May 23, 2009
Posted: May 23rd, 2009 05:42 PM ET

From
Ken Salazar is one of two members of the president’s cabinet who has been mentioned for the court vacancy.
Ken Salazar is one of two members of the president’s cabinet who has been mentioned for the court vacancy.

(CNN) – Colorado’s top elected Democrats are urging President Obama to look west for his Supreme Court nominee – pushing the Secretary of the Interior, native son Ken Salazar, for the opening.

Gov. Bill Ritter and Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennett sent the letter to the White House Thursday asking Salazar be given “serious consideration for this crucial appointment”.

In the letter, they said Salazar “brings the perspective of a Westerner and one of the Hispanic community’s leading voices.” Describing his rise from “humble beginnings in Colorado’s rural San Luis Valley” to state Attorney General and senator, they tout him as a contender “who can add a new perspective to the court.”

Salazar is one of two members of the president’s cabinet who has been mentioned for the court vacancy, along with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Filed under: Ken Salazar • Supreme Court


Craig in Williams, AZ   May 23rd, 2009 10:03 pm ET

The last thing we need on the highest court is another WHITE guy (and I am a white guy)

A different point of view would be refreshing for a change....

David   May 23rd, 2009 9:58 pm ET

DEAR GOD! Please do not make this decision. As a Colorado resident I can tell you this would be a horrible choice.

Peter E   May 23rd, 2009 9:41 pm ET

The SCOTUS pick should be based on experience and competence, not race or ethnicity! The last Justice picked based on race was Clarence Thomas by Bush Sr., who has been picked to replace the retiring Thurgood Marshall. Since then Thomas turned out to be the laziest, most partisan, most incompetent judge ever on that court!

S Callahan   May 23rd, 2009 9:24 pm ET

Oh goodness....a woman with the last name beginning in 'S' is the right choice......

Had It   May 23rd, 2009 8:58 pm ET

On the lighter side – he may be just what we need, but think the hat has to go – HA

BOB DOLE   May 23rd, 2009 8:57 pm ET

KEN SALAZAR is widely respected as a highly educated wise ,thoughtful and fair man in the SENATE and Washington and would be a excellent supreme court justice..

Michele   May 23rd, 2009 8:45 pm ET

No, this one needs to go to a woman, and there are many qualified candidates. Do not raid the new Cabinet for this pick.

Jeff W.   May 23rd, 2009 8:05 pm ET

I would never chhose a person who wears such a stupid hat.

The Party of NO is only "pro-life" so they can kill the "babies" 18 years later as soldiers in an elective religious war!   May 23rd, 2009 8:00 pm ET

Salazar should loose the hat and the "cowboy" image.

After the shrub that is NOT a good connection, kind of like Dukasis and a tank.

Rosie   May 23rd, 2009 7:45 pm ET

Hell no! He is a conservative who would probably vote with the majority of the right leaning justices.

BOUDIN   May 23rd, 2009 7:44 pm ET

He would certainly be a better choice than Nap

Richard A. Spomer, Alexandria, VA   May 23rd, 2009 7:44 pm ET

That would probably be a much better choice; by far over that of a Black-Mexican Women, or that of a Women with Asian descent.

As long as they interpret the law of the land the way it was intended or in favor of the people

MTM   May 23rd, 2009 7:17 pm ET

All we need is another man in power................not.

NO!!!   May 23rd, 2009 7:12 pm ET

Sen. Bob Bennett, Interior Secretary Salazar end spat over oil leases
and now Michael Bennett sent the letter to the White House Thursday asking Salazar be given “serious consideration for this crucial appointment President Obama just say no and on searching

T.J. in Denver   May 23rd, 2009 7:08 pm ET

Just what we need ... another Catholic on the high court. Aren't there like five, already?

Chris (DC)   May 23rd, 2009 7:04 pm ET

You must be kidding me. It is bad enough he was a US Senator and then picked as Interior Secretary, but to put him on the highest court would be a night mare. He is no Democrat, he is a unabashed right-winged extremist from the west. What this country needs it to remove him from any elected office. There are tremendous Hispanic men and women who are qualified for this job and Salazar isn't one of them. He and his brother are an embarassment, not something to admire.

