Colorado Springs Gazette endorses Denver mayor Hickenlooper

Some members of The Gazette’s editorial board expected gubernatorial candidate and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, given hard questions, to out himself as just another standard-fare liberal Democrat eager to present government as the vehicle that drives the economy and determines the quality of life in Colorado. That did not happen, and the board was unanimous in deciding to endorse Hickenlooper as the next governor of Colorado.

Republican Dan Maes and Tom Tancredo, the American Constitution Party candidate, also met for 90 minutes each with the board. Maes clearly lacked the depth and experience needed for the job, and he entertained an almost delusional belief that he might win. He’s known as a great salesman, but Maes came nowhere near selling the board on the merits of electing him. Tancredo was affable and had a firm grasp of the issues, but he fell short of leaving an impression the state would grow, prosper and become more free under his leadership. Furthermore, the board felt certain Tancredo would spend exorbitant time and energy imposing an Arizona-style immigration law that could only harm the economy.   – More -