Former Governor and Mayor and Northeast Denver neighbor John Hickenlooper officially announces his candidacy for president at Civic Center Park on March 7. The supportive crowd cheered his city and state accomplishments and showed their support for his national goals.
People in a dozen or so states can claim a presidential candidate, but how many can claim someone who’s been their mayor, their governor, and their [Northeast Denver] neighbor? Regardless of political leanings, this was a Denver event to share.
Left: State Senator Rhonda Fields’ statement about Hickenlooper’s leadership and his capability to serve as president was what drew the biggest response from the crowd. (Although Fields and Hickenlooper differ on the death penalty—she supports it, he doesn’t—she supports his candidacy. Fields’ son and his fiancée were murdered and the perpetrators are on death row.) Middle: John Hickenlooper took the podium in Civic Center Park on March 7 to announce his candidacy. Right: When Hickenlooper’s friend, farmer Keith Bath from Eastern Colorado, spoke, this is what drew the biggest applause: “Can you remember when John was promoting random acts of kindness for us to do daily? That’s the kind of president we need. Someone who lifts us up. Brings people together. And stands up for what is right.”
Credit Hickenlooper with knowing his audience. Based on comments in the crowd, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats added to the numbers at the kickoff rally.
But what seemed even more important than these actual achievements was how he did it. “It’s time to bring all Americans together,” was Hickenlooper’s recurring theme of the evening—and the crowd responded with their support. At the rally, as well as his recent town hall on CNN, Hickenlooper credited his ability to bring people together with widely differing views and get them to really communicate and listen to each other as the key to his successes.
Using that ability to bring people together he told the crowd what he would get done as president: healthcare is a right (though he clarified on CNN that he supports universal healthcare through a combination of systems, not a single payer system); close loopholes and no more tax cuts for the wealthy; rejoin the Paris climate accord and exceed its goals; invest in the largest expansion of skills training and community colleges in this country’s history; universal broadband will be national policy; and undo years of efforts to disenfranchise African American voters and Latino voters. “Being a pragmatist doesn’t mean saying ‘no’ to bold ideas; it means knowing how to make them happen.”
Hickenlooper answered questions from voters at a CNN town hall in Georgia on March 20, citing Colorado programs as examples of his ability to solve problems and get things done.
How does Hicklooper’s candidacy stack up? Fred Brown, who covered politics for most of the 39 years he worked at the Denver Post and now teaches Media Ethics at Denver University, shared his generally favorable perspective: “He gets along and understands what reporters are after,” which may help him get better coverage. “People are still looking for a stronger national economy…and Hickenlooper can claim some credit for Colorado’s economy.” “He’s a scientist [geologist], that’s a strong point. He’d consult smart people.” “His years in office suggest he doesn’t have skeletons in the closet.” “He’s in a good place to talk about infrastructure.” “Trying to work with the other side is a good principle to stick to. It’s better than fighting the other side. Hick fits that description.”
Why these NE Denver neighbors went to the March 7 rally:
Far left: Grace Gautier, 34 yrs. in Clayton – “He was our governor and I want to see what platform he’s running on because there are so many candidates. It’s just a way to be more informed.” Middle left: Ali Van Skoik, 13 yrs. in Park Hill – “I followed his career as mayor and governor and I want to see where it goes. I’ve already been turned on by his print campaign. I like the way he runs his campaigns. I feel like he’s focused. I think my favorite thing about him is that he feels kind to me.” Middle right: Emily Hunt, 23 yrs. in Mayfair and mom lives in Mayfair (Hunt now lives in Westminster) – “I like what Hickenlooper did for Denver. I like what he did for the state. I think he’s balanced and pragmatic in his leadership. I think having someone with a business and local community background is appealing for where we’re at right now as a country…and I love Nathaniel Rateliff.” Far right: Sue Marek, 23 yrs. in Mayfair – “I’ve always liked him. I’m interested in what he has to say. And I wanted to see Nathaniel Rateliff. I think it’s exciting that someone from Colorado is running for president; we should support him.”
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