July 16, 2009 07:48 AM UTC

Cleve Tidwell: Riddle Wrapped in an Enigma Inside a Goose Egg

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• by: RedGreen

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

International candidate of mystery Cleve Tidwell — that’s right, the one who enlisted an Indonesian bulletin board to stuff the vote on a straw poll — puts an enigmatic spin on his lack of fundraising numbers for the 2nd quarter.

Wielding his Twitter like a true 21st Century Republican, Tidwell informs the masses:

Yes I did file to run for office May 7th with the Federal Election Committee I took it to Washington personal! just no fund raising till July 1

A poll follows.

Not to worry. Tidwell’s site informs “volunteers and supporters” that the campaign is “now beginning what I call ‘Phase 2’,” or what everyone else would call some semblance of an actual campaign.

First fundraiser? The “Shootout with the Candidate” Fundraiser in Colorado Springs earlier this week. Since only 12 armed contributors had RSVP’d before the fundraiser, and tickets maxed out at $18, it’s probably a safe bet the Tidwell Machine is going to take its time breaking four digits.

With zero funds raised last quarter, Tidwell brings up the rear of his fellow GOP candidates, but not by much. Weldco DA Ken Buck scores biggest with $330,000 raised, followed by Aurora Councilman Ryan Frazier with $140,000 (h/t Jessica Fender at Politics West).

Appointed incumbent Michael Bennet, Fender notes, has actually spent more since January than his Republican challengers have raised. And that’s after raising a total $2,600,000 in two quarters.

Of course an incumbent is going to blow away potential challengers — though doesn’t Tidwell look ready to blow away any intruders? — especially a full year before nominating conventions, but this is ridiculous. But not as ridiculous as Tidwell’s Folly.

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