I know what you're thinking - what am I talking about. Of course we're a democracy. Not only are we a democracy, but as an enlightened liberal politically aware populace, we understand and support our democracy.
Really?
With the commendable exception of the upcoming City Council election, the majority of elections here, both in the Democratic primary and in the general election are either uncontested or so lopsided they might as well be uncontested.
And the primary responsibility for our sad state of affairs is… The Republican party. For better or worse our system is a 2 party system. Even in Boulder the odds of a Green or Libertarian being elected are essentially zero.
So where are the Republicans? Yes they occasionally run a sacrificial lamb but where are the serious credible candidates - candidates that can win? It wasn't always this bad, Sandy Hume and Bob Greenlee both ran and won. And both earned respect for doing a good job.
Saying Republicans can't win here is just a lame excuse for not putting in the hard work required to win. Our problem is that our local Republicans are a bunch of girlie-men who would rather sit around and complain rather than do something.
So what if the Republicans decide to get it in gear?
The largest issue is that the Republicans need to find compelling moderate candidates. Wingnuts will lose. In the free market of ideas that a campaign is, the Republicans need to respond to the demands of that market and supply candidates that the voters here find compelling. The problem is not that the voters don't want what the Republicans have been selling, it's that the Republicans need to change their "product." The Republican party claims to believe in the free market - well listen to the market and respond.
Because people in Boulder will respond to a moderate candidate that looks to the free market first, with maybe some incentive from the government, rather than to a government program that might make some use of the free market. People in Boulder will respond to a candidate that sees America as a land of equal opportunity but not a land of equal results, as long as the candidate understands that equal opportunity sometimes requires help from the government.
The other excuse Republicans will use is it's difficult in the present political environment for Republicans. Damn straight it is - but do Republicans run away when the going gets tough or do they step up and try harder. And if the Republican party is to recover, it will be through the efforts of moderates that can get elected in places like Boulder, not the wingnuts elected from the remaining ultra-conservative enclaves left in the country.
So where to start? The best place to start is executive level offices. One legislator generally does not make a big individual difference. But a County Commissioner, a Sherriff, a District Attorney - they all have direct responsibility for their departments. That specific person makes a big difference.
So where is the opportunity in '08?
The best opportunity is District Attorney. Mary Lacy has been a disaster and so people realize that who is elected matters. Stan Garnett has never run for election against an opponent and would probably be another mediocre DA - so voters would be very open to an alternative here.
Second is a wildcard - the County Clerk. If the City Council election is another disaster, which is quite possible, then this becomes the top opportunity because voters will be fed up with Democratic incompetence by then. If it is not a mess, then Hillary Hall is probably safe.
Third is County Commissioner. Most voters don't know much specific about the commissioners, but they do know that a lot of people are unhappy with a lot of county issues. That general unease provides opportunity. (Suggestion, go beg Pete Salas to switch to being a Republican and then back him 1000%.)
Sheriff - forget it. Joe Pelle could use prairie dogs for target practice and still win.
Next is CD-2. At present the argument would be forget it. We have three great Democratic candidates and most of us Dems would be happy with any of the three, we're just trying to decide which of the 3 Amigos we like best. But by the time the primary is over, which will probably be pretty brutal because it will be close, the winner could be, maybe, barely, beatable.
Finally we have the state House and Senate races - virtually impossible. The Dems barely have a majority in the legislature and with that majority they have taken the state government from lousy to effective, helpful, and progressive. People are not willing to risk that. But... Having quality candidates run who speak to continuing to have an effective progressive state government would get people thinking about it.
So why do I, an ardent Democrat, bring this all up? Well first, the long term health of our system requires that we have competitive races. We get problems like Mary Lacy and the County Commissioners because we have no alternative.
And second, I don't think the Republicans will do it. Making a credible compelling effort requires a lot of work on the part of a lot of people. It's much easier to just sit on your ass, let Bob Greenlee complain every Sunday in the Camera, and bitch about how if only the people would listen to them…
