Ritter dropping out in Colorado

[DavidDvorkin]

Source: Political Wire

A source tells Political Wire that Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) is ending his re-election campaign. A fundraiser scheduled for tonight was canceled and all campaign staff was sent home in the middle of the day.

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/01/05/ritter_dropping_out_in_colorado.html

---

I'm stunned. What the hell is up?

[itsrobert]

1. Replacing Janet?

who knows?

[eleny]

2. I'll be damned!

Peter Boyles, a local Denver wingnut birther radio show host, has been after him for over a year over an issue he feels is a Ritter administration scandal. It's about a guy who lost his job because he gave Ritter's opponent in the governor's race some data that was supposedly private. I'm not entirely schooled on the issue.

This is bad for Colorado as we just went from purple to blue.

[otohara]

3. Hickenlooper

Hick, Hick, Hick

[eleny]

6. Definitely the heir apparent

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

4. An economic bloodbath ahead?

I don't blame him. Same as Dorgan. Smart people.
Wonder who will dumb enough to run for Gov. in Michigan.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

8. Note to add ~ Cherry dropped out today.

[TheModernTerrorist]

31. I got the Cherry e-mail

but didn't open it until I read your message. Sad, cuz I liked Cherry. Met him once or twice, I believe.

I don't live in MI anymore (or the US for that matter) so I'm gonna be scrambling to get up-to-date on MI politics in the next few days.

[vssmith]

36. Virg Bernero

[struggle4progress]

5. "A source tells Political Wire" seems pretty thin

[struggle4progress]

10. Gov. Ritter Won't Run For Re-Election (ABC-7)

... according to Democratic sources ...
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22144986/detail.html

[struggle4progress]

11. Ritter Won't Seek 2nd Term (National Journal)

... a campaign source tells Hotline OnCall ...
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/01/ritter_wont_see.php

[struggle4progress]

15. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Joins Retiring Democrats (TPM)

... The Washington Post reports ...
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/colorado-gov-bill-ritter-joins-retiring-democrats-1.php

I haven't been able to load the WaPo link

[struggle4progress]

16. Ritter won't seek second term (Fox 31)

... FOX 31 News has confirmed ... State Democratic Party chairwoman Pat Waak told FOX 31 News that a meeting of Democratic statewide elected officials would be held immediately to begin the process of selecting a candidate for governor ...
http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-ritter-010510,0,7639654.story

[struggle4progress]

18. Gov. Bill Ritter won't seek re-election this fall (AP via Colorado Springs Gazette)

... AP sources are saying ...
http://www.gazette.com/news/seek-91832-bill-washington.html

[struggle4progress]

19. AP sources: Colorado Gov. Ritter to retire (Houston Chronicle)

... Democratic sources tell The Associated Press ...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6800515.html

[struggle4progress]

23. NYT just picked up this AP story

AP Sources: Colorado Gov. Ritter to Retire
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/05/us/politics/AP-US-Colorado-Governor.html?_r=1

[struggle4progress]

26. MSNBC is now running a version of this wire story but attributes it to "NBC News and news services"

Sources: Colorado Gov. Ritter to retire
The first-term Democrat has widely been considered a rising star
NBC News and news services
... Democratic sources with knowledge of the matter tell NBC News ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34718268/ns/politics-more_politics/

[struggle4progress]

22. Ritter is not running for re-election as Colorado's governor (9 News)

... 9NEWS has confirmed that Ritter's staff learned of his decision on Tuesday ...
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=130211&catid=339

The only direct quote in this article is from the Republican State Senate Minority Leader

[struggle4progress]

27. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) Won't Run Again (NPR)

The Washington Post and the Associated Press, citing Democratic sources, say ...
http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2010/01/colorado_gov_bill_ritter_d_won.html

[struggle4progress]

28. Colorado Governor Ritter to retire (The Fix at WaPo)

... according to Democratic sources briefed on his decision ...

The Denver Post reported that Ritter has scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday. Numerous sources close to the governor told the Denver paper that he will announce his decision then ...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/

[struggle4progress]

29. Sources: Ritter expected to withdraw from governor's race (Denver Post)

By Lynn Bartels
The Denver Post
Posted: 01/05/2010 07:45:53 PM MST
Updated: 01/05/2010 08:28:10 PM MST

Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to announce Wednesday that he will withdraw from the race for governor, numerous sources close to Ritter confirmed Tuesday night.

Ritter began making calls to other prominent Colorado Democrats around 6 p.m. notifying them of his decision. Sources said his office contacted key legislators asking them to be available for an 11 a.m. press conference where Ritter will make his announcement ...

Repeated calls for comment to Ritter's staff and communications director were not returned tonight. The governor was said to be making calls to other Democrats, informing them of the decision.

House Speaker Terrance Carroll however said he had not been contacted by the governor's office and had not been told of the governor's plan ...

