Owens, Schaffer Back Beauprez

Congressman Bob Beauprez has received the endorsements of Governor Bill Owens and former Congressman Bob Schaffer in his run for governor in 2006.

The Owens endorsement isn't a major surprise, though the timing is curious in that it came so early. Beauprez has now tied up most of the big names, and while endorsements don't guarantee much, it doesn't help Marc Holtzman if Beauprez cleans up all of the big names.

Click below to read the full press release:

Congressman Bob Beauprez today announced two more critical endorsements for his expected gubernatorial bid from Republican leaders Governor Bill Owens and former Congressman Bob Schaffer.

"Bob Beauprez is a third-generation Coloradan with deep roots in our state," said Governor Owens. "He knows what it's like to put in a hard day's work, build a business and meet a payroll. He will be an outstanding Governor for Colorado."

Governor Owens, who has been called the "best governor in America," won reelection in 2002 by one of the largest margins in Colorado history. Schaffer, who has earned a reputation as a rock-solid conservative, both among Colorado grassroots activists and nationally, garnered top-line designation for the U.S. Senate race at last year's State Convention.

"Bob Beauprez is a proven leader for Colorado. He is a visionary statesman whose performance on the crucial issues of education, agriculture and economic growth reflect the exact experience we need in our next governor," said Schaffer.

"Governor Owens and Congressman Schaffer represent the very best of the Republican party in Colorado," said Beauprez. "I appreciate their support and look forward to their help in unifying the party faithful around my candidacy for governor."

Today's endorsements of Beauprez follow nods of public support from State Treasurer Mike Coffman, Congressman Joel Hefley, and Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, among others.

Comments

[cruising]

Two big pick-ups for our future Governor. The writing is on the wall!

[candyraver]

Everyone hear that? it's the sound of momentum....like a boulder rolling down a hill....

[neo]

Wonder how Owens does this in light of BB's opposition to C & D? What is his bitch with Holtzman?

[Henry]

Its the sound of momentum...like a boulder rolling down a hill...? What have you been smoking and where can I buy some?

[Tired old establishment]

So, let's get this straight--in a year that's shaping up to be anti-incumbent and anti-establishment, Bob Beauprez is running as "Mr. Establishment" and spending his time collecting names to prove it? How many Republican primary voters does the Owens endorsement bring with it? Remember, that's term-limited, lame-duck *tax-lover* Bill Owens. And so early on in the game, too. Brilliant!

I'm not sure that Marc Holtzman could have written a better script himself: Beauprez, already lagging in the money race, collects early establishment baggage to slow himself even further. As far as I'm concerned, this is simply one more in a slew of missteps Beauprez has made in recent weeks.

P.S. All this is for Beauprez's "expected" gubernatorial bid? Sounds like somebody has commitment phobia....

[Tired old establishment]

So, let's get this straight--in a year that's shaping up to be anti-incumbent and anti-establishment, Bob Beauprez is running as "Mr. Establishment" and spending his time collecting names to prove it? How many Republican primary voters does the Owens endorsement bring with it? Remember, that's term-limited, lame-duck *tax-lover* Bill Owens. And so early on in the game, too. Brilliant!

I'm not sure that Marc Holtzman could have written a better script himself: Beauprez, already lagging in the money race, collects early establishment baggage to slow himself even further. As far as I'm concerned, this is simply one more in a slew of missteps Beauprez has made in recent weeks.

P.S. All this is for Beauprez's "expected" gubernatorial bid? Sounds like somebody has commitment phobia....

[Silly little man]

Hey, summer school at DU must have just let out. Better hurry before you miss your next class.

[Defero Veritas]

Sounds like MH has sour grapes at getting shoo'd off by his old boss. Must have skipped the chapter on endorsements in 'Your First Campaign for Dummies.'

Come to think of it, that might explain why he claimed Joel Hefley's endorsement...

[Where'sCoffman]

While I heard through the grape vine Owens was behind Beauprez, Holtzman's attack on Owens' tax hiking policies in the Post (or Rocky?)last week obviously caused this. Although my man Coffman is out fighting for our great country and not campaigning for Governor, I gotta respect someone who comes out strong against C. Obviously keeping Owens happy and getting his endorsement is more important to BB than being a true fiscal conservative.While I'm not wild about Holtzman, I may vote for him just because he has the guts to stand up to the Owens/Benson cabal.

[Big-govt. Bobby]

Perhaps Owens will be kind enough to mention Beauprez's name while he's out campaigning for Ref. C+D. That could only help, right, Defero?

Maybe Beauprez could even join Owens on the campaign trail - or is his Congressional schedule too taxing?

[jake]

Wasn't BB the guy that used the chainsaw analogy to describe C&D?

In fact, wasn't that talked about on this very site??

http://coloradopoliticalnews.blogs.com/colorado_political_news/2005/04/calling_surgeon.html

[coffman for BB]

I guess Where'sCoffman missed the fact that Coffman is one of the BB endorsers?

