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Article snippet: Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper says Ralph Northam’s victory in Virginia’s gubernatorial race is a win for pragmatism — and a model for Democrats moving forward. Hickenlooper, a former Denver mayor who has seen his political stock rise as Colorado has shifted into a purple state, believes Democrats can build a winning streak by focusing on multiple issues that will help middle class families. In an interview with The Hill, he talked of his preference for more incremental policy changes on education and health care that can improve people’s lives over more sweeping promises to deliver Medicare for all or free tuition. Within a four-minute span, Hickenlooper mentioned a permutation of the word “pragmatic” a half dozen times. “I look at what we're going to see in Colorado as a result of the victory of Ralph Northam,” Hickenlooper said, “that it opens up the whole Democratic party to different ideas and more pragmatic ideas, I think, rather than just trying to have one issue that you’re going — or maybe two or three issues — that you’re going to raise up and hold as holy standards.” Northam — who had the same campaign manager as Hickenlooper — defeated former Rep. Tom Perriello in the Democratic primary before triumphing over Republican Ed Gillespie. Perriello was backed by Sen. MORE (I-Vt.), who continues to be a force in Democratic politics. Some liberals were turned off by Northam, who voted for former President George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 elections and ... Link to the full article to read more