Former Colorado state Sen. Mike Johnston (D) suspended his Senate campaign against Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) on Tuesday to avoid running against ex-Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), a former 2020 presidential candidate who’s now gunning for Gardner’s seat as well.
This shouldnt be a headline, but instead an email to Beto.
Country before career. Good man.
“I think [Hickenlooper’s] entrance required this to be a very different kind of race and required a negative race
Not sure why Hickenlooper’s entry into the race would force Johnston to go negative. Sounds more like Johnston doesn’t think his positive campaign message is enough to compete with Hickenlooper so he would have to negative.
How was Johnston polling? Is this noble, or merely realistic?
Johnston was generally considered to be running second behind Romanoff.
Perhaps both.
Perhaps he thinks that Hick has a much better chance, and he cares like we do about the Senate, which is slowly becoming possible.
Dems strategically coordinating to achieve a broader goal? Unpossible! I hereby order the naysayers to start up with the about-time, too little too late, yeah but Pelosi etc.
Beto seems to think that he wouldn’t be able to beat Cornyn (and he may be right), and not winning the presidential nomination might be less embarrassing than losing a second Senate race.
And the goodwill with the state/national party is a nice thing to have in your back pocket.
Fair enough, Cornyn may be unlikable, but Beto did lose to Cruz.
Though the presidential electorate may help.
This is how Democrats win. Pay attention other no-hoper Democrats running for president. Withdraw and run for Senate. America needs you.
@georgeh, save us!
I don’t question that at all, but that doesn’t translate into the need to go negative just because Hickenlooper has entered the race. He was well funded: “Mike Johnston, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, says he raised more than $1.8 million in the first three months of 2019.” He was also well funded when he ran for governor last year but lost to Jared Polis. I think he decided he can’t compete at that level, but I give him credit for doing his part to avoid what he sees as a potential “primary process [that] would break a lot of long-standing relationships in the state and would only increase the chances that a battered Democratic nominee would help Gardner win [reelection].”
I can hear #MoscowMitch McConnell screaming from here.
More, please. Beto?
Proof that sometimes cats herd themselves.
He’s said he ain’t gonna. He means it, let’s hope Hegar can take it. So, given that, Beto will be playing “anger translator”, something he excels at.
georgeh, save us!
This seems (to me) like deliberate provocation, not good-natured ribbing.
Let’s not go looking for a fight.
Am sure i’m not the only one who’s already gotten in touch with Mr. O’Rourke and sent him the same message as that which you suggest.