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Dems' Colo. Dream Win Begins to Look Shaky

Anxiety over recession, deficit quiets Obama supporters

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 5, 2009 6:38 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Democrats won a huge symbolic victory by winning over conservative Colorado in last year's elections, but nervous state voters may be yearning for the GOP again, the Washington Post reports. Strategists are feeling it on the ground and incumbents in the halls of power: President Obama's supporters have grown quiet as anxiety seeps in over the recession and growing national deficit. "The slippage is there, and it's because things are tough and solutions aren't easy," a former Democratic governor says.

Next year's elections could tell the tale: Gov. Bill Ritter faces a tough race after alienating organized labor and raising car registration fees. Republicans perceive appointed Sen. Michael F. Bennet, a surprise choice to replace Ken Salazar, as a soft target. One grass-roots organizer says it all comes down to health care reform: If Obama "loses on this one, that sets the tone for the rest of his administration."

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, left, and Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire, testify on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in Washington.
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, left, and Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire, testify on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is saluted by a State Trooper as he walks out of the the Capitol for a news conference in Denver on Monday, July 16, 2007.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is saluted by a State Trooper as he walks out of the the Capitol for a news conference in Denver on Monday, July 16, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
An unidentified member of the Colorado State Patrol bicycles past the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.
An unidentified member of the Colorado State Patrol bicycles past the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Rocky the Mountain Lion, left, the mascot of the NBA Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter joke around in downtown Denver on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
Rocky the Mountain Lion, left, the mascot of the NBA Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter joke around in downtown Denver on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In this Nov. 1, 2005 file photo, Michael Bennet enters a victory party for Amendment 3A in Denver.
In this Nov. 1, 2005 file photo, Michael Bennet enters a victory party for Amendment 3A in Denver.   (AP Photo/Bill Ross, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 22 comments
sailor86
Sep 7, 2009 5:02 AM CDT
Fer cryin' out loud! The economy didn't get this way overnight! Everybody just wants a quick fix.
Rob
Sep 6, 2009 12:49 PM CDT
"Blame the opposition" is an old trick. Bush did it and now Obama is doing it. Buy it at your peril.
prowlerzee
Sep 6, 2009 12:38 PM CDT
Oh, and Jane....how do you like your CONTINUED BUSH WAR? How do you like handing the food safety administration over to the genetically modified food industry? (Or did you even bother to find out?) How do you like OPhRMA's renamed INSURANCE reform, which protects drug prices for the drug industry? How do you like Bush's FAITH-BASED office now being incorporated into Health and Human Services by your OMessiah...and headed by a Pro-Life antiabortion activist? How is that "helping" anyone? Wake up!
Politics • US

 
Barack Obama • Democrats • Colorado • Gov. Bill Ritter • Michael Bennet • Republicans

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