On The Blueprint: How Democrats Won Colorado by Adam Schrager and Rob Witwer

The Blueprint: How Democrats Won Colorado by Adam Schrager and Rob Witwer was a short book reviewing the political and organization strategy employed by a key group of political power players in Colorado from about 2000-2008. The book was published in 2010. I’d be curious for an updated edition as Colorado appears solidly blue and one of the key players, Jared Polis, is now Governor of Colorado in his second term. 

This book’s main point can be summed up by a quote from Jon Caldara, Republican and president of the Independence Institute in the Epilogue: “Democrats won with equal parts spectacular Democratic strategy, massive funding, and Republican implosion,” (p167). It’s interesting, as a young, relatively progressive person, to read about a very recent time when progressive politics and Democrats were so strongly in the lead. I wonder where this infrastructure is now. 

Additionally,  the book really highlighted that the key to political success is infrastructure and unity. It’s all about the long game. It’s interesting to think about this now in the context of political messaging today. For example, Democrats in CO had relatively few donors, but they were significant. Progressives today largely focus on small contributions, which make them more liable to a million different messages and less likely to please everyone. I’m not sure this is necessarily a bad phenomenon by any means, but each side (few donors, big contributions vs a lot of donors with small contributions) has its merits according to scale of a race. 

Overall, I found this book to be remarkably insightful, even handed in its opinions (many Republican lawmakers/players were quoted), and helpful for my entry into Colorado in a month. This book was a fantastic introduction to Colorado politics and I look forward to seeing the landscape for myself. It was filled with time tested and universally applicable quotes, which I’ve shared below.

Quotes: 

“‘If you rush it, it’ll die.’ This quality of patience would, in time, prove invaluable to the coalition-building at the heart of the Democratic turnaround in Colorado,” (p57). 

“Brilliant organization, unlimited resources, and the effective use of technology all in the hands of bright people who are driven by more than just simple ideology create the most formidable campaign strategy imaginable,” from former Republican congressman Tom Tancredo (p157). 

“The rise of outside funding is frustrating to candidates. At least it should be if it isn’t…I think the other thing is, people are so burned out on politics you’re not getting the really good people. You’re getting the fringe in both sides. And I blame both parties there,” - Norma Anderson, former Colorado state senator (R) p164