To nearly everyone's surprise,
Colorado Democrats yesterday ousted party leader Chris Gates in favor of Pat Waak. This is a solid victory for grassroots politics about which all Democrats should be ecstatic.
The conventional wisdom--espoused, of course, by our conservative newspapers and TV outlets, and by the "Salazar Democrats" who run the several Colorado political blogs--was that Gates could not be beaten. After all, the State House and Senate were both won by Democrats, and we sent Ken Salazar to Washington. Why mess with success?
But Gates took a lot of criticism for his heavy-handed treatment of Senate contender Mike Miles and of other state-level candidates. Chris Gates was a decent fundraiser, but was often hostile to grassroots groups.
Clearly, a majority of hard-working Democrats credit the volunteer hordes and changing nature of Colorado with our improved fortunes, not the former Party Chair.
Pat Waak is the Executive Director of the High Plains Environmental Center and Foundation in Loveland. She ran unsuccessfully in Colorado's CD4 primary in 2002, losing to Stan Matsunaka (who eventually lost, as he did again in 2004, to Marilyn Musgrave). She is a longtime Democrat and activist who is focused on inclusion, a broader volunteer base, more open communication between county organizations, and training to empower volunteers at all levels.
Gates is challenging her narrow victory--187 to 184 votes of the State Central Committee. But her win will stick. This is a big victory for the Colorado Democratic Party, and is similar to what has happened in other states.
Let's get Pat Waak off to a great start by donating a few bucks to the Colorado Democratic Party. A Democratic Governor in 2006, Mark Udall as our other Senator in 2008...things are looking up in the Centennial State.