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Blues stump in red territory

Weld Co. rally takes rural tone as party eyes state dominance

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 6, 2006 at midnight

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GREELEY - Colorado Democrats held their last rally before the election in the heart of one of the state's most Republican counties, a symbol of the Democrats' ambition to become the dominant party in Colorado.

Hundreds of northern Colorado Democrats turned out to cheer their party's stars, delivering thunderous applause to gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter and congressional candidate Angie Paccione.

"Who would ever have thought we'd see this day here in Colorado," said U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, exulting in the prospect that Democrats could soon control the governorship and legislature, and have a majority of the state's congressional delegation.

"We need to get rid of the politics of cynicism and division George Bush has brought us," Salazar said as the crowd roared. "We're going to change the direction of this country."

The rally at Greeley's Island Grove Regional Park was held in the 4-H Building and had a distinctly rural feel. Salazar wore his trademark straw cowboy hat, and Ritter, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall and state treasurer candidate Cary Kennedy all wore jeans and cowboy boots.

Ritter is one of 12 children, and 67 of his relatives attended the rally. Many were sporting buttons proclaiming "R.O.B." - relative of Bill.

He reminded the crowd that he officially began his campaign at the Democrats' state convention in Greeley in May.

"I said it's not about left vs. right, it's about hope vs. cynicism," Ritter said.

"It's about a better tomorrow that says 10 years, 20 years, 50 years down the road we paid attention to the things that matter."

Ritter then took a swing at President Bush - who appeared Saturday at a rally in Greeley with Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave - as he introduced Paccione to the crowd.

"The leadership of this country has forfeited the right to lead, and the person who's going to be the next congresswoman in the 4th Congressional District is Angie Paccione," Ritter said.

As the building shook with cries of "Angie, Angie!", Paccione predicted that Musgrave's days in Congress were numbered.

"Seventeen months ago when I got in this race, nobody thought I had a chance," Paccione said. "We're running against a two-term incumbent. They've thrown a whole lot of mud and spent $6 million spreading lies. But guess what, I'm still standing and we're up by three points in the polls."

The main focus of the rally was the next two days, as speakers exhorted Democrats to volunteer to get out the vote by calling voters and walking precincts. The state party is even offering to stop by voters' homes and pick up their absentee ballots.

"We're going to work to get every single vote out," said Pat Waak, chairwoman of the state Democratic Party.

Waak wore a bright blue shirt, a color that's become the Democrats' symbol.

Greeley is in Weld County, traditionally about as Republican "red" as any place in the state. Weld has 50,782 Republicans, 30,128 Democrats and 46,150 unaffiliated voters.

Ray Peterson, a rancher who is chairman of the Weld County Democratic Party, said Democrats have been working for several years to build up the local party.

"I feel like we're definitely far better organized," Peterson said.

"We have somebody in every precinct. If we can get the Republicans' margin down, that's a sign of success."

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