Telling the tale of a "principled politician"

Former Colorado Gov. Ralph Carr, at left, poses in 1941 with an unidentified man. (Historical collection)

Six years ago, 9News political reporter Adam Schrager came across what he calls "a hero's story."

It was the story of former Colorado Gov. Ralph Carr who, shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, went against a flood of public sentiment and opposed efforts to send Japanese-Americans to internment camps.

The story of a governor - whose name was being bandied about as a possible presidential candidate or vice president - who sacrificed his political career to stand on principle was so rich, so ripe for telling, that Schrager said he couldn't understand why it hadn't been shared before.

Now, it has.

In his new book, "The Principled Politician: The Ralph Carr Story" (Fulcrum Publishing), Schrager explores in great detail the life of the former Republican governor before and after that crucial moment in history.

Schrager was joined this morning by Gov. Bill Ritter for a discussion of the new book.

University of Colorado at Denver History professor Tom Noel, in introducing Schrager, called the work: "A book with a lesson for all times, especially times like our own, when there are people clamoring to build walls rather than open doors."

Gov. Ritter said he read an early draft of the book, and re-read it again over the weekend.

As a chief executive, Gov. Ritter said, you can seek counsel, but the final decision rests with you. "Many decisions are ultimately your decision, and that's a lonely place to be. That's the first impression I had in putting myself in Gov. Carr's shoes."

Ritter noted that public sentiment was not with Carr, but that he obeyed his "ethical core."

Schrager chimed in: "Ralph Carr felt that his job was to direct public opinion, not follow it"

Ritter wondered aloud "how many actors are there who are willing to forgo some political gratification to do the right thing, I think most people would say too few. You hope to be one of those people."

Schrager said he was drawn to write the book because, "when pushback to Carr's decision started coming in, Carr became more resolute instead of backing down.

"He knew what political price he would pay, but he still chose to do the right thing," he said.

Schrager said the book "is a story in a political setting, but this isn't a political story." Instead, he said, it is "a hero's story of someone who stood up."

The event was sponsored by the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Rocky Mountain News.

Bookmark/Search this post with: