March 18, 2009 05:45 PM UTC

Penry/McInnis Cage Match?

• 1 Comments
• by: ClubTwitty

While I think they are just trying to sell their rapidly declining paper, the Sentinel’s lead article today is “McInnis vs. Penry?  Gubernatorial ambitions set stage for clash of political allies.”

The (print) article is accompanied by a large double-headed graphic of what might be called Josh McPinnis or Scooter Menry…very frightening and not a nice image during breakfast.  But I digress.

State chairman Dick Wadhmas says that:

It is really a tribute to the vast political talent of the Republican Party in western Colorado.

The article begins

The battle for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010 could be a Western Slope affair, pitting former Congressman Scott McInnis against his onetime aide, Josh Penry.

McInnis suggests that some of it is merely posturing, according to the Sentinel article:

Penry and McInnis have clashed indirectly before, when Penry bested Matt Smith, McInnis’ brother-in-law, when Penry sought to run for the Senate in 2006.

Penry had succeeded Smith in the House District 54 seat, which he sought with McInnis’ endorsement in 2004.

McInnis said Tuesday he still has political ambitions and, “My focus is more on the governor’s seat.”

Penry said he has received “a lot of encouragement from legislators, party activists and just unsolicited e-mails from people who want new energy and fresh leadership.”

Once the session is over, Penry said, he’ll discuss it with his family.

Rumors generally run amok as the party’s central committee prepares to gather, as it is doing this weekend in Denver, McInnis said.

“This week, everybody is running for everything,” he said.

However, McInnis notes that he is not interested in challenging Sen. Bennet.  

The most insightful information in this story that is not quite a story?

Ritter should take note of the Republicans looking to run against him, Penry said.

“I think the fact that Scott and some other prospective candidates are re-engaging in the fight speaks to the fact that this governor has made himself very vulnerable,” Penry said.

Wow.  A Republican will challenge the Democratic Governor in the next election?  Who could have guessed it?  

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