[Senator]

I would just like to point out to Defero Veritas that MH is not currently engaging in his "first" campaign. In 1986 Holtzman ran for congress in Pennsyvania. Not to mention that he ran Citizens for America, Ronald Reagans issue group in 1980.

If you are going to take cheap shots at least get the facts right. MH is a legitimate candidate for office, and has thus far in the race exhibited more political prowess than any candidate in the field, R's and D's combinbed.

[Defero Veritas]

Silly BGB, the world's a lot bigger than C+D (see Jake's research). Did you get the memo? Bob Schaffer is also endorsing Beauprez for governor. Sure, you can take a cheap shot at the governor, but let's see you make Shaffer a moderate.

How does the Holtzman party spin that away? The campus library might be a good place to start...

[Defero Veritas]

Dear Senator, thank you for reminding me that 20 years ago MH lost a federal race in Pennsylvannia. I apologize for responding to a cheap shot so quickly that I forgot his previously unsuccessful trip to the ballot box. I'll be sure to include some mention of MH losing in PA from here on out.

As far as having "exhibited more political prowess than any candidate in the field"... could you offer some examples? I mean other than the talking points about East Coast fundraising prowess. Because from what I can tell, Beauprez has wrapped up all the major endorsements in the state, is actively reaching primary voters (see DELJ's post earlier) and might be closing the money gap quickly. But maybe you have a better definition of political prowess?

[unified]

Bob Beauprez is unifying the party. I never imagined that liberals and conservatives within the Republican party could agree upon one gubenatorial candidate so early in the process. It's inspiring, frankly, and desperately needed.

[blahblahblah]

Hey "unified"

How much did that post cost the Beauprez Campaign? And where do I sign up for that job?

[Informed Voter]

Senator:

In his 1986 Pennsylvania race for Congress, Marc Holtzman had his ass kicked by over 40 percentage points. It escapes me how that confers legitimacy on his candidacy. This is a guy who only rolled into Colorado (and to Aspen no less)a few years ago and now thinks he ought to be our Governor. Every other candidate in the race has more credentials than this carpet bagging loser.

[thinkin]

glad to see the beauprez campaign and owens offices posting here... how are you guys doing? Oh - by the way - we have this thing called an election next year. You might have heard about it... folks get to actually decide what happens in the world.

Or should everything always be handed over on silver platters from incumbants?

[bylaws?]

Per the Colorado Republican Party Bylaws, Article III, Section C:

"No candidate for any designation or nomination for public office shall be endorsed, supported or opposed by the CRC (acting as an entity) or by its officers or committees, before the Primary, unless such candidate is unopposed in the primary."

[Senator]

To clarify: First of all to Defero Veritas, even in a losing bid for a congressional seat against a powerful democrat incumbent, a candidate learns how to campaign, and not just ‘east coast’ fundraising. And as is often said you learn more from your loses than your victories.

Other than the $800,000 he has in the bank 16 months out of the primary, he has organized a team that will be as capable of grassroots organization as Bob Beauprez, he will begin a 64 county tour to reach as many of the 150,000 Republican Primary voters as possible, one on one. And if you want to talk important endorsements look no further than John Elway. The Denver Establishment while already endorsing BB does not get people outside of their ranks, and next to the rest of the state will not hold for certain a win in the primary.

Additionally if you remember November 2004, the state Republicans saw first hand what endorsements achieve in the general. Pete Coors lost with all of the same endorsements that BB currently has.

When it comes to legitimacy in Colorado, not only did Holtzman hold the cabinet level position of Secretary of Technology, he just finished as President of Denver University and has been involved with the state going back to his Reagan days. And if “a few years ago” means 8, sure he is new here. And if you want to attack MH on that lets examine one other state figure not native to this wonderful state, one Bill Owens who calls the Lone Star State his place of birth.

I would just like to mention that while I am not advocating for or against MH or BB, it wouldn’t hurt to examine all the facts about both candidates and stop with mindless libel.

As long as name calling and slander are involved this website is being slowly degraded inch by inch.

[yellowdogdem]

" And if you want to talk important endorsements look no further than John Elway."

seriously? I'm not a Republican but I can't imagine GOP primary voters are so shallow as to be swayed by who John Elway endorses.

[Donald E. L. Johnson]

Like some others here, I'm undecided on the gubernatorial race, but I'm beginning to "lean."

Help me understand the differences between BB and MH.

How do they disagree?

How is one a better campaigner than the other?

Assume neither will have money problems?

Don

[Donald E. L. Johnson]

Hey, Colo pols, how about a contest to see who can write the most negative campaign headlines about BB, MH, RB, etc.?

Or is it too early to do the "Dave Thomas jig?"

[maryland]

The primary difference is that Beauprez has a record of actually accomplishing things as a member of Congress, State Party Chairman, Small Businessman, and dairy farmer. Holtzman's career has been distinguished primarily by him getting close to others who actually accomplish things. In other words, Marc is a professional ass-kisser. What did he accomplish at DU? What did he do for the state as the technology secretary? As far as the public record is concerned - nothing.