State of play: Polis' name is frequently mentioned as a White House contender, alongside the governors of California, Michigan and Pennsylvania — all states with much greater political importance.
In recent months, he has voiced opinions on major national issues and didn't shy away from criticizing Biden's debate performance as "not a good night" for Democrats.
He also talks optimistically about the future, providing a stark contrast in vision to former President Trump's focus on the past.
What they're saying: "Like anybody getting attention, it's attractive and interesting," Rick Ridder, a longtime Polis consultant, tells Axios Denver.
Yes, but: Polis is adamant that he's happy in his current job and not looking for a new one , Ridder added. He's also publicly standing by the president and virtually attended a meeting this week with Biden and Democratic governors to talk about the party's 2024 prospects.
What he's saying: Polis declined to comment for this story.
The other side: Colorado's governor is not a dyed-blue Democrat. His conservative bent on fiscal issues — he wants to abolish income tax — angers members of his own party in Colorado. And his recent vetoes drew a protest from the state's organized labor groups, which typically align with Democrats.
Moreover, he wouldn't enter a presidential race with national name recognition or a built-in constituency backing him. Polis is the first openly gay man to hold the governor's office in the U.S., but it's not a point he likes to accentuate.
Reality check: All White House contenders stand in line behind Vice President Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee if Biden steps aside. And it would take a concerted effort to get Polis off the sidelines.
Polis is savvy and only would enter the fray if he knew he had a path to win.
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