In a file photo, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper delivers remarks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA — Using his own life as a foil, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday blasted the business record of Republican Donald Trump — mocking the former star of The Apprentice for his famous catchphrase.
“Now I’ve never hosted a reality TV show, but I know the true mark of a successful businessman is not the number of times you say ‘you’re fired,'” Hickenlooper said, riffing off an attack that’s been used all week at the Democratic National Convention. “It’s the number times you say ‘you’re hired.'”
The prime-time jab came a couple hours before Hillary Clinton delivered her acceptance speech on the last night of the four-day convention.
He began though with a story about his own career that’s well-known to Colorado voters.
“Thirty years ago, almost to the day, I lost my job,” Hickenlooper said. “And it wasn’t just me, a whole generation of geologists lost their careers in that recession. It is hard when you feel you aren’t wanted any more.”
He recounted how he then rebounded to “start the first brewpub in Colorado,” but only could do so with money from 34 small investors, two bank loans and cash from the city of Denver and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Sure, it was my buddy and I that took the risk. But as Hillary Clinton says, ‘it takes a village’ — businesses, government, nonprofits — working together to create opportunity,” he said. “She understands that even in Colorado, land of rugged individualism, our economy is stronger together.
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Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gestures after the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton points into the audience on the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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A supporter cheers as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 28, 2016.
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A delegates holds up a flag as Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Balloons fall after Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton spoke during the final day of the Democratic National Convention, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Philadelphia.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is joined by Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., after addressing the delegates during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 28, 2016.
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Balloons descend as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton celebrates on the fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center on July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Chelsea Clinton and former President Bill Clinton applaud as Hillary Clinton speaks during the final day of the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is embraced by her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, at the end of the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, acknowledges the crowd at the end of the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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U.S. Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton reaches for ballooons on the final day of the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton embraces her daughter Chelsea Clinton after being introduced on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gives her thumbs up as she appears on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Thursday, July 28, 2016.
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 28, 2016.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton delivers remarks during the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
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Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gestures during the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia.
“And as a small business man, then mayor of Denver and now governor, I’ve seen how partnerships drive economies,” he said. “Today, Denver is the fastest growing big city in America, and Colorado has the second strongest economy in the country.”
A longtime Clinton supporter, Hickenlooper has been mentioned as a possible pick for her cabinet if she wins the White House. But Hickenlooper told The Denver Post on Wednesday that it would be his preference to serve out his second term.
