Maes Hitting Up Grassroots, Close To Second in Straw Poll

Evergreen businessman Dan Maes (candidate for Governor) recently sent out and e-mail and has been reprinted by Backbone America:

The Democrats, liberals, progressives or whatever name they go by these
days, have awakened the sleeping giant of the silent majority and a conservative
revolution is upon us. In my now over 30,000 miles of campaign travel I have
seen this revolution in the form of Tea Parties, new grass roots organizations
like 9.12, I Caucus, ROAR America, Liberty on the Rocks, R Block Party, and
others all around the state by names unique to their own region.

A clear message has been articulated and that is “Enough is Enough” of
the recent and not so recent sins of our fathers in both parties. Generally
speaking members of these groups want to be republicans but the sour taste of
the sins is still wearing off. They want new and fresh faces in their candidates
and anyone that has any similarity to a lawyer or “career politician” may as
well pack their bags and go home if these folks have anything to say about it.
They want common sense candidates and leadership that truly represents them and
not party or special interests.

Though Dan Maes has not been getting press like the other guys in the race, he is trying hard to get there. A newcomer to politics, Dan has been all over the state in a short amount of time selling himself as the best choice to lead Colorado forward. Back when he announced, nobody thought Maes would even be able to continue this far let alone this speed, but now things are changing. Still having a very long way to go, Maes is hitting it out at events and gaining volunteers. Will he be able to shake enough hands, speak at enough events, knock on enough doors before the convention? Time will tell. Until then Maes won't stop.

Results from the Central Committee Meeting last night....

Josh Penry: 79%
Scott McInnis: 11%
Dan Maes 9%

Jane Norton: 34%
Ryan Frazier: 27%
Ken Buck: 27%

Norton Brings Mixed Bag: Will GOP Accept?

Watching former Lt. Governor Jane Norton announce her run at her site http://www.janenortonforcolorado.com/ shows you the extent of her speaking skills. Boring. By far the least enthusiastic candidate in Colorado that has announced a run for office in 2010. Can you honestly say you weren't bored or stopped paying attention with her quiet monotone voice?

However, in recent Rassmussen polls apparently nobody at the moment cares about that, they hear her name against Bennet or Romanoff and say "I'd rather have Norton".

Jane Norton (R)
45%
Michael Bennet (D)
36%

Jane Norton (R)
42%
Andrew Romanoff (D)
34%

So far Norton has made head-lines in the Republican party because rumors the NRSC is going to endorse Norton. That brings her money, lots and lots, but also loses credibility and local GOP activists. As you've seen (or haven't) Colorado's conservatives are not happy with Washington telling who their nominee will be when this is one of the most likely pick-ups in Colorado. Norton also has been accused from the right as being a liberal, supporting Tax Increases while working with Owens which will also surely hurt her in this primary of conservative voters.

Norton also does however fare better in polls then Frazier and Buck. Frazier only edging Bennet by 1 point and Buck trailing. Perhaps it's the name ID, Norton was Lt. Governor while Buck and Frazier are only well known in their areas.

Probably one of the most controversial candidates for the GOP in 2010, Norton will have to sway Republicans that she is the one to beat Bennet (or Romanoff). What we do know...Bennet and even Romanoff are very weak, so it's up to the GOP primary voters who they want the next Senator from Colorado to be. Even Cleve Tidwell or Luke Korkowski could become it if the GOP wishes it. Will Norton's NRSC "support" and fundraising "skills" be able to bring her to victory, or will the GOP say "We'd like a conservative that WE choose" next year. With still a year to go, anything could happen