Colorado more than a swing state, a model for Obama’s energy plans, Ritter says

GRAND JUNCTION — The West’s growing influence on national politics brought the presidential race to the Western Slope in a rare way Monday, when Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama stopped in Grand Junction on a tour to win over Colorado voters.

Obama’s visit to the Western Slope — the first in 12 years for a presidential candidate — signals state’s importance in the race for president.

The previous candidate to campaign in western Colorado’s largest city was Republican Bob Dole, whose father-in-law was born here, according to the Associated Press.

“This is in fact (a) swing state and at the end of the day, there are a fair number of swing states, probably up to 10,” said Gov. Bill Ritter in a Monday interview with the Daily Press. “This is an absolutely critical state for the Obama campaign and my purposes for America.”

Colorado could do more than provide swing votes. It’s providing a preview on Obama’s new energy economy plans, which include drilling, Ritter said.

“It’s also about renewable energy, about efficient energy, about alternative forms of energy and about the commitment that he’ll make to creating a different economy around that,” Ritter said. “It’s very much what we’ve been talking about in this state for a long time.”

Beyond the energy issue, Obama talked about his understanding of the importance of Western water, issues important to rural America and recent news of the nation’s economy.

Obama voted in favor of the Farm Bill, while Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain voted against every bill in the last 15 years, Ritter said.

A recent The New Yorker article — titled “The Code of the West — What Barack Obama can learn from Bill Ritter” — said party leaders “have decided growth for Democrats is more likely to occur in the conservative but idiosyncratic West than in the solidly Republican South.” The article, Ritter said, captured where the state is politically.

In between appearances, he talked to Obama about energy.

“I talked about our Colorado energy economy, because of his whole idea about the new energy economy. He just gets it. If you look at his new energy plan that’s what it is.”

An estimated 5,800 people, including dozens of volunteers from Montrose, turned out for the Grand Junction event, said Jayne Bilberry, Montrose County Democratic Party chairwoman and convention delegate. “A bunch of Montrose people were just 8 feet away from Obama.” Local residents carpooled together to the event, she said.

“(Colorado) plays a very important role because we’re a battleground state. The Western Slope is very important, not just the (Front Range),” said Bilberry. Obama talked about the differences between him and McCain and touched on issues of education, rural America and renewable energy, she said.

Obama’s support of farming, and the intertwined issue of water, is something Bilberry said would appeal to Western Slope voters.

“Water is important to us,” she said. “Maybe some people think water is not a significiant issue in this campaign, but it is to the people who need it for their farms and to continue their rural livelihood.”