gas
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Colorado’s diverse energy resources are bountiful and their development is a crucial issue for many voters here. But the presidential campaigns haven’t made energy a centerpiece of their campaigns in the state.
With rare exceptions tailored for specific campaign stops, other topics have taken precedence over energy: The economy, job creation, and, occasionally, women’s issues are driving the conversation about who will be president in 2013.
“The American public has yet to really make the link between energy and the economy in their own collective mind,” The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza wrote in his new book, the Gospel According to the Fix. “Though very few politicians are talking about it, there’s actually good news on the energy front; domestic oil output is the highest it has been since the early 2000s, and the country is producing natural gas like gangbusters.”
Although there is tension between renewable energy and fossil fuel workers in Colorado, avoiding the topic altogether means neglecting a huge sector of the state’s economy and a significant voting demographic.
The middle ground Colorado has found in energy resources is working, and turning a deaf ear to that could hurt the presidential hopefuls in the western swing state.
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Although he wasn’t the caucus choice in February, Colorado Republicans are now mustering support for Mitt Romney, who hopes to turn what was a blue state in 2008.
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Students line up to see President Obama speak at the Coors Center in Boulder, Colo. on April 24.
Rick Santorum was the Colorado Republicans’ preference in the February precinct caucuses and two months later, with Santorum no longer a contender, conservatives staked their interests in a number of independent candidates and Ron Paul.
As Romney takes the driver’s seat, however, the conservative population in Colorado is pulling itself together to rally around him for what will be a close presidential battle here.
Why candidates shouldn’t ignore Colorado energy resources heading into August
Colorado Republicans warming up to Romney
About The 12
The 12 is a group Tumblr of The Washington Post and student journalists in 12 battleground states documenting the 2012 presidential election and capturing perspectives of young voters.
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