Gov. Ritter derides Republicans' contract with Colorado

[ccharles000]

As top Republicans began lining up behind gubernatorial hopeful Scott McInnis, Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter derided his opponent's adoption of a new conservative agenda that debuts today and defended his own record on economic issues.

State Sen. Minority Leader Josh Penry, once a gubernatorial candidate himself, endorsed his former GOP rival at a news conference Sunday in Grand Junction.

Former Congressman Tom Tancredo, who had also vowed to run for governor, said he will announce his support for McInnis today, largely clearing the path to the GOP nomination.

Both would-be candidates exited after gaining assurances that McInnis would hold to a new conservative platform that all three helped develop along with other GOP leaders who hoped to avoid previous election-cycle mistakes by uniting the party early.

At a Sunday-night news conference, Ritter characterized the Republicans' multipoint agenda as "just (being) against things" and cast McInnis' support of it as buckling to pressure from Republican leaders.

"There's not anyone who has sat down with me and said I have to agree with (an) agenda to be my party's candidate," Ritter said. "We're keeping our focus on creating jobs and will let our actions speak for themselves."

Ritter's talk has toughened as the Ritter-McInnis matchup has become more certain and Republicans have focused their attacks on the incumbent instead of one another. Political novice and Evergreen businessman Dan Maes remains McInnis' sole challenger for the GOP nomination.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13848051

[47of74]

1. Oh goodie...the GOP is putting up a contract on Colorado

I hope the voters out there understand that this contract isn't with the state, it's a contract on the state. Much like the Contract On America the GOP put up back in 94.

[MadMaddie]

2. The Republican contract will divide them farther

good...