The 2008 election took the West another big step down the path of political realignment that has been underway since the turn of the century. By 2000, the Rocky Mountain West had become essentially a one-party region. All eight of its governors were Republicans, as were 13 of its 16 senators. In the 2000 election, […]
Daniel Kemmis
Posted inWotr
The West comes closer to speaking with a regional voice
Recent developments have given new impetus to the idea of a coordinated Rocky Mountain West presidential primary in 2008. Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman has asked that state’s Legislature to set aside $850,000 to enable Utah to hold an early presidential preference primary. Meanwhile, a special commission of the Democratic National Committee has recommended changes […]
Posted inWotr
Democrats hope for a new day in the West
Two recent events signal a new development in Western politics. The first is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s call for a Western primary in the mountain states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The second is the launching of a “Democrats for the West” initiative by leading Democrats from those […]
Posted inApril 12, 2004: The One-Party West
The One-Party West
With one foot in the cities and one foot in the country, Western Democrats can put hope back into political life
Posted inDecember 3, 2001: Closing the wounds
Powell’s enduring teachings
What remains so astonishing about John Wesley Powell is that someone whose policy recommendations were almost totally ignored while he was alive should continue to command the attention of so many Western observers and decision makers a century after his death. Powell’s career studying the West included expeditions into the Rocky Mountains and, most notably, […]
Posted inApril 10, 2000: Beyond the Revolution
Learning to think like a region
Environmental issues have nothing to do with political boundaries