Daily Sentinel quoted GOP chairman Wadhams -- not Democrats -- about state of Democratic Party

Summary: Reporting on former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis' (R-CO) decision not to run for the U.S. Senate in 2008, The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction quoted state GOP chairman Dick Wadhams as saying Colorado's Republican and Democratic parties "are in a state of flux." The article did not include any Democrats assessing the state of their party.

In a March 22 article about former Republican Congressman Scott McInnis' decision not to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Wayne Allard after the 2008 election, The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction quoted Republican Party chairman Dick Wadhams' baseless claim that Colorado's Republican and Democratic parties "are in a state of flux." The article, however, did not contain any Democratic assessments of the Democratic Party.

Before quoting Wadhams, the article noted that "[t]he field of potential candidates includes the current attorney general, another former congressman, a former congressional candidate and a radio-talk-show host on the GOP side. U.S. Rep. Mark Udall is alone on the Democrat side." The Daily Sentinel then reported:

"I think both parties are in a state of flux," said Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, predicting both parties eventually will field strong candidates. "What that means is that the state of Colorado will be in the cross hairs of national attention ... again."

The article, by Gary Harmon, did not explain why the Democratic Party might be in a "state of flux" and did not include comment from any Democratic spokesperson.

In contrast, a March 22 Rocky Mountain News article quoted Wadhams as saying only that "[a]ll eyes are on [former Republican Congressman] Bob Schaffer, probably, at this point." The News also noted that "Democrats were already sharpening verbal barbs against him [Schaffer], anticipating a possible matchup against Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo." Similarly, The Denver Post reported on March 22:

Newly elected state GOP head Dick Wadhams, who was drafted to get the party back on track, said he isn't concerned about the party's chances in November 2008.

"I have no qualms about fielding an excellent candidate," he said. "This is a critical seat, and the candidate will be well-funded from national sources as well as those within the state."

From Gary Harmon's March 22 article, "McInnis out of Senate race; field wide open," in the March 22 edition of The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction:

Former Congressman Scott McInnis, once a certain candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008, won't run to replace fellow Republican Wayne Allard.

McInnis' departure from the field more than 20 months before the election leaves no announced candidate on either side of the aisle in what currently is the nation's only open Senate seat.

[...]

The field of potential candidates includes the current attorney general, another former congressman, a former congressional candidate and a radio-talk-show host on the GOP side. U.S. Rep. Mark Udall is alone on the Democrat side.

"I think both parties are in a state of flux," said Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, predicting both parties eventually will field strong candidates. "What that means is that the state of Colorado will be in the cross hairs of national attention ... again."

McInnis said in a statement that his decision was best for the state "and ultimately what is right for my family." There were no health issues at play in the decision, he said.

[...]

Udall is the only Democrat who has announced interest in the Senate seat and has been raising money in connection with re-election to his 2nd District seat, which includes Boulder. He can transfer that money to a Senate race.

—E.B.