Hickenlooper rally at Denver Civic Ctr Park announced for March 7

[hlthe2b]

so, yes, it would appear he's running...

https://kdvr.com/2019/03/01/hickenlooper-expected-to-announce-presidential-run-march-7-in-downtown-denver/


He was my Governor. I'd prefer he became my Senator (knocking out Gardner) but....

[MineralMan]

1. I think he'll be a 2%er in this.

I think there are several of those already running already.

[PatrickforO]

2. As a fellow Coloradan, I agree - to a point.

Hick is OK, but he lost me when big oil came in around 2010 and started throwing its weight around. Do you know, the State was sending cease-and-desist orders to the Locals demanding we not impose any additional 'job killin' regulashuns' on fracking because the State had it in hand.

Needless to say, Colorado's fierce local control mentality won out and we did in fact impose other regulations. For instance Nancy Jackson (D), Arapahoe County commissioner, forced companies fracking along the I-70 corridor into the eastern plains to used closed loop fracking.

When Hick stood at the podium that one time and drank fracking fluid, I exercised my right as a Colorado citizen and called up his office - told them that if he wanted to convince me fracking fluid is safe enough to drink, then he would need to go visit a just-fracked site and slurp up some of the backwash. The person on the other end of the line became a little cold, but you know what? The State doesn't get to come in and swing its weight around with local governments on something like that.

Bottom line, I don't really support Hickenlooper for president, nor do I support him for US Senate. Johnston is going to throw his hat in the ring to challenge Gardner, or so I hear, and I wouldn't mind seeing Morgan Carroll challenge as well - though she isn't that great a campaigner. We'll see how it plays out, but I'll guarantee you I'll be doing everything I can to unseat Cory Gardner.

[RobertDevereaux]

4. Exactly so...

His kowtowing to Oil and Gas dampened the enthusiasm of this Fort Collins resident.

[hlthe2b]

7. His oil and gas stances bothered me too, but even more so because the CO SCourt upheld a lot of it.

[CDerekGo]

3. Hickenwho?

[brooklynite]

5. Told ya...

[Byronic]

6. You did!

[Garrett78]

8. What's his niche?

If you're a huge underdog, you have to find a way to stand out. For Inslee, it's a focus on climate change. What's Hickenlooper's niche?

[hlthe2b]

10. apparently....

“I think he has a lane: that lane is of a pragmatic, pro-trade business-oriented Democrat who has a very progressive social record, and a more centrist view of economic issues,” said Alan Salazar, a former Hickenlooper strategist in Colorado.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/26/hickenlooper-colorado-2020-democrats-842596

While I have differences with him, I will say that even on issues with which he disagreed vehemently, he was open to changing his mind and to work to match the will of the people. One big example is recreational marijuana, which he initially opposed. Once the ballot measure passed, he arguably showed the skilled leadership necessary to make Colorado the "gold standard" for regulating the industry and to address the many and myriad issues that develop. Most of the states now looking to legalize have patterned their efforts around those of Colorado.

Local rule over fracking was a big issue for me and many others... While he initially fought it tooth and nail, he's lost some and won some battles. He seems to take both in stride.

Truth in advertising, I'm neither a supporter or an opponent. I don't see him making a big splash in this crowded field, but I do hope he has a future--perhaps in a Democratic cabinet.

[Garrett78]

11. Then he won't stand out. Not in a field with Biden, Klobuchar, etc.

[PatrickforO]

9. One other thought, though.

Given that Trump is currently squatting illegally and treasonously in the White House, Hickenlooper would in fact be an order of magnitude better as a president. He just wouldn't be my first choice is all. But he'd be OK.

I mean...let's keep things in perspective here.