Penry as "diplomat"

by: Adam Schrager

Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 13:16:31 PM MST

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Josh Penry has spent the week since he withdrew from the race, brokering conversations between his supporters and his main rival for the party nomination, Scott McInnis. Within the last few days, Penry has attended two meetings with McInnis and potential challenger Tom Tancredo as well as a meeting with Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams.

"I'm using the good will I accrued by dropping out of the race to be a diplomat," Penry told 9NEWS today by telephone. "Every one of these conversations has been positive and leaves me with the impression we have more in common than we don't."

Tancredo, the former congressman from Colorado's 6th District and presidential candidate, had supported Penry. He has publicly worried that his former colleague in Congress, McInnis, was too "moderate" and is mulling whether he would enter the GOP primary. Evergreen businessman Dan Maes is also running in the primary.

"I'm not going to tell Tom what he should or shouldn't do," said Penry. "I did suggest that we should engage Scott on his agenda and told Tom if he feels confortable in that agenda, we can avoid the cost of a primary."

"It is important to know that, at least for me, the purpose of running for office is NOT the simple acquisition of that office," Tancredo wrote. "It is instead to advance a conservative agenda. If it takes raising and spending 3 million dollars in a primary to do it - so be it.  If, on the other hand, the goal can be accomplished in less expensive or less grueling ways, count me in. I have been surprised and heartened by the commonality of purpose I have observed to date. We shall see."

The three men met in person last Wednesday and spoke again by phone last night. The McInnis campaign confirmed the meetings with Tancredo, Wadhams and a host of state lawmakers who previously supported Penry and said the candidate would continue to reach out to Republicans throughout Colorado.

"Scott sees an extraordinary opportunity now to unite Republicans behind his campaign and show them what he wants to do as governor," said Sean Duffy, McInnis's communications director. "It's our job to convince them, not their job to convince us.

"They've been asking (Scott) how will you govern? Scott comes to this with very specific ideas of what he wants to do as governor. This whole campaign is about introducing Scott to voters and explaining what he'll do as governor. That's what he's doing every day. It's important for people to listen to Scott but also that he listens to them."

McInnis and Wadhams had a public spat over an event the state party was holding in Keystone earlier this year. Wadhams expected McInnis to participate and when he declined to do so, it led to an exchange in the media that Wadhams called "unpleasant." The two men, who have known each other for years, were brought together by Penry for a meeting last week.

"I had a good meeting with Scott," Wadhams said. "If he becomes our nominee, it's imperative he has good relations with the state party.

"We still have an open nominating process, but I do think Scott McInnis has the opportunity to consolidate a great deal of support around his candidacy. There is a window of opportunity for Scott if he takes advantage of it."

Penry told 9NEWS last week that he dropped out because the $3 million he figured he'd need to raise to beat McInnis could be better spent on Colorado state House and Senate candidates. He said his efforts since his decision are somewhat selfish.

"I don't have the time or patience for old fights and personality problems," he said. "I want to help Republicans create a message that will not just help us to win, but to govern effectively. That's a message that will appeal to independents too who are frustrated and frankly disgusted with both political parties."

McInnis's spokesman says the campaign is extremely grateful to Penry for helping facilitate these conversations.

"Nobody has more credibility than a former candidate," said Duffy. "Josh has been terrific working for the best interests of the party. He's been putting action behind his words."