That loud “D’Oh!” you hear is coming from Republican strategists all across Colorado.
According to a joint press release sent out by the gubernatorial campaigns of Democrat John Hickenlooper and Republican Dan Maes (full release after the jump), the two candidates have agreed to 9 more debates through Oct. 29. This is terrible news for Republicans in Colorado, because every time Maes opens his mouth there is a serious risk that he will say something completely absurd, and the lead story in the media will be “Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Maes Said _________ Today.”
Ordinarily, in a race like this with a clear leader heading into mid-September, the frontrunner would be doing everything possible to duck more debates. But this is not an ordinary race, and the more that Hickenlooper gets to contrast himself with Maes, the better off the results for all Democrats.
Most voters may not associate Maes with other Republican candidates in Colorado, but some will, and a debate schedule like this just increases the chances that Maes will damage the Republican “brand” for the General Election. The odds of this happening will only increase as Election Day nears and polls still show Maes to be far behind Hickenlooper; any “Hail Mary” passes that Maes feels like he has to toss are more than likely going to be wounded ducks instead, and a media corps already bored of the governor’s race will be more than happy to point that out.
MAES AND HICKENLOOPER COMMIT TO RUNNING ON THE ISSUES; ANNOUNCE DEBATE SCHEDULE
The Republican and Democratic nominees for governor pledged today in a joint press release to run campaigns specific to the issues, and they agreed to a fall debate schedule.
Dan Maes and John Hickenlooper agreed to 10 debates, including the Colorado Decides 2010 “Gubernatorial General Election Debate” that aired last week.
“Coloradans are sick and tired of the personal attacks that tend to typify election season,” Maes said. “John and I will engage each other on the issues on these 10 occasions and at numerous other forums and smaller events to let Colorado voters decide whose vision for the state they prefer.”
Hickenlooper said he appreciated the commitment to a substantive campaign from Maes.
“Dan and I have had healthy disagreements on various issues throughout the campaign so far, but I respect the way he has campaigned with class and respect,” Hickenlooper said. “I’m confident our joint commitment to discuss the issues facing our state will mean the rest of the country takes note of Colorado as a place that does things the right way.”
In addition to the agreed upon debates, both campaigns will participate in numerous forums on a range of issues before Election Day.
The debate schedule is based on invitations the campaigns received and joint availability of the candidates. Any decision on inviting third-party candidates is up to the individual event sponsors.
The Maes and Hickenlooper campaigns have formally agreed to the following debates:
Sept. 2: Colorado Decides 2010 “Gubernatorial General Election Debate;” Denver
Sept. 11: Club 20; Grand Junction
Sept. 17: Progressive 15; Loveland
Sept. 25: Action 22; Colorado Springs
Oct. 5: Channel 7; Denver
Oct. 12 Pueblo Chieftain; Pueblo
Oct. 13: The Denver Post/ 9news; Denver
Oct. 14 Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry; Denver
Oct. 22 Fox 31; Denver
Oct. 29 CBS 4; Denver
1) What compelled Hick to even agree to debate Dan? The Republican party doesn’t take their nominee seriously, so why on earth would the Democratic nominee (and frontrunner) want to lend any credibility to the Republican candidate for Governor? Obviously Hick won’t do anything disastrous and Maes probably will, but this many debates does give Maes an opportunity to score a few points against Hick.
My second question is, why didn’t they invite Tom Tancredo?
Ordinarily a candidate like Hickenlooper with a large lead wouldn’t want to give his opponent any free press. But Maes is far more likely to screw up those opportunities than he is to capitalize on them, and Hick will look like Abraham Lincoln in comparison.
Dan Maes obviously loves the limelight. Let’s hope he gets asked some tough, honest questions.
That Hick is agreeing to this fraud says a lot about him.
Anyway, Maes is going get his revenge on the GOP, which can take it and will respond appropriately, I’m assuming.
This will make Tancredo look so smart, competent and honest.
now you’re gonna tell us Hick is lying but it’s up to us to use the Google fo find out ourselves.
ColPols, where’s is the fuckin’ ignore button for this geezer?
is almost as bush league as your signature line.
lil’ johnson is a bona-fide member of the Peoples Press Collective and something like a Basement Bloggers League of America (or some damn wannabe RW shill cooperative)
Said so right on his website as of last night but now he’s scrubbed that clean.
