Beauprez: Senate run possible

Defeated candidate for guv won't rule out future attempt

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 5, 2006 at midnight

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WASHINGTON - Rep. Bob Beauprez hasn't ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate, and on Monday he took steps to make sure people keep hearing his views.

His gubernatorial campaign committee sent an e-mail to supporters signed "Bob," in which he talks about lessons Republicans could learn from this year's elections. He also invited people to sign up for a new e-mail-based newsletter he plans to use for regular updates on national issues.

Beauprez, 58, is within days of leaving Capitol Hill for the last time as a congressman. He already has had to move out of his office suite, and his remaining staff members are relegated to a basement cubicle alongside other departing lawmakers.

Still, even in the wake of his sound defeat to Democrat Bill Ritter in the governor's race last month, Beauprez is determined not to fade away.

"I will draw on my experience in Congress to provide a perspective on the war on terror and other current issues," Beauprez wrote. "With Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, it will bear watching their legislative attempts relative to health care, education, taxation and economic policy, as well as the big issues of illegal immigration and homeland security."

Beauprez's move comes at a time when political observers in Colorado are waiting to hear whether Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, will honor a long-standing pledge to serve only two terms or seek re-election in 2008.

In a recent interview with CBS 4 News, Beauprez would not rule out a future Senate run, telling interviewer Terry Jessup: "We'll take a serious look at almost any opportunity, including that one, I suppose."

Launching an online platform is at least a sign that Beauprez wants to stay in the middle of big debates, said GOP political consultant Katy Atkinson.

"He clearly isn't through with public policy, whether or not it necessarily translates into another run for elective office," Atkinson said. "It's almost impossible to speculate on that."

Beauprez could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Beauprez lost to Ritter by more than 15 percentage points. In Monday's e-mail, he alluded to things he could have done differently, but he also pointed to national factors that boosted Democrats this year.

"As we analyze results in Colorado, and nationally, there are also lessons to be learned for our party about our strategy, as well as that of our opponents," Beauprez said. "Clearly, it was a difficult year for Republican candidates across the country, facing disfavor with unaffiliated voters on a scale, and with intensity, not seen since the post-Watergate election of 1974."

Atkinson said the political battlefield could change again two years from now, so the 2006 defeat does not disqualify Beauprez for seeking another statewide office.

"He obviously has lost his aura of being invincible, but two years ago none of us even thought Bill Ritter could get the Democratic nomination" for governor, Atkinson said.

Sean Murphy, Beauprez's congressional chief of staff, said he did not know his boss' future ambitions.

"He's a very smart man and feels passionately about Colorado," Murphy said. "He wants to continue to find a way to keep contributing to society. I don't know how that will end up manifesting itself, but I certainly don't expect to see him fading into the sunset."

Based on Beauprez's drubbing in the governor's race, one liberal activist said he was not worried about a potential Beauprez-for-Senate bid in two years.

"I think he has no real political future in elected office," said Michael Huttner, executive director of the group ProgressNow Action, which launched a Web site during the governor's race accusing Beauprez of waffling as "Both Ways Bob."

Huttner speculated that Beauprez has built friendships over the years that could put him in line for a presidential appointment or other job.

But if Beauprez mounts another run for state office, Huttner said, "I believe Beauprez will have a very difficult time shaking loose of the 'Both Ways Bob' phenomenon. . . . He simply had too many inconsistencies."

Sean Conway, Allard's chief of staff, said Beauprez's online moves make good sense politically, whether he's considering a Senate run or a bid to get back his 7th Congressional District seat in 2008.

"I think what he's doing is very wise," Conway said.

"Colorado history is full of examples of people who have lost and come back in a different climate."

You've got Bobmail

To make sure voters don't forget his name, former gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez announced his intention to circulate an electronic newsletter. Some excerpts from this week's e-mail:

• Clearly, it was a difficult year for Republican candidates across the country, facing disfavor with unaffiliated voters on a scale, and with intensity, not seen since the post-Watergate election of 1974.

• With Democrat majorities in the House and Senate, it will bear watching their legislative attempts relative to health care, education, taxation and economic policy, as well as the big issues of illegal immigration and homeland security.

• I'm going to use this space to communicate critical ideas on important issues, thoughts to advance the cause of our party and our candidates.

• Best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous holiday season!

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