Interesting VP Possibility for Obama - Colorado Governor Bill Ritter

[demwing]

Premature? Maybe. But then again, maybe not :)

From Wikipedia:

Family Life

Ritter was born in Denver and raised on a farm in far eastern Aurora among his 11 brothers and sisters (he was born sixth). He went to Gateway High School while he lived in Aurora. His father, Bill, was a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry. His mother, Ethel, was a homemaker until the family began to struggle economically and she found work as a bookkeeper when Ritter was a young teenager. At 14 years old, he went to work full time in the construction industry, and joined a local labor union. He continued to work in the construction field, which ended up financing his college education (along with student loans). He enrolled in Colorado State University and completed a bachelors degree, and then pursued a degree at the University of Colorado School of Law in Boulder. By 1981, he had earned a law degree and was hired as a Deputy District Attorney for the City and County of Denver...Bill and Jeannie Ritter married in 1983. They have four children: August (21), Abe (18), Sam (16), Tally (14). Jeannie is a substitute teacher in the Denver Public Schools District.

Politics

As a Democrat, Ritter supports a "semi-progressive" agenda, emphasizing universal health care, environmental protection, housing subsidy and welfare increases and other stances aligned with the left wing of the Democratic Party. However...(there are) concerns over Ritter's pro-life stance... Ritter has stated that he would veto any bill prohibiting abortion that did not provide for an exception for rape, incest or fetal anomalies...(and) that he would restore state funding to Planned Parenthood for family planning and would reverse the veto of a bill that would have allowed pharmacists to dispense the emergency contraception known as the morning-after pill.

Popularity

Ritter is popular with rural Coloradans, who in the past have tended to vote for Republican candidates (particularly Front Range voters). This may stem from Ritter's perceived rural roots. His popularity also extends to the Democratic strongholds in Colorado; the continental divide ski resorts such as Aspen and Vail, as well as the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area...A poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports in August 2007 showed Ritter's approval rating at 60%, while 36% were disapproving and 4% remained undecided.

This guy is a working class, blue-collar hero. He is new to the political scene, having come from a background in Law Enforcement as a DA. This could be either a plus, or a minus, depending on how you slice it. Before his political career, Ritter and his wife went on a Catholic mission to Zambia, where for three years he ran a food distribution program for children, and his wife taught health education. Ritter's second child was born in Zambia.

As the Governor of Colorado, Ritter can cement a win where Obama is already popular. As the governor of the state hosting the convention, Ritter has declined to endorse a candidate at this time.

Here's a picture of the two together:



Ok, now for the feedback. What do you know about ritter that disqualifies him, or adds to the package?

[Hawkeye-X]

1. He's my governor.

He'll be a very logical choice. I think Ritter ran using the same principles as Obama, actually. I think he's shown that he's successful with the cities and the state.

He'll carry both sides of the white mountain guys. Obama may actually pick up WY because Dave Freudenthial is a great friend of Ritter's. Colorado Springs/Fundieland may be the hiccup, but other than that Ritter's very popular here.

Hawkeye-X

[demwing]

2. A Southwest or Rocky Mountain Governor would make the ticket

There are a few good choices, but Ritter has a very compelling story, a real blue collar background, and great crossover appeal.

[Radical Activist]

3. Might be better than a Udall

which is the Western choice I thought about.

[JCMach1]

4. No, he needs someone with national security cred.

And who can swing some of the more white/southern/moderate votes.

The first person that fits that description is Wesley Clark.

[demwing]

5. I don't think Wes will pull in the Southern vote

At least not any southern voters who wouldn't already be voting for Obama. But I'm a fan of General Clark, no doubt. I wanted him to be Kerry's running mate.

[JCMach1]

6. He has regional strength in OK/TN/MO and perhaps can pull-in

national security moderates.

MO would definitely be in-play with Wes on the ticket.

There are other people out there too though.

I think he has to go for BONA FIDE experience though.