On the Scene

GOVERNOR Gloom to President Pessimist? Former Colorado Gov. Richard A. Lamm (Democrat, 1974-1987) earned the first nickname because his wariness about development took the unusual turn of worrying about the long-term viability—environmental, economic, social—of America itself. Now he has a chance to earn the second nickname too. Last week at the University of Denver, where he lectures, he announced that he would seek the presidential nomination of Ross Perot’s Reform Party. And, subject to Mr. Perot’s formidable whim, he will probably get it.

Lamm, 60, is a more significant figure than the national media recognize. He was, in the words of Jean Otto, former editorial-page editor of the Rocky Mountain News, “easily Colorado’s most popular governor,” re-elected for a record three times (despite some controversy over personal financial dealings), and narrowly defeated for the Democratic senatorial nomination in 1992 by another moderate, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, now a Republican convert.

RJ

About the Author

Rosemary Jenks

Featured Tags

Manage following

Immigration

Presidential Election

GOVERNOR Gloom to President Pessimist? Former Colorado Gov. Richard A. Lamm (Democrat, 1974-1987) earned the first nickname because his wariness about development took the unusual turn of worrying about the long-term viability—environmental, economic, social—of America itself. Now he has a chance to earn the second nickname too. Last week at the University of Denver, where he lectures, he announced that he would seek the presidential nomination of Ross Perot’s Reform Party. And, subject to Mr. Perot’s formidable whim, he will probably get it.

Lamm, 60, is a more significant figure than the national media recognize. He was, in the words of Jean Otto, former editorial-page editor of the Rocky Mountain News, “easily Colorado’s most popular governor,” re-elected for a record three times (despite some controversy over personal financial dealings), and narrowly defeated for the Democratic senatorial nomination in 1992 by another moderate, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, now a Republican convert.