Would you say that Owens' popularity has sharply decreased since 2002?

[coloradodem2005]

He won re-election by a huge margin that year over his opponent, but has had very little success since then. His water bill got smacked down in every county. He separated from his wife amid rumors. He opposed FasTracks and Amendment 37 this year and they both passed. He passed on the Campbell's senate seat, which will soon be Salazar's senate seat. He got Pete Coors to run against Ken Salazar and Coors lost. He got Greg Walcher to run against John Salazar for CD 3 and Walcher lost. Due to people in the state becoming tense about budget problems, Democrats were swept into both houses of the state assembly and now have control of both houses. I guess, a re-election of an executive is the high water mark of the state or national party and then it goes down hill fast. The thing is, he had a 30% margin over Rollie Heath in 2002. That is why I think it is interesting.

[hlthe2b]

1. Considering Dems took back the State House and Senate--the first time

in 40 years, I think you could say so. I think his own "bad business at home," have forced a low profile on him. I see him every now and then at a grocery store near the Governor's Mansion-- unacompanied and not even getting the rare sycophant he used to have rushing up to drool at his feet.

[intheflow]

2. And let's not forget the computerized welfare system he pushed thru

that has left 20,000 people without food stamps since September throughout Colorado.

Personally, I never saw what the big attraction was to Owens in the fisrt place.

[eleny]

3. He sure had some short coattails

It surprises me that they resurrect him to be on the national cable talk shows every once in a while. Hopefully he'll vanish into history's dustbin.

We sure have had some colorful politicians. Hard to think about governors' indiscretions without recalling the images of Roy Romer's infamous high speed car chase with his honey by his side.

[paulk]

4. Rollie Heath was a weak candidate

and in 2002, a lot of voters hadn't really woken up to how crappy our economy really is here. They didn't see the Republicans as part of the problem - in 2004, they did.

[Turn CO Blue]

5. One of the radio morning shows used to have him on

as a guest, and (this is the kicker) -- the hosts always called him "the Love Guv".

Well, after that he had his extra-marital problems - so I guess they nailed the name, huh?

That's why he didn't go after Campbell's seat - Owens would have been fried alive after all that morality talk and his tight connection with Focus on the Family - and then his "backsliding" ...

Things have changed for him now - perhaps he could get Mayor of Federal Heights.