OUR VIEW: Gov. Tancredo? It could happen (vote here)
Poll has him within 10 points
September 28, 2010 5:46 PM

Try saying it, just to see what it??s like: ??Governor Tancredo.?

It was far-fetched a few weeks ago, as this column pointed out, but not so much anymore. A Pulse Opinion Research Poll Tuesday showed former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Republican running as the Constitution Party candidate, within 10 points of Denver Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper. Democrats would be in serious trouble today, if it weren??t for Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Maes. They had better hope and pray Maes doesn??t drop from the race and throw his support to Tancredo, giving the former congressman a likely win.

Who would have thought it possible, a month or two ago, that a Constitution Party candidate would make this a race? Nobody who knows anything about Colorado politics.

It??s astonishing what the establishment could be in for in November, and the unlikely ascent of Tancredo is just one more indicator.

??With a 10-point margin, at this point, I don??t think it??s a stretch to say Tancredo is in striking distance. Stranger things have happened in politics,? said Bob Drake, who ran campaigns for former Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Wirth. Drake works as a partner in Talmey-Drake Research Strategy, a political research firm in Boulder.

Drake??s partner, veteran Colorado pollster Paul Talmey, says it??s clear that voters are angry at Democrats.

??The fact this is not a walk for Hickenlooper is absolutely astounding,? Talmey said. ??A 10 percent margin cannot be consider a walk. I think this shows us that a lot of people really are ready for a third party.?

The poll found Hickenlooper at 44 percent, Tancredo at 34 percent and Maes at 15 percent. If Tancredo cuts support for Maes by 10 points, he could be in a dogfight with Hickenlooper. If Maes drops out, Hickenlooper fights an uphill battle.

Talmey said the polling data mean Hickenlooper will have to view Tancredo as a serious opponent, and consider ways to build up Maes.

Drake said with only a 10 percent lead, Hickenlooper may start regretting promises to avoid going negative. If the lead drops to 7 points or fewer, Drake said Hickenlooper may have to break his promise of an all-positive campaign ?? a promise made when it seemed nobody would reach his stratosphere in the polls.

Bylaws of the Colorado Republican Party require Chairman Dick Wadhams to support the nominee ?? even though Maes has no chance and Wadhams urged him to drop out.

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??What this poll reveals is the fact John Hickenlooper is clearly a very weak and vulnerable candidate,? Wadhams said. ??He has been stuck at 45 percent in nearly every poll that has been conducted, and that??s with a weak opponent. Without a split on the right, he loses.?

Though a 10-point lead shouldn??t have Hickenlooper too worried, he should fear that Maes drops out. Why would Maes do that? Because his stories of running a successful business were fake. Short of winning the governor??s race, which isn??t possible, Maes has no job. Imagine if Tancredo??s camp whispers Maes the promise of a mid-level government job in return for dropping from the race. In addition to giving Maes incentive to step aside, it would be an olive branch to his handful of supporters. If something of that sort occurs, say hello to Governor Tancredo ?? of the Constitution Party.

??I think anything could happen this year,? Talmey said.

At least it??s not the boring old politics as usual.

OUR VIEW: Gov. Tancredo? It could happen (vote here) | view, gov, vote - Opinion - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO


As most of you are probably aware Tancredo is for legalizing marijuana.

Tancredo calls for legalizing marijuana « Colorado Independent
rightwinger Reviewed by rightwinger on . Polling shows Tancredo gaining on Hickenlooper OUR VIEW: Gov. Tancredo? It could happen (vote here) Poll has him within 10 points September 28, 2010 5:46 PM Try saying it, just to see what it??s like: ??Governor Tancredo.? It was far-fetched a few weeks ago, as this column pointed out, but not so much anymore. A Pulse Opinion Research Poll Tuesday showed former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Republican running as the Constitution Party candidate, within 10 points of Denver Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Rating: 5