Denver – Roger Hutson was never a great admirer of Donald Trump.
In 2016, he supported Marco Rubio for President, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for his Republican primary offer.
In 2024, Hutson worked with “No labels”, a group of Democrats, Republicans and independent, to forge a bipartisan ticket with the express purpose of preventing Trump or Joe Biden from winning the White House.
Is this “really the best we can do in a country of 330 million people”? Hutson asked in an opinion article by Denver Post after the effort collapsed and another confrontation of triumph seemed inevitable. The failure, he suggested, was “a sad comment on the state of leadership in the United States.”
But something unexpected happened in the last six months. Trump won Hutson.
He has not gone to a full -fledged magician. “No, no, no!” He insisted, mocking the notion of driving down the street, Trump's flag greeting. And it is not about to get on the political car of JD Vance, the most likely vehicle to extend Trumpism in 2028 and beyond.
“I am recognizing the man's achievements in the office,” said Hutson, with emphasis on the current occupant of the White House, whom he supported on Kamala Harris. “I am very impressed.”
Views of the 47th President, from scratch
It is not, as could be assumed, because Denver's oil and gas executive is in love with Trump's exhortations to “drill, baby, drill! (” No, baby, no! “It's more similar, as Hutson believes that excess supply would generate prices).
Rather, Hutson gives Trump credit to achieve a good part of what he promised during the 2024 campaign.
Ensuring the borders of the United States. Forcing allies to cough more for defense. Bring Iran's nuclear program to the heel. Assuming the country's unfair business partners.
He still doesn't care about Trump's abrasive personality, insults and denigration of people.
But Hutson's conversion shows that in a country deeply excavated in opposition fields, where political views seem to harden the cement in place, there are still those open to persuasion and even willing to change their minds.
By confusion that seems.
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Hutson, 65, was a republican all his life, until he left the game at some time in the 2010. Or, more precisely, he felt that “the party left me.”
A growing stridency around abortion and same -sex marriage was particularly unpleasant for Hutson, who describes himself as a conservative in tax matters and a type of life and alive in social matters. “If you are lucky to find someone you love,” he said, “God bless you.”
Hutson has been active for a long time in civic and political matters, serving in several boards and commissions under Democrats and Republicans equally. He remembered to have attended a meeting a few years ago when the Republican leaders gathered to discuss the increasingly blue coloration of Colorado.
“If winning means nominating an African -American lesbian with antennas that come out of their heads,” Republicans should do so, Hutson suggested.
That was not fine.
But it conforms to Hutson's approach to politics.
An army brats grew, moving around the world until his father completed his military career and settled in Golden, Colorado, to take a job in a family wood. Despite all the impermanence, pack and relocate almost every two years, Hutson said that his education was in many ideal ways, shaping his perspective until today.
The army, he said, reflects the best of America: unity, shared purpose, teamwork. “I think he teaches you a lot of tolerance,” he said. “I think it teaches you a lot of acceptance.”
His pedigree of the Republican party came from his father, the Army Colonel. But it was not the burned land version of the Republican Party today, in which the Democrats and their philosophy are considered the root of all evil.
A long time ago, as leader of the Republican Men's Club of Jefferson County, Hutson invited the governor of Colorado, the Democrat Roy Romer, to speak.
“I was catching that people's hell.” How do you dare to invite a Democrat to talk to this group? “Hutson remembered being punished.” And I said: 'Well, he's our governor, right? I think it would be an honor. ' “
After a little initial bewilderment from the governor's office, is he sure? -Romer came and spoke, holding the type of conversation between cross parts that Hutson wants to happen more often among politicians in Worlds-Apart in Washington.
“I would love Trump to have a weekly meeting with [Democratic House leader] Hakeem Jeffries, ”Huts said while sitting at the top of the center of Denver, the decoration of his office: dark leather, resistant mountain landscape, an amber fluid exhibition, suggesting a theme of western cigarette bar.
“I would love Trump to sit weekly with [Chuck] Schumer “, the leader of the Democratic Senate, or will bring Schumer and the leader of the Republican Senate, John Thune, and say:” “How do we advance through this?” “
Could you imagine that, Hutson asked, before answering his own question?
No. It will never happen.
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Nothing, and no individual is perfect. But Hutson looks at the final result, and is willing to accept compensation.
Trump is noisy and rude. But he is respected on the world stage, Hutson said, in a way that the cheap Biden no.
Trump can be playing with rates, up, down, everywhere. But at least he is addressing the country's unilateral commercial relations, said Hutson, no president has done it before.
It can be out of the base asking for a drastic increase in domestic oil production. But in general, Hutson said, Trump's welcome message to business is: “What can we do to be more useful?”
It is unfortunate that the innocent are dragged into mass immigration raids. But maybe that would not have happened, Hutson said, if local officials had been more cooperative and criminal elements were not allowed to insinuate themselves so deeply in their communities first.
In addition, he said, is not Democrats and Republicans a safe border and a tougher application before thoroughly reviewing the incomplete immigration system of the nation?
“We need to bring the workers we need,” said Hutson. “I mean, if someone comes here to work and will be a significant part of society, God bless, man.”
It is not perfect. But, in general, a better and stronger presidential performance, Hutson suggested, than many with their blind hatred towards Trump can see, or are willing to recognize.
“I have to look at the results,” said Hutson, “and despite his attitude and caustic behavior, I think he has done a very, very good job.”
When Barack Obama was elected president, Hutson recalled, one of his Democratic friends, a black man, he said: “'Roger, you have a black president'. And I said: 'You know, Kevin, you are right.
“” We do not have to agree on everything, but for God's, he is the president of the United States and we respect that office. “”
Hutson paused. His eyes narrowed, disapproving. “We have lost that,” he said.
