Rohrbough is third-party VP hopeful

Columbine was turning point for father of victim

By Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Matt Mcclain / The Rocky

Brian Rohrbough, father of Columbine victim Dan Rohrbough, stands at the Columbine Memorial in Jefferson County on Tuesday. Rohrbough is the vice presidential candidate for the new America's Independent Party. Alan Keyes is the presidential candidate for the small party.

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Brian Rohrbough says of his past political involvement: "At best, I was a pro-life couch potato."

Then, on April 20, 1999, his 15-year-old son, Dan, was killed at Columbine High School.

Rohrbough became known nationwide for participating in often successful fights to get the Jefferson County sheriff to release more information on the shootings. But also for his belief that an American culture of death - fueled by legalized abortion - helped the Columbine killers justify their actions.

Now, Rohrbough is the vice presidential candidate for the brand new America's Independent Party.

Alan Keyes, who has run as a Republican presidential candidate, is at the top of the ticket. Keyes was defeated by Barack Obama in 2004 in the race for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois that the Democratic presidential candidate now holds.

Don't expect AIP to make any major inroads, say a pair of local political observers. But Rohrbough is applying the same perspective to his vice presidential bid as he did to his quest for open records when people told him it was a waste of time.

"It doesn't mean it's easy," he said. "It's a just cause, worthy of the fight."

The 4-month-old AIP calls itself "the new home of conservatism." It is anti-abortion, recognizes marriage only between a man and woman, and wants to end the federal income tax.

AIP suddenly became the third-largest national political party in the country, said its chairman, Tom Hoefling, because it has affiliated with the American Independent Party and garnered its approximately 330,000 registered voters in California. But Hoefling said he doesn't know how many total members AIP has because it is too young.

The party is on the ballot in California, Colorado and Florida. For states that require registration for write-in candidates, the party is OK'd in Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah, with other states expected.

But because of time constraints, Rohrbough's name was not placed on the ballot in Texas and California. Those states have different vice presidential candidates.

"Were we to win, the Electoral College would have to work it out," Hoefling said.

Keyes recalls being struck by Rohrbough's poise as he spoke out after Columbine despite his grief. Keyes was also impressed with Rohrbough's words, including that Columbine was due to a turning away from God and prayer.

The anti-abortion movement eventually put Rohrbough and Keyes face to face around two years ago as Rohrbough's political resume has grown to include past president of Colorado Right to Life and current president of Denver-based American Right to Life.

Rohrbough said his main job is not traditional campaigning, but the bureaucratic work of getting the party on as many ballots in as many states as possible.

Keyes said AIP has a chance because many people do not believe the Republicans or Democrats represent "moral premises."

But University of Colorado political science professor Scott Adler said parties such as AIP "barely get any votes."

"The reality is that no voters will know who they are," he said.

Democratic political strategist Matt Moseley believes AIP would be more likely to draw votes from Republicans, but added, "In my experience, third parties don't necessarily detract from either Republicans or Democrats unless it's a major effort."

Brian Rohrbough

* Work: Small business owner

* Age: 49

* Born: Casper

* Residence: Morrison

* Family: Married to Lisa Rohrbough, two children.

His son, Dan, 15, by a previous marriage, died at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.

America's Independent Party

Main platform points

* Acknowledge individuals' reliance on God.

* Assert that personhood begins at conception.

* Defend the Bill of Rights.