A New Map Out West
The GOP has ruled the Rockies, but demographics give Democrats new hope
For his part, Democratic candidate Perlmutter, a former state senator who leads by double digits in some polls, said O'Donnell was masking his conservatism because his party is so unpopular. But Perlmutter also felt the need to establish his own independence. He told U.S. News he won't be in lock step with national Democrats. Still, his message is strongly anti-GOP. A fiery critic of the Iraq war, he says the Republicans have gotten America bogged down in the Mideast and on many issues at home. More generally, Perlmutter said most Coloradans today reject the extremes in either party. "People in this state are, at a basic level, moderate, independent thinkers," he told U.S. News.
But neither candidate should rest easy. After the Wheat Ridge forum, a waiter at the chicken-and-pasta luncheon was asked his impression of the candidates. He preferred not to give his name but admitted he hadn't paid much attention to what O'Donnell and Perlmutter were saying because he had been too busy serving food and clearing dishes. He will make his decision later. Like many other westerners, he said he usually votes Republican but is open to the other side this year.
advertisement
