Buescher warns House Dems to remember Dems from conservative areas

DENVER--Outgoing state Rep. Bernie Buescher - the heir apparent Speaker of the House until his surprise loss on Tuesday -- had words of caution for the House Democratic Caucus on Thursday morning.

"As you use the power of this majority, remember that there are members who are in more vulnerable state," Buescher said.

While Democrats shouldn't compromise their principles, he said, "We've tried to grow this majority in rural Colorado where the ethics and the beliefs are more conservative."

Keep in mind, he said, that "some of the things we do make it more difficult for us to come back."

Buescher lost Tuesday to Republican Laura Bradford.

"I had a very odd election," Buescher said. "I'm not going to go into the details of that, but I have a little place special right now for Focus on the Family."

The conservative group had sent out mailers saying Buescher was a pawn in a political plot to take over the state.