Johnson is in cahoots w/ all the other RW zanies creeping out from under the baseboards.
It’s free media. More campaign money he can siphon off for house payments.
Meantime, Jack Burden is right. Why would Hickenlooper allow Maes to look like an equal?
Maybe the Hick camp thinks that the only threat is Tancredo? This effectively marginalizes him.
But what the hell do I know?
It’ll be way, way under when Tanc finally pulls the plug on his ACP charade.
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He isn’t really going to deport all Progressives. That was a joke, son.
Gosh, there’s even a chance that he might not even win.
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it’s not like he’s the undead, is he?
Is he?
He’s a one-issue idiot who ignored everything else while he was a Congressman. He’s the worst sort of media whore regarding that one issue, and he’s never EVER publicly embraced any of the other platforms of the ACP other than maybe Abortion.
From a purely selfish, operational standpoint I do understand making a deal with this Devil in return for the potential media you’ll get in return. If Tank manages to remember a few other ACP platform issues he might manage to drag away a few people away from the GOP and into your party.
But at the same time, he’s also going to drive away a lot of other voters who might have considered joining, but equate the ACP with his racist ideology.
Write a diary if you must, but why would you make a deal with this devil in return for a showing in a state election?
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The caricature found here about him being racist and only having one issue – deporting all Hispanics – you can get a lot of mileage out of that,
but it’s not based on anything he’s actually said. It’s based on what has been put in his mouth.
Me, I’m more concerned about the “bomb Mecca” remark. It is bigoted, and he really did say it.
But I am pretty sure that the 2-Party system is bad for the country, at least the way it is playing out today. I think having more thoughtfulness in our framework of governance would be good, and that will not emerge from the “Spy vs. Spy” mentality.
Lots of trade-offs. He’s not an ideal candidate, but he’s a pretty good vehicle for fostering change in the foundational
dialecticdebate. And, I might add in a moment of candor, he’s better aligned with the ACP platform than me on several key planks..
This is nuts.
I know you wouldn’t advise a front-running client to do that.
And, most importantly, unless those debates are being held in the Maes’s living room — Dan’s getting mileage reimbursements.
But,
Isn’t a big concern for Hick — Maes is undoubtedly going to look alot like Maes, and that’s what Hick is counting on.
He’s got the Governor’s race in the bag. This is about helping other Democrats by getting Maes more publicity.
Making sure all the republicans don’t bolt to Tancredo.
but, sorry, your comment makes no sense whatsoever RG.
Why would allowing Republicans to hear Maes speak keep them from bolting to Tancredo? Given Maes’ history to date, I’m thinking this actually guarantees that all but the die-hardest lunatic fringe bolts somewhere.
If Hickenlooper didn’t debate Maes, coupled with the state GOP’s efforts to disown themselves from Maes, the poor guy is in danger of disappearing entirely. There’s a hefty chunk of the electorate that agrees with Maes and thinks all the bad news is just a Denver Post vendetta against the upstart. By keeping Maes on the same stage as Hickenlooper, the mayor’s campaign makes sure Republicans (and conservative-leaning unaffiliateds) have a real choice.
Did you watch the KBDI debate Friday? Maes was kind of befuddled, but he didn’t say anything that “guarantees that all but the die-hardest lunatic fringe bolts somewhere.” The more all three are on stage together, the more Hickenlooper’s opponents divide the vote.
I agree wholeheartedly.
He’s saying, See? Tancredo doesn’t count.
It also will help mark the Republican territory with the Maes scent. Not good for Republicans down the ballot.
I think it’s a good move.
If all the right-wing crazies start supporting the Tank, Hickenlooper has to actually campaign (though he’ll still win).
Pushing Maes up a bit helps keep that vote split more evenly so Hickenlooper can sail through. At least that’s what I’d be thinking if I were involved in the campaign.
Tancredo gets marginalized, and the contrast will be great for Dan! This race is looking less and less like an automatic Dem win.
Will you marry me?
I just spat coffee all over this one.
It would tend to have that effect on you. Your one hope (the Looper) is quickly fading.
taken too many meds today… I know you feel ok but you really should not drive or post in this condition. (are you seeing sounds as colors yet?)
