The Democratic popular Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper won the Colorado governor's race last night. What makes this noteworthy is that he defeated the overtly racist candidate Tom Tancredo. Sarah Palin interjected herself into this race, after being warned off by the GOP establishment that supported Dan Maes, the winner of the Republican primary, and a truth challenged individual who was caught in so many lies.

Why Sarah Palin suuported Tancredo, who is known for his extremism, is baffling to some. But Ms. Palin own connections to the Tea Party Express, with it own extremist connections maybe the explanation or an explanation.

Two other high profile Palin back candidates came up short yesterday. Tea Partiers Joe Miller and Christine O'Donnell. Joe Miller is trailing the write in candidate in the Alaska race, and Christine O'Donnell was wiped out by the Democratic candidate in the Delaware race. Palin's picks and Tea Party picks in lesser nationally known races did win.

Back to Mr Hickenlooper. He strikes me as a possible rising Democratic star.