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McInnis out of running

Former rep won't make Republican bid for Senate

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 22, 2007 at midnight

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WASHINGTON - Former Congressman Scott McInnis on Wednesday took his name out of the running for the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Colorado, adding a dose of early drama and uncertainty to the Republican side of the contest.

McInnis, whose nearly $1 million campaign war chest made him an early front-runner for the GOP nomination, said family concerns weighed on his decision to end an exploratory campaign to replace retiring Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo.

"I will remain actively involved, just not on the ballot," McInnis said in a release.

Within minutes of McInnis' announcement, some fellow Republicans began speculating that former Congressman Bob Schaffer could emerge as a "consensus" pick who could help the party avoid a divisive primary.

Democrats were already sharpening verbal barbs against him, anticipating a possible matchup against Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo.

But Schaffer said he hasn't decided whether to enter the race.

"There's an optimal time to arrive at a decision for me, and when I get there, I'll decide," Schaffer said in an interview.

Others potentially considering the GOP race include Attorney General John Suthers, retired Air Force Gen. Bentley Rayburn and radio talk show host Dan -Caplis.

"All eyes are on Bob Schaffer, probably, at this point," said state GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams.

Some Republicans are wary of having a contentious primary in 2008, believing that the hard- fought primaries in the 2004 U.S. Senate race and 2006 governor's race left the party's two nominees, Pete Coors and Bob Beauprez, weakened.

Political analyst Floyd Ciruli says that was a key factor behind the decision by McInnis, who is considered more of a centrist Republican.

"The further right was really not reconciled to him," Ciruli said.

There are potential wild cards.

Former Gov. Bill Owens has said he is through with public office, but Republicans still might try to coax him to enter the race.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., busy now with a long-shot presidential bid, has expressed interest in a future Senate seat.

And Republican Secretary of State Mike Coffman is among those being mentioned as a possible contender.

In the wings?

A number of Republicans have been men- tioned as potential U.S. Senate candidates:

• Former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer

• Colorado Attorney General John Suthers

• Attorney and talk radio host Dan Caplis

• Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman

• Former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens

• Former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez

• U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo

• Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn

or 202-436-2345 Staff writer Kevin Vaughan contributed to this report.