Salazar gets White House OK for run

[babylonsister]

Salazar gets White House OK for run
By Michael Riley
The Denver Post


The White House would not object if Interior Secretary Ken Salazar chose to resign his cabinet post and run for Colorado governor, sources tell The Denver Post.

The White House's stance on whether Salazar can leave the cabinet on good terms is a key variable in the race to replace Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, who announced this morning that he would not seek re-election.

According to sources with knowledge of the conversations, Salazar was encouraged by the White House to remain in the administration, citing an agenda on climate change and retooling energy policy. But administration officials said they would support him if he felt it was in the best interests of the party and the state to return to Colorado.

Democrats in the state are deferring to the former senator who has won statewide races on three occasions before making their intentions on entering the race known.

Salazar declined to comment on his plans in a conference call with reporters this morning, instead choosing to praise Ritter for his service.

Another potential candidate, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, will have a media availability at 4 p.m. today to talk about his interest in the race. He is not expected, however, to announce a candidacy.

The fact that Salazar has been given the okay to depart the cabinet after one year on the job leaves the decision to run for governor in his hands. Democrats with knowledge of his thinking say he is weighing a bid carefully.

more...

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_14134401

[eleny]

1. Udall was having a meeting at 1 PM today to sort out what to do

Sounds like things are gellin'.

[ProSense]

2. Interesting. n/t

[Cha]

12. Very.

[backscatter712]

3. I'm hoping for Hickenlooper, Romanoff or Perlmutter to run.

Any of them are much better candidates than Salazar, though I'm getting the feeling that Salazar's gonna muscle in and be the candidate.

[napi21]

4. I like Salizar, I hope the people of Co do too! He seems to be doing fine in his

cabinet job, but I'd like to replace Ritter with a Dem too!

[Exultant Democracy]

6. He voted for the 2006 military commissions act. I for one will never forget that.

I worked for his consulting firm for a while but that was before he betrayed the constitution.

[Robb]

5. Ugh.

Salazar is finally in a place where he's actually doing well. Hated him on the issues as Senator, but his head's on straight on Interior stuff.

[babylonsister]

7. Do you think he might be a bad gov for CO? I don't know, but

I hear you. He was so milque-toasty as a senator.

[inna]

8. Go DLC!!11!!

[stubertmcfly]

9. ugh.

Was not fond of Salazar as our Senator. Would prefer he stayed in his current position and let more progressive Dems lead the state.

[donheld]

10. Ditto

He was too much a Blue dog, DINO kind of senator. We don't need that.

[Umbral]

11. If I didn't think he'd be replaced with someone just as terrible, I'd hail this as great news...

As it is... Meh.

[burning rain]

13. Dumb that Obama ever snatched the popular Salazar out of a swing-state Senate seat.

Won't it be wonderful if Republicans pick up that seat in 2010, as they perfectly well could.

[otohara]

14. Ugh - I Want Hickenlooper

No fan of Salazar as Senator - but he seems to be doing okay in Interior

He's also a crummy campaigner and speaker.

I remember when in 2004 when I was a Dean delegate at Denver convention and Salazar had to promise he wouldn't flip to Republican like Nighthorse Campbell - instead he voted with the GOP on many occasions.