by the Denver Post editorial board

Dr. Antonio Salazar, longtime ruler of Portugal, once observed: "No one can govern in the name of doubt."

Gov. Bill Ritter needs to ponder that advice as he nears the end of his second legislative session. Unless he becomes a more forceful advocate on vital issues, he risks being saddled with the motto: "No one can govern in the name of further study."

Or worse, he risks becoming known as our do-nothing governor.

For a chief executive who entered the governor's office with no previous experience in state office, Ritter started out fairly strong, turning in a vigorous performance in his 2007 legislative debut. But, as one veteran Democratic lawmaker observed, he seems to have "run out of steam" this year.

His State of the State speech in January left us uninspired but hoping that his public reticence on important issues such as transportation was meant to mask some sort of backstage negotiations with business and community leaders that would later produce a major new initiative.

Alas, nothing.... 

Read the full editorial:  http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_8855922