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McCain, Elway team up in 'must-win' Colorado

Candidate stumps in Denver today as polls tilt to rival

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 24, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated October 24, 2008 at 8:10 a.m.

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Hundreds of people line up outside the National Western Complex waiting to get in to see Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain as he makes a campaign stop in Denver Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.

Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky

Hundreds of people line up outside the National Western Complex waiting to get in to see Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain as he makes a campaign stop in Denver Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.

Abby Potter, 5, of Berthoud, waits outside to see Republican presidential candidate John McCain speak at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colo., on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. Broncos Hall-of-Famer John Elway will speak at the event in support of John McCain.

Photo by Chris Schneider © The Rocky

Abby Potter, 5, of Berthoud, waits outside to see Republican presidential candidate John McCain speak at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colo., on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. Broncos Hall-of-Famer John Elway will speak at the event in support of John McCain.

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Sen. John McCain needs a last-minute comeback drive, so he has enlisted legendary Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway to help him throw a Hail Mary pass in Colorado today.

Elway is scheduled to join the Republican presidential candidate at a 10 a.m. rally at the National Western Arena in Denver - part of McCain's latest barnstorming through a once-reliable Republican state that's now considered one of several "must-win" places for him.

With less than two weeks until the election, national polls tilt toward Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama, who visits Colorado on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Obama is leading or competitive in nine states that voted for Republican President George W. Bush in 2004 - Iowa, New Mexico, Virginia, Colorado, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri and Nevada.

"Barack Obama has so many paths to 270 (electoral votes), that it will be very difficult for him to lose," said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "For McCain, he needs a whole series of big and small, red miracles."

McCain's best hope starts with solidifying his grip on the traditionally Republican states, and then swiping electoral votes in one of a handful of targeted states that voted for Democratic Sen. John Kerry in 2004 - Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Minnesota or Wisconsin.

But because the polls have been discouraging there, too, it raises the stakes even higher in places like Colorado.

"Obviously, you want to hold on to the states President Bush won and build on that base," McCain spokesman Tom Kise said. "We're 12 days away from the election. The 270 (electoral vote) math can happen a number of different ways."

The problem is, Obama has more ways to get to the magic number, so winning Colorado remains a priority for him, but not an absolute necessity, analysts said.

Two states that went Republican in 2004, New Mexico and Iowa, already appear to be solidly in Obama's column - although the GOP still hopes for surprises.

Recent polls have given Obama up to a double-digit lead in Virginia. He also has been in statistical dead heats - or better - in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and Missouri.

If Obama wins any combination of those states and holds all the states Kerry won, Colorado's votes could become just icing on the cake.

Because Obama has other options, Colorado has gone from "must-win" to "a nice state to win" for the Democrat, pollster Floyd Ciruli said.

Polls have shown Obama leading in Colorado by 5 percentage points or more.

"It just looks to me like if you lose Colorado, you can't win nationally," state Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams said Thursday. At first, he said that applied to both candidates, but then conceded: "Probably it's more of a dire situation for McCain."

Political science professor Norman Provizer of Metropolitan State College in Denver said McCain's campaign is stretched thin "primarily because he has to battle in places where he should easily be in control."

Provizer won't even call Colorado a "must-win" state - "but only because he has so many other must-wins."

Comments

  • October 24, 2008

    12:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Robert5000 writes:

    America’s Next President

    Good by George and Richard. We will certainly miss you both a great deal, given the deep understanding and sound judgment you demonstrated in committing our country to an invasion and a very expensive protracted war in Iraq. And many thanks also for keeping a close regulatory eye on Wall Street and our mortgage lending and banking system during your 8 year watch. Sorry Bill and Hillary. Of course we really wanted to have you back again so that Bill could have another shot at some more action with interns in the oval office; and we will certainly miss not being able to hear all the details of such encounters. Too bad John and Sarah. We will always be deeply grateful to you, John, for so wisely putting the needs of our country above petty politics in choosing your running mate. But, Sarah, unfortunately it looks like we may never get the chance to fulfill our wildest dream of someday having President Palin lead the free world. On the other hand Barack Obama isn’t all that great, is he? He is merely an intelligent, articulate, and insightful 47 year old biracial man, a top of his class graduate of Harvard Law School and president of its Law Review, a former instructor of constitutional law for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School, a 3 term Illinois State Senator and US Senator for the past 4 years, a Washington outsider with fresh ideas who wants to make significant changes in Washington. Come to think of it. Welcome Barack Obama!

  • October 24, 2008

    5:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    coloradovet writes:

    Yeah, John Elway's a great figurehead to represent most Americans. Give me a break. Elway is as clueless as McCain to the problems of everyday America. These are just two rich people looking out for each other.

