Elway for Senate! Looking at NY, why not?

Gov. Ritter has asked Coloradans for their opinions and suggestions as to who should replace Sen. Ken Salazar now that Obama has given him a Cabinet position in thanks for delivering Colorado. My suggestion would be to try and recruit Colorado's favorite son, John Elway. Political experience? No, but then that isn't really a resume builder these days (unless you are Sarah Palin). We are sending a man to the presidency with little relevant experience.

Caroline Kennedy will likely assume a Senate seat with again, little relevant experience. She has worked in fundraising for New York public schools but my guess is that her own children attended private schools. She has written about the Constitution (many of us can claim to have done that). Beyond name recognition, she doesn't bring experience.

Gov. Palin was routed by the liberals and MSM due to 'lack of experience'. Clearly, we've moved past that requirement now, so why shouldn't Colorado appoint a strong candidate that also happens to not have political experience?

John Elway, and other Coloradans have much to offer in terms of service to our state. John knows how to take a hit and get back up; he knows how to come from behind to win the game; he is widely recognizable and popular among all age groups and has that Obama-like star quality. He has a keen business awareness and exceptional leadership abilities. Absurd? Maybe, and maybe he has no interest at all in serving the public in this way.

But let's be clear, the future of the Republican Party in Colorado must rely on somebody like John Elway, if not him. We need youth, charisma, devotion to conservative ideals, and a vigor and enthusiasm that we have not been seeing. We need people that carry in no political baggage and we need people that can do speaking engagements at colleges and universities and draw huge crowds. We need people that can articulate what we stand for, what we can do for our country and why values and ethics still matter. We need a popular candidate that has widespread appeal and proven record of getting the job done.

You may have a better idea. If so, please get it to the Governor soon. We conservatives likely will be wasting ink, as it's predestined that a good, Obama-supporting liberal will get the nod. But he did ask for suggestions, after all.

Meanwhile in the Empire State

Democrats, especially those in the media, are salivating at the prospect of having Caroline Kennedy take over Hillary Clinton's New York Senate seat. Just mere weeks ago, we heard so much discussion about Sarah Palin. She did not have enough experience to hold such a high office. Never mind that Barack Obama has far less relevant experience to hold even a higher office, Sarah Palin was maligned and abused by the media and Democrat politicians.

Now, Ms. Kennedy is being favored to move into a high profile political position with no direct experience in the field. She has raised money for schools and she has a law degree. Those are both great accomplishments.

Here we go again.

GOP sees hope in Senate vacancy

This last political season was defined by the word “hope”. But after the drubbing the GOP received on the national level, that word has not been associated with Republicans lately. Now the upcoming game of musical chairs in Colorado politics triggered by Senator Ken Salazar reportedly being named to President-Elect Obama’s cabinet, may give Colorado Republicans some hope again.

Any person Governor Ritter chooses to replace Sen. Salazar will open up a situation for Colorado Republicans. Mind you, the opening he creates will be no easy road, and far from a clear advantage, but hey, a glimmer of hope is all it takes sometimes.

My fellow CBS 4 blogger Gloria Neal astutely asserted in her last blog that she thinks Rep. Ed Perlmutter has the inside track. I think her rationalization and analysis is dead on.

Other bloggers talk about Rep. John Salazar, or Andrew Romanoff as owning the inside track. They make good points as well.

All of these scenarios offer reasons for State Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams and other Colorado Republicans to smile.

If Rep. Perlmutter leaves the 7th Congressional District, he’ll leave behind the most politically balanced district in Colorado. I know Republicans are having an off year, but it’s realistic to expect a young Republican to give any Democrat a very good race in a special election to replace Rep. Perlmutter.

If outgoing Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff is picked to replace Sen. Salazar, in 2010, he’ll need to run as a statewide candidate after spending most of his career as a “Denver Democrat”. I’ll be the first to admit that as Speaker of the House he governed from the middle, but it may be hard to sell that as moderate in Southern Colorado.

If Rep. John Salazar is picked to take his brother’s place, he’ll leave behind the third Congressional district ripe for a moderate Republican to reclaim, with several strong Republicans on the bench ready to run.

Don’t get me wrong, this Republican glimmer of hope still comes at a time when fundraising as a Democrat is much, much easier. Any Republican running in a race against a Democrat to replace a newly tapped Senator, or against him or her in 2010, will do so as an underdog.

But, after the 2008 election, we all know what a small glimmer of hope can turn into. It should not be underestimated.

Safeway shopping list for Ritter

For Bill Ritter, Ken Salazar's move from Senate to Cabinet is more a problem than an opportunity. His appointment to replace Salazar could topple dominoes among current officeholders, antagonize powerful also-rans, rile factions within the Democratic party, and complicate Ritter's own reelection in 2010. That's assuming he names a rising politician who wants to serve more than two years and run for the seat in his or her own right. The safe way out would be for Ritter to pass up anointing the prom king or queen and appoint a qualified short-termer -- someone with proven credentials but pledged to no further electoral ambitions.

Former senators Gary Hart and Tim Wirth along with former governors Dick Lamm and Roy Romer would all fit the bill. My personal favorite is Lamm. Just imagine the stir his truth-telling about a common culture and illegal immigration would cause in Harry Reid's caucus. But for that very reason, Lamm probably wouldn't get the nod even if Ritter opts for what I call the Safeway shopping list.

Then my next choice is Roy Romer. The old warhorse, just turned 80 but with the energy of a 60-year-old, tried for US Senate way back in 1966 and was aced out of it again in 1992 by Ben Campbell. Romer is the preeminent elder statesman of Colorado Democrats, would represent Colorado wisely and honorably for the next 24 months, and well deserves this honor as the capstone of his career. (All of which I say despite, or partly because of, the licking he gave me in our 1990 contest for governor.)

The downside, from a Democrat point of view, would be no incumbent for them to try and "reelect" as the 2010 campaign gears up in coming months. But since that campaign is upon us anyway, why shouldn't the Dems live up to their name and welcome an openly democratic selection process for Salazar's successor?

As Illinois and New York embarrass themselves with grossly undemocratic, if not illegal, grappling contests for their open Senate seats, Colorado could set a refreshingly different example.

How about it, Gov. Ritter? I like the sound of Senator Lamm or Senator Romer.