COLORADO AND SAN DIEGO REPUBLICANS HAVE TO SETTLE FOR LESSER CANDIDATES IN A TOUGH YEAR

With highly unpopular Colorado extremist Wayne Allard choosing retirement over certain defeat in a re-election bid, it looked like Republicans were uniting behind a relatively mainstream conservative in former Congressman Scott McInnis. Today word comes down that McInnis "may" have changed his mind, opening the door for hard-right radical loon Bob Schaffer to try for the Senate again. (He was already rejected by Colorado voters in 2004.)

This morning's Denver Post  examines the possible reasons McInnis, whose nickname is "McLobbyist," probably won't run. "Not only does the national political environment still show voter dissatisfaction with Republicans, but GOP backers have paused at some of McInnis' past political decisions and current status as a lobbyist. Additionally, former Sen. Bill Armstrong, known as the 'godfather' of the state GOP, isn't backing him, and has thrown his support behind former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer..."

Schaffer and Armstrong are both pawns of the religionist right and are totally under the control of James Dobson. Both are also pets of the Greed and Selfishness wing of the GOP, represented by the anti-American Club for Growth. It will be virtually impossible for a candidate as far to the right as Schaffer to capture enough independent and moderate votes to win a statewide election.

And the Republicans in the House have some bad news too. Instead of having entrencher wheeler-dealer Duncan Hunter holding on to California's 52nd CD, they're going to have to make due with his 30 year old son, who is not a resident of California and who is likely to be challenged by other right-wingers in a bitter primary before facing a Democrat.