  • October 24, 2008

    6:11 a.m.

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    jersey writes:

    Coloradovet....HEAR HEAR!

  • October 24, 2008

    6:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    EXrepublican writes:

    coloradovet, Spot on.
    wealthy looking to stay wealthy off of the backs of the middle class.
    the true meaning of "elitist"
    republicans hate the middle class doing well as then they are reduced to "above average."

  • October 24, 2008

    6:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mrtaco writes:

    if elway played football as poorly as he plays politics, absolutely nobody would care what he thought about this race.

    he should stick to his area of expertise... it's clearly not politics.

  • October 24, 2008

    6:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    GK writes:

    Dinosaur's roam.

  • October 24, 2008

    6:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    danirobi writes:

    mrtaco- If Elway should stick to his area of expertise, then Hollywood should do the same. At least Elway has an education unlike most hollywood actors...

  • October 24, 2008

    6:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Salsmom writes:

    hear, hear...had Ronald Reagan stayed in Hollywood we would never have had the results of the trickle down theory of economics - but then again McCain and Elway (both multi-millionaires) still thinks it is best for all of the dwindling middle class.

  • October 24, 2008

    7 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    Another insult from McCain. He thinks because we are Elway fan's that all of a sudden we are going to just say: "Well maybe McCain isn't out of touch with the middle class. John we are a little smarter then you give us credit for.

  • October 24, 2008

    7:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    riverrafter writes:

    Darn it, I used to like John Elway! What on earth is he thinking?

  • October 24, 2008

    7:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RL writes:

    Danirobi:

    "Elway has an education", I'm sure when he was skating his way through Stanford he became a scholar and cherished the educational process. Pretty weak statement; and John is one of the richest public figures in Colorado; right in touch with the common man.

  • October 24, 2008

    7:56 a.m.

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    StarsNStripes writes:

    Yea, John!!....Thanks for supporting the best party.

  • October 24, 2008

    7:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ghoax writes:

    my bet McCain...and Rock on John(s) and Sarah!

    you can't fool all of the people big O, many American's are smart enough to see the dangerous consequences of a Soro's controlled government.

    this pretty much says it all

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYWbpI...

  • October 24, 2008

    8:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dallrace writes:

    Always liked Elway, Now I love him. Nov 4 there will be a lot of pissied off libs.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    fishoutawater writes:

    Elway gets a tax break from Republicans! How have they tricked people into thinking that Joe the Plumber is better off with McCain than Obama? If he actually made $250+ he'd be better off anyway. He wont! He isn't! Lets not forget, Republicans have tricked the working class for decades.

    REPUBLICAN HAVE TRICKED THE WORKING CLASS FOR DECADES!

  • October 24, 2008

    8:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    UNV_ME writes:

    I love the optimism the republicans have. I almost feel sorry for you.... almost.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    amaikovich writes:

    John Elway with $100 million dollars in the bank, standing next to John McCain, with $100 million dollars in the bank.

    Their message: Explain why they shouldn't have their tax rate raised from 35 to 38 percent.

    Hey, if it worked for one unlicensed plumber...

  • October 24, 2008

    8:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bob299 writes:

    Thank God for early voting. Get out, Vote for Obama, and be done with this disaster of a presidency.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    cdawg writes:

    Elway? Who can forget the worst Super Bowl blowout of all time, XXIV, the Broncos losing to the Niners 55-10? How about Super Bowl XXII, the Broncos gacking to the Skins 42-10? Sure, he managed to win a couple later in the 90s, but he still will go down as one of the most overrated of the supposedly "great" qbs. I'll take Warren Moon any day, or even the testicle-dangling Peyton Manning.

    Good day!

  • October 24, 2008

    8:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronco writes:

    The poorest routinely vote against their best interests with the republicans simply because repubs are better at running elections then the dems. They appeal to the most basic, oversimplified, fear evoking, "patriotic" emotions of the electorate that cannot for some reason think critically. Joe the plumber would be much better off with Obama but the spin machine that is the GOP manages to supercede basic economics, common sense foriegn policy, ect, with their religious zeolotry and BS working class sympathies. In my opinion, if you have half a brain in your head the last eight years was enough to prove that the republicans are greedy arrogant scum who put big business first over country.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    PonchoVia writes:

    Yes, get out and vote early for Obama! You'll be glad you did!

