Candidates in CD-6 "Debate"

by: Colorado Pols

Thu May 22, 2008 at 10:41:39 AM MDT

Businessman Wil Armstrong, Secretary of State Mike Coffman, state Sen. Ted Harvey and state Sen. Steve Ward agreed on not raising taxes, not making a hasty exit from Iraq and not using government subsidies for corn-based ethanol. And they voiced their admiration for Tom Tancredo, the congressman they hope to succeed.

But during the second half of the taping - not for the TV show but for the Web site of Caldara's Independence Institute - one major split occurred during a discussion on energy policy...

..."We are currently subsidizing a failed national energy policy," Ward said. "I disagree. This is something the government can work to solve."

Harvey said what sets him apart is his background in environmental public policy, an area that would make him the best choice to counter what he described as "radical environmentalists."

Armstrong, chief executive officer of a software development and consulting firm, tried to distinguish himself from the others by casting himself as the only candidate who was not a "career politician."

That drew rebuttals from all three of his opponents, citing their experience as businessmen. Coffman and Ward also cited their experience as Marines who served in Iraq.

The two said their military service had helped shape their views on what ought to be done in Iraq.

It's interesting that none of the candidates tried very hard to separate themselves from the other. In a race in which Secretary of State Mike Coffman is the favorite, you'd think the other three candidates - particularly Ward and Harvey - would be trying harder to highlight their differences. Because if all four candidates share the same views, Coffman's name ID and money mean that he is getting elected easily.