The many names of "Big" Bill Ritter

Few Colorado politicians have attracted as many attempts to have monikers slapped on them as Bill Ritter has during his first term in office. We think of it as the natural culmination of Dick Wadham's successful use of the term "lawyer-lobbyist" here in Colorado. Since that time, other, lesser minds have scurried about thinking up too clever moniker's like "Both Ways" Bob and "Big Oil" Bob which while picturesque and alliterative, worked less forcefully than Wadham's name campaign.

Come to think of it, maybe it's just politicians that have names starting with the letter b that have this problem.

In today's Inside Edge, we explore the top ten names we've heard bandied about for "Big" Bill Ritter.

• 1. "Big Labor" Bill- This one is a result of Ritter's coziness with labor unions, from the executive order unionizing state workers, to carrying water for the teacher's union in Colorado.
• 2. "Jimmy Hoffa"- This too is an outgrowth of Ritter's Friday-night order unionizing state workers, but this one came from the Denver Post editorial page. Ouch.
• 3. "Backroom" Bill- This moniker was the work of Jessica Peck Corry who took Ritter to task for violating open meeting laws and for stiff arming business interests for unions.
• 4. "Pro-Life" Bill- OK, this one is said with a good helping of sarcasm because Ritter restored funding to Planned Parenthood.
• 5. "Big Oil" Bill- Another Peck Corry production, this one fits because Bill is psycho when it comes to oil. First he runs on taxing fossil energy, but prevents Colorado from actually, um, producing more of it?
• 6. "Do-nothing" Bill- A Wadham's contribution after a lackluster legislative session where Ritter's name didn't figure too prominently.
• 7. "Super Delegate" Bill- As one of the few undecided super delegates this is a moniker Ritter probably enjoys at least a little bit.
• 8. "Plea Bargain" Bill- Ritter handed out plea bargains to illegal immigrants and then made the mistake of going after the messenger.
• 9. "Part-Time Liberal" Bill- Ok, this is one we made up. But you have to admit, Ritter runs right, weaves left, and often ends up right down the middle.
• 10. "August" William Ritter- Who knew that Ritter's given first name was August? Raise your hand. Ok. Now go get a life.