Posted by
NOTLEGALROADKILLYET on Thursday, March 01, 2007 12:15:33 PM
Only every Republican in the state, that's who.
Peter Blake of the Rocky Mountain News lists the following folks: Mike Coffman, Secretary of State (I hope not-the last thing Republicans need is Ken Norton as SoS), Scott McInnis (Who showed up at the LPR Retreat for ten minutes to shake hands, but has a mini scandal to live down), Bob Schaffer (Who has to live down his 2004 primary loss for the same job, his sabotage of three moderate Republican legislators in the 2004 general election).
Blake also mentions the following contenders for Tancredo's seat, should he step down:
[A] 6th Congressional District primary would draw a full house of GOP candidates.
One of the names tossed about is that of state Sen. Tom Wiens of Castle Rock, who hasn't forgotten he lost a congressional race a quarter century ago in the 3rd District to Democrat Ray Kogovsek.
Also mentioned is Rep. David Balmer of Centennial. He too has run and lost a congressional race. But it was in North Carolina in 1994. He lost a runoff after he got caught padding his résumé. He has since worked hard to live down the incident, and is known as a successful fund-raiser for Republican legislative candidates.
Former Senate President John Andrews would look at the race, and so would state Sen. Nancy Spence of Centennial and former state Sen. John Evans of Parker.
I guess Retired USAF Major General Bentley Rayburn hasn't told Peter Blake that he would run for Allard's seat if Bob Schaffer doesn't. Rayburn came out of total obscurity to take third place in a six person race for the 5th CD Republican nomination. It's hard to see how that qualifies Rayburn as a viable candidate for the Senate seat, but time will tell.
Full Disclosure: As a retired Army Officer and amateur historian, I don't think men and women with extensive military backgrounds make very good political leaders. If they did, Congress would be full of them. It already has a few too many, including Jack Murtha and John McCain. Eisenhower was an adequate President, but just adequate. Grant was awful. Carter (USNA and 11 years) was worse than Grant. The post Civil War Republicans nominated almost nothing but Civil War Generals, all immanently forgettable. Only James Garfield went out with a bang!
I admit that it is a prejudice of mine, but I think it is supported by the historical record. Other than George Washington, try to name a Representative, Senator, or President who was both outstanding and boasted an extensive military record. I can't name any, and that's my point.