John Hickenlooper, in his first major speech as a presidential candidate, called Thursday for an end to divisive politics and a new era of American optimism that will fuel the work needed to solve the nation’s most onerous problems.
“At the end of my presidency, I want Americans to say: ‘It feels like the cloud has lifted. We feel closer to our neighbors and we’ve gotten some big things done,’” he told thousands of supporters in downtown Denver after the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains. “Just imagine how different our country will feel when we start moving toward each other again.”
Hickenlooper, the former Colorado governor and Denver mayor, entered the primary race Monday for a chance to take on President Donald Trump. He joined a field of candidates that’s among the largest and most diverse in U.S. history.
Hickenlooper’s candidacy has been considered quixotic by political observers, given his low national profile and his history as a moderate Democrat.
And in a moment made up of equal parts self-awareness and self-depreciation, he told the crowd Thursday: “I understand I’m not the first person in this race or the most well-known person in this race. But let me tell you: at four syllables and 12 letters, ‘Hickenlooper’ is now the biggest name in the race.”
His speech, which was punctuated by applause and laughter from the crowd, was delivered outdoors in brisk, nearly 50-degree weather in Civic Center, a park between Denver’s City Hall and the Colorado Capitol. The campaign claimed an audience of 5,000.
Hickenlooper wasted no time attacking Trump, an uncharacteristic move for a campaigner known for trying to keep things positive.
“(Trump) measures progress by the number of enemies he creates,” he said shortly after taking the stage. “He believes that by tearing others down he somehow raises himself up. These are not the metrics of America’s greatness.”
Hickenlooper’s opening shot at Trump allowed him to contrast his optimistic disposition and knack for consensus-building with the current president’s temperament.
“America stops working when we work against each other,” he said. “Our country stops making progress when we hunker down on the opposite side of the continental divide: Blue vs. red. Rich and poor. Urban and rural. It’s time to end this American crisis of division.”
He added: “It’s time to bring all Americans together. And that’s why I’m running to be the president of the United States of America.”
Near the end of his speech, Hickenlooper sketched a broad policy agenda that touched on health care, climate change, voting rights and a laundry list of progressive causes.
“When I’m president, we will declare as a country that health care is a right,” he said. And later: “We’ll bring the same relentless innovation we used to land on the moon to save our planet.”
Supporters Megan and Andy Magel said they like Hickenlooper’s track record of bringing people together and finding compromises.
“We’ve always liked him and the decisions he’s made for Colorado,” Megan Magel said before the rally. “We like that he’s more moderate. He’s a good guy to get behind.”
“He’s from Colorado,” Andy Magel added. “The country could use more of what Colorado’s got going on.”
Hickenlooper, 67, was joined on stage by several current and former elected officials and friends who shared stories as they endorsed him. Wellington Webb, who preceded him as Denver mayor, recounted Hickenlooper’s come-from-behind win in 2003 that launched his political career.
“Don’t underestimate John Hickenlooper … from the Wynkoop to the White House,” he said referring to the brewery Hickenlooper started before his political career. “John is the right person to beat Donald Trump.”
Hickenlooper’s opening party was crashed by the political left and right.
Flying above the park was a small plane with a tail that read “Big hickup for 2020: Jetgate Scandal,” a reminder of an open ethics investigation into Hickenlooper’s travel as governor.
On the ground, a group of protesters rallied at the entrance to the park. Their beef with Hickenlooper is that he’s not liberal enough. And later in the evening, a group of environmental activists chanted and booed as he spoke.
After Hickenlooper’s speech, the crowd was treated to Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, a Colorado folk music band. The frontman, Rateliff, told Hickenlooper supporters he is excited for the 2020 election. “I love you, John Hickenlooper,” he said before playing the last song.
On Friday, Hickenlooper leaves for his first trip to Iowa as a candidate. The state — a favorite travel destination of his in recent months — holds the nation’s first nominating caucus. He will then head to Austin, Texas, for the South By Southwest festival.
