This page is an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College

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Colorado 2004---Mike Miles for Senate?

Special thanks to Mike Miles 4 Senate

One of the initial yet most common qualities to have as a potential candidate is political ambition. While ambition ultimately drives potential candidates to run, it is not an indicator for evaluating the quality of a good candidate (Kazee 1994). In fact, a high quality candidate has been defined as “one who has the skill and resources necessary to run for office (Maisel 2001, 15).”

In the 2004 Colorado Senate race, Democrat Mike Miles has demonstrated considerable ambition and personal qualities that suggests he may be an exceptional senator if elected. But he lacks several key strategic qualities which act as barriers for him to be elected. Most notably are political experience, funding, and party support which will ultimately determine the outcome of the election. With this website, we will evaluate the candidacy qualities of Mike Miles.

Strategic Qualities

Miles has never been elected to a public office. Although he does possess a stellar career and diverse career background as an Army Officer and Ranger, diplomat/foreign service officer in Russia and Poland, superintendent/teacher of Fountain Middle School and custodian (Couch-Long shot 2004, 3).

While he has been running for office for over two and a half years, he has raised minimal funding in comparison to his opponents (Couch-Coors 2004, 2). Furthermore, Miles does not have a personal fortune to contribute towards his campaign either (Couch 2004-Long, 2). See table below

Candidate	Ken Salazar	Mike Miles	Pete Coors	Bob Schaffer
Total Funding Raised	$2 million	$85,000	$1.6 million	$488,000
Cash on Hand	$1.6 million	$60,000	$760,000	$130,000

(Tankersley-Coors 2004, 2-3)

Today more than ever campaigns depend on large amounts of money which can often determine if a candidate is elected or not (Maisel 2001, 15). Without money and litle name recognition how can Miles’ message be heard or seen? How could he reach the people? And how would people ever know he is even running for office?

Despite the fact that he received more delegate votes at the Democratic Convention than Attorney General Ken Salazaar in May (Couch 2004), Miles lost considerably in the Democratic Primary only receiving 27 % of the vote while Salazaar received a handsome 73% (“2004 Senate Tip” 2). Moreover, he is dividing the party vote with such liberal proposal as universal healthcare (Tankersley-A Poet 2004, 5).

Personal Qualities:

Eventhough Miles has been criticized for switching careers so frequently, he has responded by stating: “I’ve never left the public service track (Tankersley-A Poet 2004, 5).”

See Davidson College Pledge

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© Davidson College, 2004, Department of Political Science, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to Jacquin Gilchrist (Jagilchrist@davidson.edu)
Created: 9/22/2004. Last updated: 9/22/2004.

Political Science 318 - Strategy
and Ethics in Election Campaigns