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Maes stays in; Tancredo dismisses him, challenges Hick to Mano-a-Mano debates

by | 5:14 pm, September 3, 2010 | 5 Comments

In a press release sent out late this afternoon, American Constitution Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo took the unprecedented step of dismissing embattled Republican nominee Dan Maes as “no longer a viable opponent” and challenging Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to six one-on-one debates that would not include the Maes.

“Today the Secretary of State will certify the November ballot with Dan Maes  as the Republican candidate for Governor.  Five weeks ago I told Republicans that Mr. Maes was both professionally and personally unqualified to be their candidate.  I gave them several opportunities to get him out, even offering them my candidacy as an inducement.  The time for inter-party squabbling is over.  Now we must all move forward—for the sake of our state.  Beginning today I will focus all my time and energy on winning this election.   Since Dan Maes is no longer a viable opponent today, I am challenging Mayor Hickenlooper to six one-on-one debates.  My staff will gladly work with his as to the time, place, and format.  I look forward to a healthy and vigorous campaign with my Democrat opponent that is in the interest of the voters of Colorado.”

Dan Maes continues to reel from this week’s series of withdrawals of support and cries for Maes to drop-out of the race, which have come from a number of major Republican and Tea Party officials and groups, including GOP Senate candidate Ken Buck, U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, former CO Senate President John Andrews, former Congressman and gubernatorial candidate in his own right Bob Beauprez, “beer scion” Pete Coors, Hear Us Now!, and others.

These prominent un-endorsements and the fundraising effects they will have probably spell certain doom for Maes, as they will undoubtedly have a considerable impact on what limited ability the Evergreen businessman retains to beat back against John Hickenlooper in the face of third-party candidate Tom Tancredo and the continuing negative stories about Maes.

Roughly an hour before the 5pm filing deadline, Maes announced to his supporters via Facebook that he would not be pulling out of the race, despite the intense criticism and calls for resignation.

After speaking with, and hearing from, numerous Coloradans – from former Senators to family farmers – I’ve determined that I cannot turn my back on the 200,000 voters who nominated me to run for this office. This campaign found success through hard work, palm-pressing, and shoe leather, and that’s how I plan to engage voters over the next two months and claim victory on November 2nd.

Maes’s decision to remain in the race in the face of the staggering developments comes as a surprise to few, including this commentator.  I find it doubtful, though, that Hickenlooper and the various media outlets and debate-hosting organizations will go along with Tancredo’s one-on-one debate idea, ignoring the major Republican Party’s nominee altogether, especially when the latest polls (which have not taken into account this week’s developments) still had Maes ahead of Tancredo as of earlier this week.

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Comments

  1.   Mary
      September 3rd, 2010 @ 6:00 pm

    Just listened to Maes on Caplis and Silverman. According to Maes, there’s a reporter working on his Kansas personnel story who will have the true story in “1-2 weeks”. (Big scoop like that takes weeks to write). He doesn’t know the status of his 2009 tax returns, since his wife takes care of it (couldn’t even say whether they were filed or not since his wife takes care of them). I guess Karen decides what gets released (will she be in charge of what bills get signed or vetoed?) He said that it’s “time to move on” and to stop questioning him on the KS and Poundstone story. I seem to recall the “time to move on” line used by the Clintons. Said he’ll hit the trail “next week” (hard work like Obama). What a sorry, sorry guy.

  2.   robert southwell
      September 3rd, 2010 @ 10:53 pm

    “I find it doubtful, though, that Hickenlooper and the various media outlets and debate-hosting organizations will go along with Tancredo’s one-on-one debate idea”

    Agreed. Even if Maes had not so thoroughly choked his own chicken Hickenlooper has no incentive to debate Tancredo. When you’re a few dozen points ahead in the polls why share the penumbra of the presumptive gov-elect with an insignificant 3rd party pol?

  3.   Brian Wilson
      September 4th, 2010 @ 1:08 am

    Tancredo has become the establishment guy. The question is, will there be a backlash in favor of Maes? And will the Tea Party groups then stay with Maes, or go over to Tancredo?

  4.   Dumbfounded
      September 4th, 2010 @ 10:08 pm

    Going over to Tancredo will only attempt to even the the votes for Tancredo and Maes. If Tancredo is ignored and Maes (since he is leading quite significantly) should be promoted to see if he can get his numbers up to give it a shot to defeat Hickenlooper.

  5.   Olivia Strauss
      September 5th, 2010 @ 10:40 am

    Maes uses the fact that he won the primary as a reason to stay in the race. I voted for him only to cancel McInnis. I was totally disappointed in our lack of good choices and plan to vote for Tancredo. Yes, he is controversial… but we know where he stands and I feel more comfortable with him than with
    any of the GOP candidates.

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