carreer has been dedicated to this welfare of this state, and his record proves that. RUN KEN, RUN!!!

  19. Morgan needs a lot of work before she could seriously consider running for a statewide office.  If you really are fond of her, it might be best to leave her alone.  Let her earn people’s respect.  Hopping into a statewide race now would scream arrogance.  I like Morgan but she’s nowhere near ready.

  20. To all those who would like to see MC run for Governor, let me point out that holding the House will be difficult and the seats that most need to be held are the ones held by people like MC (and Angie as well).  Rather than some long shot run for another office a lot of these House members (including Mike Merrifield in the Springs) need to think about how their House seats will be held if the seat is open.

    Secondly, if Kudos are to be passed out for leadership’s role in picking up legislative houses, those with short memories should know that there was no chamber wide plan to raise money and target races until the mid 90s when Mike Feeley and Bill Thiebaut created the model.  It simply didn’t exist prior to that and led directly to the wins in 2000 when Dems won the Senate.

    Without that win, there would be no 7th CD as a potential Dem Pick up and John Salazar would not be serving in Congress today.

    Just think back to the midnight gerrymander by John Andrews to understand that with an R governor and both chambers of the legislature, that is the congressional map that Colorado would have today.

    This is not about ‘owing’ something to the past leadership, but to understand that a lot of those folks know how to do the political game and win.  They also know how to keep from being rolled over by the other side.

  21. Ken Gordon run?
    Better have him walk and work up to a run. Anyone who has seen Ken recently agrees that he looks tired.
    In the meantime what are we afraid of?
    A dynamic Legislator who has proven vote getting ability.
    As long as we compromise and nominate the likes of Rollie Heath who also ran as a moderate until he was forty points behind we will lose.

  22. Get real, Morgan Carroll boosters…are you actually Republican shills looking for a setup.  Dick Lamm was minority leader when he ran for gov, and had successfully led the fight against the Winter olympics.  He was a household word.  Morgan Carroll has served one year in the House and I can’t think of a major bill she passed.  Not to put the lady down, but her running for governor is a ludicrous thought.  Beauprez would eat her for lunch and she might even have to struggle to defeat Holtzman.  As to Ken Gordon not being handsome enough for office, I guess that puts that matinee idol Abraham Lincoln in his place!

  23. Morgan Carrol for Governor? She might have an easier time running for governor than she will defending her seat. The Republicans are targeting her, and given the way she treats the lobby corps, I wouldnt think Morgan will get alot of money to defend herself.

    Whats the next stupid rumor on this website? Bob Hagedorn for Governor?? Just going to prove that if you self-promote enough just about ANY stupid rumor can take off.

    Oh, and the Hagedorn suggestion was A JOKE!

    Lets keep it real people

  24. Has anyone noticed a trend around this place?  It seems that abortion and groups that lobby for abortion are the true litmus test for a candidate.  First it was Peggy Lamm and Emily’s List and now it is Ritter with Planned Parenthood and NARAL.
    My guess since the Salazar brothers walked away from their cash during the last cycle there seems to be some concern that they are losing their grip.  It sure sounds like this to me.  However this probably will mean one thing for Democrats; more wins.  That is unless the “Religion” of abortion/choice continues it domination.

  25. The people don’t even know who Morgan Carroll is.  Oh, maybe the 13,000 who voted for her, but this is a big state.

    Get real about what it takes to be elected to a statewide race in Colorado.

  26. Great discussion.  MC is amazing and took the time to come to my University class and work with us on how to introduce legislation.  She is actually going to introduce it!  But I think that some very valid points are made that it is not yet her time.  Too big of a jump, although she is a huge up and comer!

  27. No one knows who Bill Ritter is and he has been campaigning for a year.
    No one knew Marc Holtzman before he began to campaign.
    If we rally behind Morgan and raise money to spread the message she can win.

  28. No one knew Bill Ritter???  Where have you been?  California?

    Why do I get the feeling it’s the same two or three people promoting all the Morgan talk?  Are the local schools on holiday break or something?

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