Caucuses Indicate Pinon Canyon position is a BIG issue!

March 19th, 2010 - Pueblo Chieftain - Chieftain.Com

TUESDAY’S CAUCUSES showed that Colorado is in for some tough political fighting among both Democrats and Republicans leading up to the primary election.   For Democrats, the main bout for the U.S. Senate pits former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff against appointed incumbent Michael Bennet. In a straw poll, Pueblo Democrats gave the edge to Mr. Romanoff.

However, Sen. Bennet has a huge war chest, much of it money from East Coast liberals. And he’s been endorsed by President Barack Obama, although in recent by-elections that endorsement has not resulted in victories.

Pueblo Republicans gave Evergreen businessman Dan Maes the edge over former Rep. Scott McInnis in a straw poll in the governor’s race. That may have been a result of tea party supporters who are seeking more conservative candidates — a backlash to the liberals who control Congress and the Colorado Statehouse.

Pueblo was one of 13 counties in which Republicans showed more support for Mr. Maes than for Mr. McInnis. It’s clear that, if Mr. McInnis is to win the governorship, we highly recommend that he reconsiders his position on Pinon Canyon.   Mr. McInnis’ support of the Army’s proposal to buy up more ranchland around Fort Carson’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site may play well in Colorado Springs. But it turns off many Southern Coloradans who know full well that shutting down the ranches in Southeastern Colorado will directly damage the economies of Pueblo and the nearby farm communities.

In the GOP senatorial contest, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck outpolled former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, who has had a statistical lead statewide. Also-rans in the Pueblo polling were Cleve Tidwell, former State Sen. Tom Wiens and Steve Barton.

One race that’s cloudy is the Republican campaign for the 3rd Congressional District. State Rep. Scott Tipton of Cortez has been the front-runner, but Steamboat Springs lawyer Bob McConnell has received strong backing from tea party supporters.   However, Rep. Tipton has the endorsement of the Western Slope Conservative Alliance, so this one appears to be one of who can persuade the GOP faithful which of the two is the more conservative.

 Stay tuned.