After my silly run-in with Senator Salazar last week, I received this e-mail–the writer could add to it “defended Condi Rice’s nomination” after yesterday:

I could be wrong, but I think we want to keep an eye on this guy. He is relatively independent, and we don’t want to forget that his predecessor converted (from Democrat to Republican).
He tried to avoid campaigning with Kerry – finally giving in one time.
He advised Colorado that voting for the split electoral vote could not legally apply in the 2004 election – something that Democrats did not want him to do.
He introduced and recommended Alberto Gonzalez – supposedly at his (Salazar’s) request….
His question “times” on Senate committees have, so far, been both smart and moderate
While he has the Hispanic name and is from Colorado, he is the descendant of the New Mexico Spanish who preceded the pilgrims.
Bush, in his speech to the new congressmen and senators, specifically called out the newly elected Salazar brothers (one in the House), making me think that he is courting them also.