LONE TREE - Colorado lured two of the nation's biggest political guns to the state this weekend as local Democrats and Republicans today elect new officers.

Master GOP strategist Karl Rove, who was born in Denver, rallied nearly 800 Republicans Friday night at a "Let's Paint the State Red" dinner at the Denver Marriott South.

"So, what do we do?" Rove said to the audience, acknowledging last November's losses to Democrats in Congress. "I think it's pretty simple. We pick ourselves up off the mat, we stand on principle and we can get back in the fight."

Republicans applauded in approval. "And the reason is because over the long haul the American people agree with our philosophy, our vision and our principles more than they do the other party," Rove said.

President Bush's close adviser touted his chief's economic record despite the setbacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the war on terror, spikes in oil prices and corporate scandals.

And Rove didn't hold back his accolades for Bush's 2003 tax cuts.

"And yet look at our economy today. It's doing pretty well," Rove said to more applause. "And why? Because this president with a Republican Congress had the courage to cut taxes at just the right time."

A new goal for the GOP, Rove said, will be to balance the federal budget by 2012.

"And we can do it because the economy is growing, and the revenues are coming in," he said.

The rallying cry for Republicans aiming for a balanced budget in five years is to make the tax cuts permanent, Rove said.

On the war, Rove said Democrats try to have it both ways.

"How can you say you support the troops and yet you want to deny the funds necessary to do the job and protect them in battle?" Rove said.

The Colorado Republican Party today is expected to elect homegrown political strategist Dick Wadhams - who has been referred to as Rove's heir - as the state party's new chairman for the next two years.

Not surprisingly, Rove did a little last-minute campaigning for his friend. "I'd sure like to see him there," Rove said.

On the other side of the aisle, Nancy Pelosi, first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will address Democrats tonight at their annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the Adams Mark Hotel in Denver.

"We're clearly the center of the universe," joked political consultant Katy Atkinson.

"There is a political battle for the Rocky Mountain West, and regardless of which side wins, that battle is good for us," she said. "If the nationals pay attention to us, maybe that means they'll pay attention to our unique issues, like water and public land."

Democrats today are expected to re-elect Pat Waak state party chairwoman. The party, which scored impressive victories in the past two elections, selected the theme "It's a New Day. See How Democrats Govern."

"We are here to stay," Waak said.

The party sold 750 tickets to tonight's dinner before anyone knew Pelosi would be the speaker, Waak said. They have a waiting list of hundreds of Democrats who wanted to attend.

House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, who helped recruit Wadhams to run the state Republican Party, says his brand of leadership is about hope.

"Politics is about hope, and we did kind of get our butts kicked in the last elections," May said. "Dick brings hope to our party that we can win again, and he strikes fear in the heart of Democrats."

Waak's not shaking in her heels.

"We're not afraid of Dick Wadhams," she said. "We're very focused on what we want to accomplish and the work we have in front of us."

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327

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