McInnis Likely to Challenge Udall
In the earliest competitive 2008 Senate race to take shape, former Rep. Scott McInnis has filed the necessary paperwork to begin raising money for a bid. McInnis has nearly a million dollars from his House account, which remained in place after he opted against seeking reelection in 2004. That makes him competitive against Democrat nominee to be Rep. Mark Udall.
While McInnis would like to clear the field, he is likely to face serious conservative opposition, either from former Rep. Bob Schaffer or former RNC Chair, former Vatican Ambassador Jim Nicholson. The primary would likely be helpful for the eventual Republican nominee, whomever that may be, as it would build their name recognition and exposure prior to the general election. The one snag would be whether conservatives in general, and Schaffer backers in particular, would once again be willing to get behind an establishment pick having been pushed aside already in a losing battle in 2004.
For either Nicholson or Schaffer to be competitive, they would have to enter the race and begin building a war chest soon. With nearly a million dollars in the bank, McInnis has the ability to all but put away the nomination with a strong fundraising quarter or two. If the conservatives don`t respond quickly, the GOP nomination will be a done deal before the first of the year.
March 1st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Do you know where McInnis stands on judges, fiscal restraint, and defense? I think McInnis is the best chance the GOP has at the seat. McInnis has the money time and support to run against the formidable Udall. Schaffer might but I think he has run too far to the right to win in purple Colorado. In addition, no one has heard of Nicholson. Udall has prepared for along time for this job and will be hard to beat, but possible.