Showdown in the Governor’s Race
July 24th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Tom Tancredo demands McGinnis and Maes step down.
On Thursday, former Congressman Tom Tancredo threw down the gauntlet. His demands? Both GOP gubernatorial candidates, Dan Maes and Scott McInnis, must bow out of the governor’s race by high noon on Monday, July 26th and replace the GOP nominee (with himself?). If the GOP candidates do not meet his demands, he will usurp the nomination of American Constitution Party candidate Benjamin Goss and run on a third party ticket.
Both Dan Maes and Scott McInnis have stated that they have no intentions of leaving the race primary.
In an open letter to Tea Party and 9/12 activists issued back in November, Tom Tancredo issued this statement:
“Some patriots are tempted to launch a third political party or back one of the existing small parties that never attract more than one or two percent of the vote in state races. I strongly believe that such a course is suicidal and would only result in splitting the conservative vote and guaranteeing the re-election of liberals and socialists.”
http://www.examiner.com/x-33619-Denver-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m12d23-Tom-Tancredos-open-letter-to-Colorados-912-actvitsts-and-Tea-Party-patriots
Read Tancredo’s press release issued on Thursday below, as well as his follow up statement.
Released Thursday, July 22nd 2010 – 4:45pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STATEMENT BY TOM TANCREDO
Events of the past two weeks have developed in such a way as to create an unprecedented situation in the race for Governor of Colorado. The two candidates vying for the Republican nomination have, in my opinion, lost any hope of carrying out a successful campaign. This situation is unacceptable to me, and I am sure, to thousands of other Colorado Republicans, Independents and other Colorado voters whose hopes for a change to a smaller and fiscally responsible government in Colorado in November now seem dashed. To achieve this goal the winner of the August Republican primary must step down and allow the Party to appoint a viable replacement candidate to face John Hickenlooper and the Obama-Pelosi smear machine. It is up to the Party to pick that replacement except that it is imperative he or she be a solid conservative with a chance to win the general election in November. There are, because of time and party registration constraints imposed by state election laws and party rules, very few other options open to those Coloradans who seek a solution to this dilemma.
I, for one, will do what is necessary within those limitations to avoid the electoral disaster looming on the horizon. That disaster would not be limited to the loss of the Governor’s race, but of many “down ticket” races. The grass roots electorate would lack any incentive to get to the polls.
Therefore, today I am asking for a public commitment from both Scott McInnis and Dan Maes that they will do what is right for the state of Colorado. Regardless of the outcome of the Primary election on August 10, on August 11 the winner must agree to remove himself from consideration if polling on that date shows that he is losing the race for Governor. If either or both choose to ignore this request, and do not make a public commitment to this end no later than noon on Monday, July 26, I will announce on that day that I will seek the nomination of the American Constitution Party for Governor of Colorado.
If I run, I will do so to the best of my ability and will do so through the November election. A great deal needs to be done for any candidate to put together a competitive campaign. Of course that includes raising the money necessary for such a race. Every hour of delay makes that a more difficult task.
This decision is completely in the hands of Dan Maes and Scott McInnis.
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Posted in 2010 Mid-Term Elections | 
Tags: ACP, Dan Maes, elections, GOP, Governor's Race, Scott McGinnis, Tom Tancredo
6 Responses to “Showdown in the Governor’s Race”
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I am a fan of former Congressman Tancredo and as a native Hispanic American, I applaud his efforts to eliminate a”sanctuary” Colorado and uphold the Constitution and the Federal laws on ILLEGAL aliens.
I would not have hesitated to cast my vote and support for his Gubernatorial candidacy if he’d have declared when Maes and McInnis declared. However, having made his ultimatum, I fear that he is doing exactly what he thinks he is preventing . . . splitting the vote. I agree that a conservative electoral disaster is imminent with “down ticket” races affected if the vote is split. However, it can not be expected that the current candidates will give it all up at this point or after the primary. That is not logical or prudent. However, I expect the primary election loser would throw his support behind the winner.
With all due respect, Mr. Tancredo, “stand down and support the conservatives and don’t muddy the water any further.”
Manita for a sovereign America
Considering that support for Dan Maes continues to grow by leaps and bounds, can anyone tell me why Tom Tancredo thinks Dan has “lost any hope of carrying out a successful campaign”? I don’t get it. It seems that Tom’s become a bit of a bully and diminished his credibility. I think Dan Maes has an outstanding chance of being our next Governor, and I hope that he is.
Rozina, if you are going to vote for a third party candidate, you should at least vote for a free market conservaive. That term does not apply to Tom Tancredo.
http://www.peoplespresscollective.org/2010/07/tancredonotafreemarketconservative/
I agree with Ms Mortensen and Ms Muir-Ray, probably, with Elliot, too, if he’s right about Tancredo not being a free market conservative. Recent information about Maes and McInnis is somewhat disturbing, however, I still support Dan Maes. I am looking for new leadership and not the same old politics that McInnis and Norton offer. I would hope that whomever loses the primary will throw their support to the winner.
I strongly agree with Ms Mortensen’s statement, “With all due respect, Mr. Tancredo, “stand down and support the conservatives and don’t muddy the water any further.”
This is interesting. I am a New Jersey Tea Party member who has just read the article in the Wall Street Journal concerning this matter. The Journal reports a poll that gives Tancredo a win with 29% over 5 other Republicans, yet Patsy says Dan Maes’ support “continues to grow by leaps and bounds”. Elliot says Tancredo is not a free market conservative. What is the truth? I say, if Patsy is right (and local polls should give an easy answer) and Maes fills the bill on policy go with him. But if Maes is a “loser” give Tancredo the benefit of the doubt that he is acting out of patriotism and throw all support to him. Please forgive me for butting in but as someone who loves Colorado and more importantly America, I have my own vested interest.
Philip, I’m with you. I am involved with many different Tea Party and 912 groups here in Colorado and attended my first Tea Party on 2/27/2010. I support Tom Tancredo and give him the benefit of the doubt. I think there is a misunderstand here among many in the Liberty Groups in thinking that Tom was hoping the GOP would appoint him if the winner of the GOP primary withdrew. Tom has never been a ‘favorite’ of the local or National Republican party, so I doubt he would have been appointed or that he would have expected to be.
I think Tom Tancredo being voted Governor of Colorado would not only be a good thing for Colorado. I also think it would be good for the country. In my opinion, more Chris Christie’s and Tom Tancredo’s, who will call a spade a spade and are not afraid to be ‘politically incorrect’ is exactly what we need.
By the way, I’m originally from New Jersey (Wayne)