March 04, 2008 12:06 AM UTC

Harvey Pulls Out Crystal Ball

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• by: Colorado Pols

Republican Sen. Ted Harvey, one of several elephants running for congress in CD-6, has a prediction to make: Secretary of State Mike Coffman – GASP! – won’t go to the caucus!!!

Harvey’s campaign sent out a silly press release last Friday (click below for the full release) predicting that Coffman would bypass the caucus process:

Today, State Senator Ted Harvey’s campaign for Congress predicted that fellow 6th Congressional District candidate, Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman, will soon announce that he will bypass the Republican Party’s grassroots-based caucus nominating process and opt to gather petition signatures to place him on the Primary Election ballot.

“I hope Mike will join me to directly engage our grassroots Republican activists but it’s clear he lacks the base support I have and feels he can’t afford to lose this first contest for our party’s nomination,” said Harvey.

Harvey is obviously trying hard to set himself up as the establishment Republican Party candidate, even though he didn’t raise squat during the Q4 fundraising period ($35,000 compared to more than $200,000 each for Coffman and Wil Armstrong). This release would make a lot more sense AFTER the caucus rather than issuing a goofy statement predicting something to happen.

Harvey: Secretary of State Mike Coffman Set to Announce He’ll Bypass GOP Caucus Process to Petition on CD6 Ballot

Lacks Grassroots Support but Expected to Claim Otherwise

Highlands Ranch, CO:  Today, State Senator Ted Harvey’s campaign for Congress predicted that fellow 6th Congressional District candidate, Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman, will soon announce that he will bypass the Republican Party’s grassroots-based caucus nominating process and opt to gather petition signatures to place him on the Primary Election ballot.

“I hope Mike will join me to directly engage our grassroots Republican activists but it’s clear he lacks the base support I have and feels he can’t afford to lose this first contest for our party’s nomination,” said Harvey.

With Colorado’s caucus season already well underway, so far Senator Harvey is the only candidate for the 6th Congressional District who has committed to go through the Republican Party’s arduous nominating process.

While canvassing prospective 6th CD Delegates and Alternates, the Ted Harvey for Congress campaign has found that the main reason stated for Senator Harvey’s leading level of support is his consistent conservative leadership in the Colorado Legislature.

“My entire legislative service has been about advancing conservative Republican values — the same conservative values that motivate these wonderful grassroots leaders to volunteer their spare time and serve at this base level of our democratic process,” stated Harvey.

The main reasons stated for Mike Coffman’s lack of support among these GOP activists are the growing controversies surrounding his office, opposition from Colorado Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams, and abandonment of the Secretary of State’s office to Democratic Governor Bill Ritter who would appoint Coffman’s successor should he win the 6th CD race.

Based on recent assertions from the Coffman campaign, they are likely to claim that Coffman enjoys popular support among 6th CD Delegates and Alternates but that he will none-the-less petition on the ballot as a calculated strategy to benefit his odds.

“Even if I must stand alone I will continue to lead the conservative Republican movement among this outstanding and dedicated corps of grassroots activist,” concluded Harvey.