In Iowa, John Hickenlooper says he could bring unique voice to 2020 presidential race

Kevin Hardy | The Des Moines Register

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If Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper makes a run for the White House — and there's a "pretty high probability" that he will — he said he wants to make sure his voice would stand out as unique in the crowded Democratic field.

The second-term governor and former Denver mayor sounded like a presidential candidate as he met with some 25 Democratic activists in downtown Des Moines on Friday evening: He shared his personal narrative — which spans from geology to beer-brewing. But he also called on Democrats to embrace pragmatic, business friendly policies if they want to fix a broken Washington, D.C.

Hickenlooper said he isn't ready to announce a bid for the White House — not yet, anyway.

"I think there's a pretty high probability that we're going to go ahead and do it," he said, after someone in the crowd asked the inevitable question. He said he continues to discuss the possibility of a presidential bid with his wife.

Hickenlooper is one of a plethora of potential presidential candidates already traipsing through the first-in-the-nation caucus state. Like others, he came to help the state's Democrats rally before the midterm election, with the added benefit of getting to know the Iowans who will decide the caucus winner in 2020.

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Hickenlooper said voters could benefit from hearing his message of governing through collaboration and building trust between government and businesses — even if he doesn't win.

"I think a lot of what we're talking about — making government work — should be heard by people in other parts of the country," he said. "You tell me: Do you think a moderate like myself would do very well in Iowa? Difficult question, right?"

It wasn't tough for the Des Moines crowd.

"Sure, we've got one running for governor right now," someone answered, referring to retired Democratic businessman Fred Hubbell, who is locked in a tight race for Iowa governor.

Earlier in the day, Hickenlooper spoke on a panel at the World Food Prize about ending hunger and malnutrition. And on Saturday, he planned to join Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts in Altoona and Newton.

Standing in a cramped back room at Bubba Southern Comforts in the evening, the governor said Democrats in Iowa and across the nation have a chance to reverse years of losses, and win big in next month's elections.

"It's such a cliche how important this midterm election is," he said. "It's immense."

Grabbing a fan pic now before @DeidreDeJear becomes the next Iowa Secretary of State! #YearoftheVoter #iapolitics pic.twitter.com/SZUMu3Oyaw — John Hickenlooper (@hickforco) October 20, 2018

Nick Klinefeldt, who served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa during Barack Obama's presidency, asked how deflated Democrats can win again in a time that Republicans maintain power of Congress, the White House and a majority of state legislatures. Indeed, Hickenlooper is among only 16 Democratic governors.

"You're an endangered species," Klinefeldt said. "That's not good."

More: Iowa's Democratic congressional candidates outraise GOP incumbents 3 to 1

To rise up, Hickenlooper said the party should restrain its appetite for tax hikes and reduce unnecessary red tape for businesses. Likewise, the governor said Democrats should own up to previous failures, like an inability to fix a broken immigration system long before President Donald Trump entered the scene.

He said Democrats could run the table for decades if they become the party of small businesses.

"You change people's lives dramatically in increments," he said. "You don't always have to have a revolution."

In September, Hickenlooper created a political action committee, igniting speculation that he was crystallizing his political aspirations, according to the Denver Post.

If he makes a run, the governor already boasts an Iowa connection — coveted currency ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses. He said he was an original investor in Raccoon River Brewing Co., which previously occupied the historic Clemens Building that now houses Bubba.

Before he entered politics, Hickenlooper was laid off as a geologist. In reinventing himself, he opened Wynkoop Brewing Co. in Denver, an experience that he says made him sensitive to the economic angst that drove many voters to Trump in 2016.

After speaking and fielding questions for about 40 minutes, the governor shook hands as activists munched on pimento cheese, deviled eggs and carrot sticks.

"As we say in Iowa, come early, come often," state Sen. Matt McCoy, who hosted the event, said at its conclusion. "We'll expect to see you soon."

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McCoy, who is running for Polk County supervisor, said he wasn't yet endorsing the Colorado governor or any presidential candidate. But he was impressed with his message and believes Democrats have good reason to look to the middle in 2020.

"That seems to be a good strategy for Democrats," McCoy said. "We've tried the edges and failed."