CO: Udall has decided not to challenge Nighthorse Campbell

BOULDER – Rep. Mark Udall won't challenge Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in the 2004 U.S. Senate election.

Udall confirmed his decision Tuesday.

<snip>

Two lesser-known Democrats plan to challenge Campbell: Denver lawyer Brad Freedberg and Colorado Springs educator Mike Miles. Former senator and presidential contender Gary Hart considered running for the seat, but stepped back until Udall made his decision.

Udall and Campbell enjoy a close personal relationship, and eat together regularly in the Senate dining room. But Udall had previously said, "In this business, there are times when you're in a position to run against a friend or you're opposed to a friend's point of view."

more...http://www.9news.com/storyfull.aspx?storyid=22363

Bad news...we need a strong candidate to have any shot at this race, and it currently doesn't appear that we have one.

he would have been our strongest nominee. But I still think Campbell is vulnerable. He only gets around 51% in match-ups.

Now it is time for Hart to throw his hat in the ring. Hart will trounce Campbell by maybe 70% of the votes.

Hart is easily our best candidate in this race.

Sometimes I feel like the Party is in terrible shape when we have to dig out retired politicians because those are the only Dems who can be competitive, the same goes with relying on incumbency, such as saying the only way Dems can keep LA is if Breaux decides to cancel retirement plans. If we are to be a strong party, we need to prove that new, young Dems are perfectly capable of waging strong, successful campaigns.

Politicians of the past, do get a lot of attention, but it's good to remember two things:

1. First, Republicans do the same thing (Liddy Dole and Lamar!)

2. Second, let's not forget Jon Corzine, Mark Pryor, Debbie Stabenow, Maria Cantwell, and Blanche Lincoln, all recent Senate candidates who were fairly new to the elected political game. Also, we have newer Democrats running strong like Joe Hoeffel, Nancy Farmer, Inez Tenenbaum, Brad Carson, and possibly Chris John of Louisiana.

Does anyone know if Gary Hart has taken himself out of the race?

I wish he would go for this seat. Campbell has never been wildly popular, has he?

I think he could be our best remaining candidate. I get nervous when I see our party running a "telecommunicatons specialist" or "investment advisor" for that high a position... it smells of "running unopposed".

My only two concerns with Hart are his age (I think he's 68?) and the McGovern connection.

There aren't a whole lot of people in Colorado who have actually voted for him before. He may not have the name recognition advantage we expect he would (and though it's funny in the current political environment, his "scandal" is associated with his name more than his Seante record).

If Dean is the nominee and the Republicans want to tie him to McGovern (and we know they will), it won't help that McGovern's chief campaign officer is also running in the same election (maybe we could get him in a debate? "I knew George McGovern, George McGovern was a friend of mine... Governor, you're NO George McGovern") :-)

I like Mike Miles alot, I think he's got a shot.