Regional
(2010-07-29)
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DENVER, CO
(KUNC) -
The Colorado governor's race has been nothing if not a wild ride in recent weeks, especially since former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo announced he's entering the race as a third party candidate. Tancredo had called for the two embattled Republican candidates in the primary to step down. Tancredo is seen as a spoiler candidate by many state Republicans. And his entry into the race took center stage Thursday during a debate between Republicans Scott McInnis and Dan Maes at the studios of Colorado Public Television.
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The first question out of the gate was a bit awkward, given both the Scott McInnis and Dan Maes scandals over plagiarism and campaign finance issues respectively in recent weeks.
Did they question each other's integrity?
"This is about leading our state, and if we blink because someone gives us a hard time, we're going to be pretty weak leaders of this state," said Dan Maes, the Evergreen businessman who's won support from Tea Party activists.
Maes says he supports his opponent's decision to stay in the race, despite the plagiarism scandal, but he went on to mention that it has given his campaign a boost.
As for McInnis?
"I don't question Dan's integrity, I think the voters make their decision," McInnis said.
Pressed further, McInnis reiterated statements he's been making publicly lately, saying the voters, not the state Republican Party should decide whether he stays in the race.
Right now, given the Tancredo news, it's not clear who the Republicans would even replace him with, if he wins the primary and goes on to face Democrat John Hickenlooper.
"I'm not a quitter, they're looking at the wrong guy," McInnis said. "I am determined, I care about where this state goes, I care about those people that need jobs, I care about those people that are going to lose jobs."
As for Maes, he had this to say about speculation that should he win, Republican activists might pressure him to drop out in favor of another, perceived, stronger candidate.
"I can't imagine that ever happening, somebody actually coming to me, but if they had the audacity to, I would say, no way am I getting out of this race."
The two Republicans were also asked if they're worried about the Colorado Republican Party's perceived state of disarray over the governor's race and the party chairman's public disputes with Tom Tancredo, among other things. Many activists have expressed concern over the party's chances of beating John Hickenlooper this fall.
But perhaps a bit predictably, both Maes and Scott McInnis said they're not worried. McInnis spoke directly to Tom Tancredo's third party ticket.
"This is our year, and this is why people like my opponent and I spend this many months, working on behalf of the people of this state to bring our vision. And it's unfortunate that the vision wasn't shared and he's decided to go another route. But that's Tom, so, we'll get around that," McInnis said.
Dan Maes noted that Tancredo has been dabbling with a run, then not, then dabbling again for some time.
"And I'm holding out that he may still throw some good discretion and not do this ultimately."
Something that's looking less and less likely, considering Tancredo staged a well attended press conference in Lakewood Thursday meant to formally launch his campaign for Colorado governor on the American Constitution Party ticket.
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