Does John Hickenlooper Have a Secret Weapon?

[brooklynite]

Frank Bruni

John Hickenlooper’s boots weren’t made for hiking.

Were they even boots? We couldn’t decide. They occupied some limbo between boots and shoes and were all wrong for the trek that our group of six was taking: seven hours, about 10 miles, over a 12,500-foot-high pass in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Just a few hours in, he briefly took them off. Dear God. Blisters, blood: Just looking at his feet hurt. But he waved away our concerns, did some crude bandaging, switched into a pair of ordinary sneakers that he happened to have in his backpack and insisted that we press on. He walked more slowly, sure. But he smiled to the end.

That episode, from August 2015, captured Hickenlooper at his best: upbeat, affable and allergic to drama. For November 2020, could that kind of disposition be the ticket?

[hlthe2b]

1. Likeably affable, great, but that is not an anecdote that most Coloradoans will take to.

At least not among those of us who actually engage in outdoor activities and take pride in being responsible and prepared-- while likewise smiling through grimaces as we offer aid and rescue to the countless "tourists" who do not and predictably get into trouble.

Hickenlooper knows better than that.

[greymattermom]

2. So he went out on a serious hike

wearing boots that didn't fit correctly or weren't broken in? All the folks I know in Colorado know better than that. I visit Colorado a couple of times a year, and I bring my gear, hiking shoes, thick socks, water bottle, and I'm an old lady out on the easy trails.

[Sherman A1]

3. Cute story

Tells absolutely zero about the candidate and why he is a reasonable choice for president. It does tell me he doesn’t know how to pick out hiking boots.

[Maru Kitteh]

4. So a guy from Colorado who didn't have the knowledge/judgement to research proper shoes

anecdote is supposed to encourage me?

Sorry, this is a strike against. Not a strike for, imo.

I have nothing against the guy at all, but this is a poor story to put forth in my opinion. I'm from Montana, and it seems you would have to be pretty sheltered to make that kind of error, and that's being kind, because the other option is just being a complete dumbass.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. I don't see how this helps his image. I prefer someone who knows how to plan ahead...

... and dress properly.