Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper introduced himself to most of America last night at a CNN town hall event hosted by Dana Bash. Like the other Democratic candidates running for President, he addressed climate change, health care, gun violence and the rise of white nationalism in the United States.
When asked about putting a woman on the ticket, he responded “Of course,” and then flipped it around to a surprising take, saying “How come we’re not asking, more often, the women, ‘Would you be willing to put a man on the ticket?’”
Asked by Dana Bash if he would vow to put a woman on his presidential ticket, John Hickenlooper replied, “Of course,” and then said, “How come we’re not asking, more often, the women, ‘Would you be willing to put a man on the ticket?’” #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/AC7hWtyZ7D
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019
Hickenlooper talked about reaching across the aisle to worth with Republicans and said we have a national crisis of division.
John Hickenlooper on working across the aisle as president: "The reason that I’m running for president is because I think this country is in a national crisis of division. … We have to transform that. … We have to be a country of multiplication." #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/EH2TiUgGrn
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019
He’s also looking forward to whatever nickname President Trump decides to give him during the debates.
“I can’t wait for Donald Trump to come up with nicknames for me.”
John Hickenlooper hints at his strategy for dealing with President Trump, saying “most bullies are insecure and narcissistic. What they hate worse than anything is being laughed at.” #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/PJhmxFlr7U— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019
Hickenlooper told the audience he is against the death penalty because “it makes no sense.”
“I’m against it,” John Hickenlooper says about the death penalty. “It makes no sense. It’s not a deterrent. It’s expensive. It prolongs misery. And the worst thing is it is random.” #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/a958igZ0Uh
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019
And when asked about a thirty-year old drunk driving arrest, said he was ashamed.
John Hickenlooper on being arrested 30 years ago for drinking and driving: “I’ve never been more ashamed.”
He went on to say that his restaurant became the first in Colorado to give non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers for free. #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/Za6KqvOwLs
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019
And even though marijuana is legal in the state of Colorado, Hickenlooper says he would not ask the federal government to legalize it.
John Hickenlooper on the legalization of marijuana: “I would not ask the federal government to legalize it for everyone but I think where states do legalize marijuana, with the voters or through the general assembly, the federal government should get out of the way.” #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/DM1yFIXria
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2019