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GOP aim: Brown vs. Ritter

Former senator, CU boss says he won't run for guv

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 13, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Hank Brown, 68, says he's done with life as a politician.

Hank Brown, 68, says he's done with life as a politician.

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Run, Hank, run!

Several prominent Republicans have asked Hank Brown to challenge Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010.

They see Brown - a former U.S. senator who recently retired as president of the University of Colorado - as an unbeatable candidate because of his popularity.

"There have been a few souls misguided enough to suggest it," Brown said. "I'm not going to be a candidate. I have completed that portion of my life."

The 68-year-old Brown added that he believes Ritter would be tough to unseat, in part because "Coloradans re-elect their governors. Governors are fairly in tune with the state."

Ritter, who was Denver's district attorney, took office in January 2007. Asked about the 2010 race, his spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said the governor is "focused on solving problems, not elections."

Republicans believe Ritter is vulnerable on several fronts, including his handling of labor union issues.

Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, predicted Brown would crush Ritter in an election.

Democratic political consultant Steve Welchert laughed when he heard that Republicans had asked Brown to run for governor. He said that if Republicans are asking Brown, they're worried about finding a candidate to unseat Ritter.

Among those mentioned as possible 2010 contenders are Gardner, Attorney General John Suthers, state Sens. Josh Penry of Grand Junction and Tom Wiens of Castle Rock, and Congressman Tom Tancredo of Littleton, who is retiring this year.

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327

Comments

  • June 13, 2008

    9:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rushrulesbaby writes:

    I will definately support Brown against Ritter! Brown is a conservative and will stop the tide of runaway spending set in motion by Ritter!!

  • June 13, 2008

    10:05 a.m.

    DenverDan writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • June 13, 2008

    10:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MrJim writes:

    John Suthers should run, he would be an outstanding Gov. Tough on crime, and a strong fiscal conservative. El Paso County misses you John.

    Tom Tancredo.... Interesting thought. I bet we would see an ICE office in every city, town, and county if Tom was Gov. That would be a good thing.

  • June 13, 2008

    10:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverDan writes:

    Shags

    people are struggling to pay mortgages and keep up with rising energy costs.

    You can thank your Boy Bush Jr.For that, or are you just like all the narrow minded people on the right who dont want to be confused with facts because your mind is made up.

  • June 13, 2008

    11:06 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverDan writes:

    SAS

    Dont drink the Bong water! You must be a good football fan. Because you stand by the (R) next to name even if it is Bush! You must learn how to admit you got it wrong this time. You voted for this crap that we are in Twice. When Bush started gas was $1.89 now it is at $4.05. You want to blame Obama for that too.

  • June 13, 2008

    12:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Lonestar writes:

    I have not seen a single analysis from an economist that would agree with you. The price of gas is mostly due to the price of oil, which is a global market. The global demand has grown and keeps growing. The price of oil is also affected by the commodity and futures markets. Oil prices can change dramatically just because of these markets even if supply and demand have not changed. The price of gas is horrible, but there is not much any US president can do about it alone. The congress is mostly to blame for this. If they were to OK increased domestic exploration and production, just the promise of that would affect the futures and commodity markets and the price of oil would drop, probably over night. There is nothing wrong with alternative energy sources, but they won’t help anyone for a long time. In the mean time, the congress just lets the economy rot.