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14129079

[DaveinMD]

7. I bet Romanoff

drops out of the Senate race and runs for Governor.

[eleny]

9. My bet is on Hickenlooper

I so hope Romanoff replaces B in the Senate.

[DaveinMD]

21. Hick has a nasty track record

of teasing and then not running. I won't believe he's running until he does. He would be the strongest candidate.

[Hawkeye-X]

32. Hick will be a great governor

He governed the recession well as Denver's mayor.

And he'll give free beer to anyone who votes for him (He owns Wynkoop Brewery)

[earthside]

12. Good News for Colorado Democrats

Chances of the Democrats holding on to the Colorado governorship just increased markedly ... if this is true.

Ritter was doomed. He has been a most uninspiring governor.

Either former state senator Romanoff or Denver Mayor Hickenlooper have good chances of winning in November.

[Hawkeye-X]

33. Romanoff will remain in the Senate race

Bennet was Ritter's pick - we're throwing him out.

Hick for Governor.

Hawkeye-X

[likesmountains 52]

13. Whoa..

[RainMickey]

14. What the fuck?

Dorgan, now this? I don't like it.

[earthside]

17. Dodd next?

I rather like some of the weak links getting a clue and not running again (I don't include Dorgan in that category).

Ritter dropping out is good; now if Chris Dodd would decide that a million years in the Senate is enough, then Democrats might have a chance to save that seat.

[Myrina]

38. Dodd has decided to retire.

n/t

[donco6]

20. Wow. That's news. n/t

[DavidDvorkin]

24. I hadn't seen any hints of this before

Not that I have my ear to the ground and inside info and so on. Still, this is the sort of bombshell you usually get some hints of ahead of time.

[DavidDvorkin]

25. Hickenlooper would be a good possibility

My God, we might see him in the White House some day!

Colorado microbrews served at state occasions. Hmm.

[Hawkeye-X]

30. Ritter has pretty much destroyed his own credibility by ignoring CDP

and if Ritter drops out - it's a great move.

He also pissed off labor and unions - not a good move either - so Colorado will have a pro-union pro-labor governor. Norton stands no chance of winning the governor's seat now that Ritter has read the smoke signals and decided to drop out.

Now we have a real race for governor's seat. Hopefully someone who's a true progressive will take the seat.

[Hardrada]

37. Culver should do the same in Iowa. Union people realize he is an enemy.

Or just very stupid.

[El Supremo]

34. I heard this in our monthly County Party meeting. People were crying.

What a coincidental place to learn about it.

[Hawkeye-X]

35. Crying of joy?

Because Ritter the DLC moron gets to be thrown out?

[DavidDvorkin]

39. Yahoo online news headlined the three big retirements as

further signs of trouble for the Democrats. (The three being Ritter, Dodd, and Dorgan.)

[Unvanguard]

40. Dodd is good news, not bad. Ritter seems ambiguous. Dorgan is definitely bad. n/t

[DavidDvorkin]

41. That's my impression, too

It's interesting - although I guess not surprising - that Yahoo News put that spin on it, though.

[struggle4progress]

42. Full text of Ritter's remarks (Denver Post)

... Over the past years, but particularly over this last year, I have attempted to balance many roles in my life. I have been the governor, I have been a candidate for re-election, and I have also been a husband and a father. I am proud of our work in this administration and my work as governor. I am proud of the direction of the state. I am proud of our campaign, of the staff we have built, and our re-election efforts ...

So while this decision allows me to make my family a priority, it also allows me to focus on keeping the state budget balanced and keeping Colorado on the road to recovery ...

When people elect you, they give you, as I said before, an honor and a privilege, and I would just thank Coloradans again for that opportunity. I would thank the people who are here today who have been great supporters of mine. I have to thank the people who are part of my administration, and the staff, every part of the staff, for the way they've devoted themselves to their duties. I want to thank the people who are part of my campaign staff and have given tirelessly for that. I already acknowledged and thanked Barbara. It's been a great sort of way to be involved in a team that's making a real difference, so thanks to all of you.

Finally, I want to thank my family. Both my nuclear family, and my extended family, for all of their support, for all of their love, and for their understanding as I have walked through this decision making of mine ...

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14133986

[struggle4progress]

43. Reactions to Governor Ritter's announcement (Denver Post)

"I've had the pleasure of getting to know Bill Ritter during the campaign and of working with him this past year. Bill is a man of great principle and vision who has devoted thirty years to public service, from his time as a missionary in Africa to his tenure as Governor of Colorado. He leaves behind an extraordinary record of accomplishments - establishing himself as a national education reform leader, building a new energy economy, expanding health care to those in need, and rebuilding Colorado's infrastructure. We are all grateful for his service and wish him the best in the years to come."

— President Barack Obama ...

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14133964