Karen - Missouri   May 23rd, 2009 6:57 pm ET

I don't like that he's "spokesman" for Hispanics. Why not get a real hispanic? Again, the white guy in the Supreme Court? I have to agree that it's a rather lopsided bench. And, by the way, I'm white and non-hispanic. I believe Obama just needs someone with good experience and background and who isn't "old".

C Spurgeon   May 23rd, 2009 6:56 pm ET

I like the Governor.

No Hope   May 23rd, 2009 6:51 pm ET

and why wouldnt the Dems want another LIER . stack the deck for Obama, then he can be what he wants, dictator of the free world.

markiejoe   May 23rd, 2009 6:46 pm ET

Among equally distinguished and qualified candidates, the Supreme Court definitely needs a woman this time around. Sorry, Ken.

Gary   May 23rd, 2009 6:37 pm ET

I've seen Ken on TV and he is hilarious. I like him and I'd vote for him for alot of different positions. But Supreme Court Justice? I'm not sure that he is qualified.

Reviewing his record, he is a strong environmentalist but otherwise a moderate-to-conservative Democrat? Tough on crime in the past. Is he even Pro-choice? He could be the Democrat's David Souder.

Texas Teacher   May 23rd, 2009 6:37 pm ET

I like that GOB.... Grand ole Bastar.... well, you know what I mean! The Grand ole Party of the Fat Cat Bastar... 's..... rather fits if you ask me! :)

Vera   May 23rd, 2009 6:31 pm ET

American voters are wiser and know better than that. It is important what the people want.

Texas Teacher   May 23rd, 2009 6:27 pm ET

All I want to know is if he is qualified... and the best qualified for the job? And then... does he represent the majority of us who voted for President Obama? We voted for Obama to change the politics as usual in D.C. We voted for him to listen to us.... We, the People.. instead of the Fat Cat Wealthy of the GOB... I mean... GOP! We are sick of being left out... we are sick of being the beasts of burden who are so easily forgotten when the product can be produced more cheaply somewhere else... and we are sick of supporting this very interprize with our TAX DOLLARS!

Truth-Bomb Thrower   May 23rd, 2009 6:18 pm ET

I have a problem respecting anyone who wears a cowboy hat with a business suit.

Ella Ward Graft   May 23rd, 2009 6:07 pm ET

salazar is the wrong choice for the court. go hillary

betty   May 23rd, 2009 6:03 pm ET

You lousy male pigs !! What you really want is an all-male supreme court so WOMEN have no say at all in how the country is run or in laws that affect us. If you could, you'd take away our right to vote, our right to be gainfully employed, our right to hold property, our right to custody of our children and our right to legal protection against husbands who beat us–exactly as it was when my grandmother was young.

Not Your Type Of Socialist   May 23rd, 2009 6:01 pm ET

Sad day for this country when there are people that want a nominee for the Supreme Court to have what is called a new perspective.

The only perspective a justice needs to have on the Supreme Court is the rule of law and a great knowledge of our Constitution.

I don’t care what their background was, other then do they know anything about the law!

We do not need a judge that uses his/her reinterpretation of what our founding fathers wrote down in the U.S Constitution.

KT   May 23rd, 2009 5:55 pm ET

Appoint the best man... not a man to fulfill a quota.

Charlie in Maine   May 23rd, 2009 5:36 pm ET

I just said on the other posting that I hoped he could find someone like William O Douglas. Thanks for your suggestion Colorado he looks like a keeper. As plus he's already been through the confirmation process for Interior.

I laugh at Limbaugh daily   May 23rd, 2009 5:26 pm ET

Wont happen.Eight years worth of Redneck cowboys in any office is enough.Bush and Cheney forever disgraced the cowboy image and the hat.I wont even vacation in a red state now.

skyhawkdriver   May 23rd, 2009 5:26 pm ET

Anybody but napolitano..I think bugs bunny would be a better nominee than her..of course she might have classafied him as a domestic terrorist also

Franky   May 23rd, 2009 5:12 pm ET

Hmm, not bad, not bad all...

pam Eugene OR   May 23rd, 2009 5:11 pm ET

He may be an OK pick but he is too old. President Obama needs to pick someone who can impact the court for many years.

The Corporate Company   May 23rd, 2009 5:07 pm ET

LOL. How funny is that. As if its really been easy for Obama to keep decent tax paying folk in the cabinet. That will never happen CO. Imagine how hard it will be to replace him!

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