Overview of S6 Ep47: Kyle Clark: Colorado's Mad Libs
This episode of The Bulwark’s Focus Group examines Colorado’s 2024–2026 political landscape through the lens of journalist Kyle Clark, host of Next with Kyle Clark on Denver’s 9NEWS. The conversation focuses on why Colorado Democrats are restless with longtime incumbents, how “fight” has become a defining quality for primary voters, and why seemingly safe blue-state races still contain real intraparty tension. Major names discussed include Lauren Boebert, Michael Bennett, Phil Weiser, John Hickenlooper, Diana DeGette, and Governor Jared Polis.
Colorado Politics: The Big Picture
Colorado is no longer the swing state it once was, but Clark argues it is only “blue” because Republicans keep nominating weak, bomb-throwing candidates. If the GOP field became more competent and less MAGA-driven, he thinks the state could look more purple again.
He also notes that Colorado Democratic voters are increasingly dissatisfied with long-serving incumbents, even when they are broadly aligned with Democratic priorities. Across multiple races, the common thread is not ideology alone, but a desire for candidates who will actively confront Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Lauren Boebert: A Complicated, Evolving Figure
Clark says Boebert has changed since first arriving in Congress:
- She has learned how Congress works better than when she first arrived.
- She has shown a willingness to break with Trump on a few notable issues.
- He credits her for standing up on things like the Epstein files and a rural Colorado water project.
At the same time, Clark emphasizes Boebert’s contradictions:
- She still performs outrage and attention-seeking politics.
- She presents herself as defending the powerless, but her alliances complicate that image.
- Her posture toward Trump remains largely deferential, even when she occasionally draws a line.
Clark’s broader point is that Boebert is no longer just a novelty act; she has become more institutionally savvy, even if she remains one of Colorado’s most polarizing figures.
The Colorado Governor’s Race: Bennett vs. Weiser
A major portion of the episode centers on the Democratic primary for governor between Sen. Michael Bennett and Attorney General Phil Weiser.
Why voters are split
Focus group participants largely like both men, but:
- Bennett is seen as competent, experienced, and somewhat stale.
- Weiser is seen as more aggressive, more active, and more willing to fight Trump.
The clearest divide is generational and stylistic:
- Bennett is associated with the old guard, insider politics, and a lack of visible combativeness.
- Weiser is associated with litigation, action, and anti-Trump energy.
Clark’s read
Clark argues that the race is less about ideology than about temperament:
- Bennett tries to frame his case as “fight Trump and also handle affordability.”
- Weiser’s brand is basically: “I’ve already been fighting Trump in court.”
Clark’s memorable phrase for Bennett: “the cicada of confrontation” — dormant for long stretches, then suddenly explosive in a rare public clash.
He also notes that Bennett’s potential move to the governor’s office raises a practical concern: who would replace him in the Senate, and would that replacement be someone Democrats actually want?
John Hickenlooper and the Anti-Incumbent Mood
The episode also covers the Senate primary challenge to John Hickenlooper from Julie Gonzalez.
What voters are saying
Many Democrats in the focus groups:
- Like Hickenlooper personally.
- Respect his history.
- Think he is too old or too established to keep serving.
- Want younger leadership and more urgency.
Some voters said they don’t know much about Gonzalez, but still like the idea of fresh energy and a different style of politics.
Clark’s take
Clark sees Hickenlooper as a familiar Colorado archetype:
- quirky,
- pragmatic,
- middle-aged-to-older white male,
- moderate enough to appeal broadly.
But he says the state’s Democratic voters are increasingly looking for something more energetic and combative, even if the challenger is not fully defined yet.
Diana DeGette’s Primary Challenge
The discussion of Rep. Diana DeGette mirrors the other races: long tenure, safe district, and a growing sense that voters want change.
The criticism
Focus group voters described her as:
- having been in office too long,
- not producing enough visible accomplishments,
- too cautious in a safe seat.
The challenge
Clark says her primary opponent, Malak/Melat Kiros (the transcript varies), benefits from the anti-incumbent mood and from being perceived as more aligned with progressive energy.
He also mentions a third candidate, Wanda James, whose campaign has not gained traction but could still siphon anti-incumbent votes.
Jared Polis: A Former Favorite Who Has Lost Goodwill
The episode closes with Governor Jared Polis, who Clark says has clearly worn out his welcome with many Colorado Democrats.
What upset voters
Focus group participants were especially angry about:
- Polis commuting Tina Peters’ sentence.
- His willingness to engage with RFK Jr.
- A sense that he has become distant, rude, or overly self-assured.
- His apparent habit of vetoing or slowing progressive priorities.
Clark’s interpretation
Clark rejects the idea that Polis has “suddenly changed” ideologically. Instead, he thinks:
- Polis has always been a libertarian-ish, highly independent Democrat.
- The party and electorate have shifted left around him.
- His personal wealth and outsider status helped him climb politically, but now there is less goodwill left to sustain him.
In Clark’s view, Polis’s governing style may simply have reached its limits with Colorado Democrats.
Journalism, Lying, and Why Character Still Matters
One of the strongest meta-themes of the episode is Clark’s argument that journalists should not normalize habitual lying.
His core point
Clark says reporters often make a mistake when they:
- treat a serial liar the same as a mostly truthful politician,
- pivot too quickly to policy,
- excuse dishonesty as “just their brand.”
He argues that if a politician is willing to lie about personal matters, that should raise real questions about how they would govern.
Why it matters
Clark thinks voters still care about:
- honesty,
- decency,
- whether a politician has moral boundaries,
- whether a candidate is simply too comfortable with falsehoods.
He acknowledges that voters do not demand perfection, but he rejects the idea that character no longer matters.
Main Takeaways
- Colorado Democrats are restless with incumbents, even when they are broadly effective or ideologically aligned.
- “Fight Trump” has become a dominant primary issue, often more important than policy nuance.
- Phil Weiser is benefiting from activist energy, while Michael Bennett and John Hickenlooper are hurt by perceptions of age and institutional tiredness.
- Lauren Boebert remains polarizing but increasingly institution-savvy, with some real examples of independence from Trump.
- Jared Polis has lost a lot of trust among Democrats, especially over Tina Peters and his perceived detachment.
- Colorado’s political identity is still shaped by its unusual mix of pragmatic liberalism, anti-incumbent sentiment, and a strong appetite for combative politics.
Notable Framing From Kyle Clark
On Boebert
Clark argues that Boebert is no longer just an outsider stunt politician; she has learned how to operate inside the institution and occasionally defy Trump.
On habitual liars
He criticizes journalists for giving dishonest politicians a “bulk discount” and then pretending policy talk can substitute for accountability.
On Democratic voters
His central insight is that many Democrats are not asking for a radical ideological break — they are asking for someone who looks willing to fight.