Political Notebook

Political Notebook

Political writer Mike Saccone explains the behind-the-scenes politicking that guides and defines governance on the Western Slope and throughout Colorado.

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The entry titled "Salazar: Population, pragmatism have helped Dems shift region blue," and any of the comments about it.

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Home > Political Notebook > Archives > 2008 > August > 20 > Entry

Salazar: Population, pragmatism have helped Dems shift region blue

By Mike Saccone | Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 12:24 PM

Democrats’ success in the Rocky Mountain West is both due to demographic shifts and the “pragmatic” candidates the party has put forward, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., said today during a press conference.

Salazar recalled how the population of Colorado has grown from roughly 3 million in 1990 to nearly 5 million this year: “I think the migration into the state has been one of the factors that has caused some change.”

In response to a question from Political Notebook, Salazar said “pragmatic” candidates, such as Gov. Bill Ritter, have helped the Democratic Party make gains in western elections.

“I think people saw both in the governor, and I think they saw in me, a very strong effort to bridge the partisan divide and try to solve problems,” Salazar said.

“I think people saw Bill Ritter as a pragmatic problem solver and that’s why he was elected here resoundingly in 2006,” he added.

*Salazar photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.

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