Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Salazar keeping quiet on Dem pick

Senator: Clinton, Obama equal on Hispanic issues

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 16, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

Text size  

More Denver Democratic National Convention 2008

More stories »

Sen. Ken Salazar is going to stay out of Democrats' Texas two-step.

As the fight for the party's presidential nomination shifts into the Lone Star state on March 4, the eyes of Texas are on Hispanic voters.

Nearly half of the state's Democratic electorate is Hispanic, so Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have been trying to get the edge by enlisting high-profile Hispanic leaders to press their cases.

Clinton has surrogates like Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., on her team. Meanwhile, former Denver Mayor Federico Pena does Hispanic outreach for Obama.

As one of the top Hispanic elected officials in the country, Salazar's nod could add some clout.

But in a telephone interview Friday, Salazar said he's going to remain an undecided superdelegate until very late in the nominating process, when he decides which contender gives Democrats the best chance to beat likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.

Salazar said he sees Clinton and Obama as equal on issues affecting Hispanic voters.

"I think people in the Hispanic community know the Clintons have been strong advocates of equal opportunity and respect for the culture and institutions of the Hispanic community," Salazar said. "With respect to Sen. Obama, some members of the Hispanic community don't yet know him. I think he'd be equally an advocate for the community. I don't see a difference between the two candidates for being equally inclusive of the Latino community."

Meanwhile, since one contender could end up in the White House and the other could end up back in the Senate working next to him, Salazar said he doesn't want to burn any bridges.

"For me, first and foremost, I'm going to be U.S. senator from Colorado and I have to keep that in mind," Salazar said.

Salazar said he has spoken with both Clinton and Obama repeatedly over the past year. Meanwhile, their surrogates - fellow senators or other campaign operatives - have pressed him repeatedly. And in Colorado, supporters of his 2004 campaign often urge him to join their side of the presidential contest.

Still, he said he plans to stay on the sidelines indefinitely.

He gave a diplomatic dodge when asked whether Obama or Clinton matched up best against presumed Republican nominee Sen. John McCain: "I think both of them have their strengths. . . ."

Comments

  • February 16, 2008

    5:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    I_am_not_fooled writes:

    Ah yes....we have a follower not a leader as our senator. Mr Salazar is too afraid that he might offend the eventual winner should he support the wrong candidate. Is this the kind of person we really need in this position?
    This is the typical path he has taken on most issues. Ken Salazar is a fence sitter and we will never know where he stands on any issue until he believes it has a political benefit to him.
    Remember this when he runs for re-election!

  • February 16, 2008

    6:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    raoul writes:

    "For me, first and foremost, I'm going to be U.S. senator from Colorado and I have to keep that in mind".

    Except when that hispanic pride thing takes over, than I pander to all my brethren and to hell with the rest of you folks I'm supposedly representing. Just be happy I'm speaking English. ok!

  • February 16, 2008

    8:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LaszloPanaflex writes:

    Why even ask him? He votes with the Republicans on every major issue.

  • February 16, 2008

    8:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    skisb writes:

    Sen. Salazar was sworn in and pledged to "defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Yet, he sided with the Republic Party and voted to provide immunity for the telecommunications companies in the FISA bill. In general, why does someone get immunity? Because they have broken the law.

    Our government has admitted spying domestically WITHOUT a warrant and now wants to grant immunity to the companies that allowed it. If the telecommunications companies broke the law, they have plenty of lawyers to advise them. If they did not break the law, why do they need immunity? Ken Salazar is perfectly fine supporting immunity. This is about the rule of law in this country. Everyone has the same laws to follow. OR used to.

    Have you read the Fourth Amendment lately, Sen. Salazar? Remember, the one you swore to uphold? Evidently not. You are a disgrace to Congress and the Constitution. And you are up for reelection in 2010. You will be replaced by someone who takes their oath of office seriously and represents their constituency, rather than shielding multi-billion dollar corporations from breaking the law.

  • February 16, 2008

    9:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverRocks writes:

    One might think that a two-to-one defeat of Hillary Clinton in Colorado would give Senator Salazar a clear understanding of his constituents' preference.

    Senator Clinton dismissed her caucus losses this week, noting that her husband never won some of these states. She specifically cited Maine and Colorado as examples. What does this mean? Hillary Clinton wrote off Colorado LONG AGO.

    Barack Obama could actually win this state; Hillary Clinton never will. By the way, Obama has clobbered Clinton in Colorado fundraising. Come on, Ken, snap out of it. Get off the fence!

  • February 16, 2008

    1:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    JYP3500 writes:

    It's called politics, and I commend Sen. Salazar for staying neutral for now. And who cares how Colorado voted, as it appears the superdelegates will decide the nominee this time around. If Sen. Salazar is not careful, he might actually be considered a vice presidential candidate. It would make lots of sense to soften Sen. Obama's 100% liberal voting record with a guy like Sen. Salazar, who votes for what he believes is right and appeals to both moderates & Latinos.

  • February 16, 2008

    4:02 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheUrbanRevolution writes:

    This is unacceptable. The people of Colorado have spoken and we expect to be heard. From Denver to the most rural portions of our great state - WE HAVE SPOKEN. Ken Salazar -- I challenge you not to do what is right, not what is political. You represent US, WE PAY YOU! We have decided on Obama and you need to fall in line. If not, please do not run for senate again, because we will not vote for you.