Ain't No Mountain High Enough

For the last two cycles, as the GOP has seen its fortunes slip nationwide, the party has especially felt the pain in the Mountain West. Now, as the GOP appears to be getting its act together, CO may be the scene of its resurgence.

-- Today's news that Aurora Councilor Ryan Frazier (R) is about to abandon his SEN bid for a run against Ed Perlmutter (D-07) marks the latest in a series of nat'l recruiting successes for the GOP. In Frazier, GOPers have a fresh face and a proven vote-getter from one of the CD's largest cities. This is a huge upgrade from '08, when the GOP could only muster a challenger who raised $36K for the race. While this isn't the same GOP-leaning CD that gave ex-Rep. Bob Beauprez (R) a relatively comfortable re-election bid in '04, it's still within reach.

-- But the party's hopes don't disappear outside the marginal 7th. On the Western Slope, John Salazar (D-03) is in the GOP's crosshairs, as his GOP-leaning CD has always given the socially conservative Dem the benefit of the doubt. Will that continue even with the changing enviro?

-- And Betsy Markey's (D-04) '08 win over then-Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R) epitomized the GOP's problems in the region, as Markey exploited Musgrave's obsession with social issues. Now, Markey will face state Rep. Cory Gardner (R), who has hinted he doesn't share Musgrave's passion for culture wars. And Markey also will have to fight a voting record that includes cap-and-trade and stimulus votes. Not the best weapons in a year, and a district, like this.