Lie down, everything will be ok (for Democrats that is)
when only a few days ago you were singing “et tu Brute” and stabbing him in the back in hopes he would withdraw.
You’re stuck with him and back to making the best of it, I see.
Now that chance is over and Maes is the best out of the three. Tancredo is unelectable. Plus, Maes is picking up steam again, and as it turns out Tancredo may not even be eligible to be on the ballot.
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As soon as the Court opens tomorrow morning, Tanc will be thrown off the ballot. That’s a safe bet. Almost guaranteed.
Unless, of course, the case is heard by a sentient Judge. An Article III Judge who can stay awake for arguments. Somebody who reads ColoradoPols, where that argument got its proper due last week. In that case, the outcome may not be so favorable to Danny uh-Maes-ing.
I have to admit, Danny is really building up a head of momentum steam. He’s on a roll. He was threatened by Tom’s 9% in last week’s polling, but now that Tanc has dropped to 15%, Danny can breathe easier.
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The “preview” button gives you a chance to fix statements before they become immortal posts.
There was a chance for one of the two, Maes or Tancredo, to carry forth the conservative banner. Maes forfeited his shot by showing himself to be a poseur. His campaign was mortally wounded, and he fell on the field of battle, where his lifeless corpse remains. We can go back and bury his remains later. Meanwhile, Tanc has picked up the Guidon and is continuing to advance.
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you look so very dashing all dressed up in your brand new shill.
on what is posted on ColoradoPols. God help us all if that is the case.
Not sure where that 15% comes from, link? Even if Tancredo, in the face of wholesale abandonment of Maes by the GOP establishment, picked up a measly 6%, I still don’t see how you expect to win. 15% is a typical number for a third party candidate at this stage in the election season, and tends to drop off towards the election. Not even all of Tancredo’s outside fundraising will be able to buy the office of governor.
I don’t know who Guidon is, nor do I care.
I have a homework assignment for you.
Google “Dede Scozzafava” and report back on how well a conservative third-party candidate can do when the nutjob teabaggers get energized.
to accuse LoopdeLoop of siphoning off all our water and giving it to the UN.
It would be nice to have one somewhere other than Grand Junction.
It’s a commute, for everybody. Media particularly, but people in attendance, too.
Sounds good, but not smart.
Plus, that means Dan Maes would have to collect even more gas money.
The trouble is, Real People don’t go to Club 20.
don’t go to debates anywhere.
they have lives.
I was planning to go to the Club 20 debate.
I guess that means I have no life, huh?
that you’re not a “real” person.
So it has to mean I have no life.
deserve representation too. Isn’t that the message of Amendment 62?
I’m gonna vote no.
That means I have no rights.
Bumping good comments off my sig line.
I liked it when I wrote it, and I love seeing it put to good use.
It just belongs to someone else. But don’t give it back. It fits you better.
Only about 10% of Colorado voters live on the Western Slope.
We live on the Western Slope.
Pea Green
Pea Green? One of my all-time favorite places on earth. But only for the name — made for a lot of tee-hees in junior high. It’s the most god-forsaken-looking piece of ground in the state. That cemetary? Is there any on earth more forelorn? Parched, stoney ground. A rather nice view off to the west, though.
Used to have Saturday night dances at the Grange(?)hall on the corner. The girls would hang around inside wishing for a dance while all the guys hung out by the cars swigging on their pints waiting for a fight to break out — between guys from Delta and those from Montrose, usually, but occasionally Olathe got into it.
Oh, this is a political site? Ok, here goes: That’s where a lot of Republicans are born.
From the Colorado Data Book
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Sat…
total population projection for 2010 is 5.2 million,
585,000 on the western slope, plus
132,000 in the central mountains, plus
48,000 in the San Luis Valley
which color of bicycle I’m going to ride onto the stage.
or go with a new leopard print?
I am pretty sure the bike will be a loaner from that
commieUN bike sharing plot. “RED” bike BTWMaybe, just maybe, it’s for the reason he gave in his press release:
Could that possibly, just possibly, be the reason? That Hickenlooper believes there’s intrinsic merit in the candidates actually discussing the issues facing our state in a responsible, mature manner?