    Vote Obama/Biden '08

  • October 24, 2008

    8:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MarcoPolo writes:

    The rich support the rich and John supports John. I bet Jake the Plummer doesn't make >$250K anymore.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Everyone who enters Stanford does not emerge as a Rhodes Scholar. I wouldn't put John Boy in the same "drawer" as Terry Bradshaw whom "Hollywood" Henderson once said, couldn't spell cat even if you spotted him the "C" and the "A", but then again, I've miscalculated before.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    danirobi writes:

    I'm sure all those hollywood people love getting a tax break too...

  • October 24, 2008

    8:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Danchan writes:

    Senator McCain can have Elway - he's not someone I respect anyway.

    If I was looking for a celebrity endorsement, and I'm not, I'd go with this one: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65...
    A very well done video from the most trusted man in pop culture... assuming you're at least as old as me that is.

  • October 24, 2008

    8:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    cdawg writes:

    Hey Colorado! Speak to the issue at hand! Elway kind of stunk, didn't he? He wasn't horrible, and he had a few good moments, but he too frequently came up short in the big game. In this way, he reminds me of John McCain. It makes perfect sense that McCain would pick an affable loser to campaign for him.

  • October 24, 2008

    9:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MarcoPolo writes:

    Cdawg, Elway was a great quarterback. Unfortunately, he is an example of what happens when you take too many shots to the head. You vote republican.

  • October 24, 2008

    9:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    Have any of you bemoaning "the rich" actually read Obama's tax plan? In particular note the word "credits" in his tax plan. I'll spare you the details since you should really read his plan yourselves, but the highlight is that if you make $40K-$250K a year, you will indeed see a lower "tax rate", but after factoring in the negative "credits" advocated in his plan, you'll actually pay a larger amount in tax. Looking closely at his “credits”, you might mistake “credits” for “loopholes”, except Obama says he isn’t in favor of loopholes…except when his tax plan shows he is.

    Very clever Obama - promise a lower tax rate for anyone below $250K, but add on "credits" so anyone above $40K actually pays more in taxes. It's really a brilliant strategy. A bald-faced lie, but brilliant nonetheless. The upshot is that most of you on this board advocating higher taxes for the rich have just become rich under Obama's credit plan. Congratulations! May you live long and prosper! Oh, and may you invest overseas and ship your jobs overseas to avoid Obama’s capital gains and business tax proposals!

  • October 24, 2008

    10:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bob299 writes:

    After 8 years of the Bush/McCain regime, I've lost over $50,000 in my investment accounts, the value of my home is down 10% (I'm lucky that I'm not underwater like most of America), McCain wants to tax my family's health benefits (I can tell you that $5,000 won't afford anyone any decent healthcare in the open market - the insurance companies will love it because they will be shooting fish in a barrel), I have yet to see any of the "trickle-down" economics from Bush's tax cuts to his buddies in the millionaire-crowd, and they are contemplating layoffs at my company after holding out for a year.

    All of you Republicans can vote McCain and cut your nose off to spite your face.

    McCain is 72 years old - Do you honestly think Palin is fit to lead? She can't even face down Katie Couric or Charlie Gibson - and they are the friendly faces of morning television.

    McCain will be 4 more years of disaster.

    Vote Obama.

  • October 24, 2008

    11:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    PonchoVia writes:

    Bob299, I agree with everything you say, except the part about Republicans voting for McCain. Many, many prominent Republicans are voting for Obama. Below is a short list:

    Elected Officials:

    Jim Leach, Former Congressman from Iowa
    Lincoln Chafee, Former United States Senator from Rhode Island
    Wayne Gilchrest, Congressman from Maryland
    Richard Riordan, Former Mayor of Los Angeles
    Lowell Weicker, Former Governor and Senator from Connecticut
    Jim Whitaker, Fairbanks, Alaska Mayor
    Linwood Holton, Former Governor of Virginia

    Government Officials:

    Colin Powell, Secretary of State under Bush 43
    Douglas Kmiec, Head of the Office of Legal Counsel under Reagan & Bush 41
    Jackson M. Andrews, Republican Counsel to the U.S. Senate
    Susan Eisenhower, Granddaughter of President Eisenhower & President of the Eisenhower Group
    Francis Fukuyama, Advisor to President Reagan
    Rita Hauser, Former White House intelligence advisor under George W. Bush
    Larry Hunter, Former President Reagan Policy Advisor
    Bill Ruckelshaus, served in the Nixon and Reagan administrations
    Ken Adelman, served in the Ford administration
    Lilibet Hagel, Wife of Republican Senator Chuck Hagel
    Scott McClellan, Former Press Secratary for George W. Bush
    Arne Carlson, Former Minnesota Governer
    William Weld, Former Massachussetts Governer

    Columnists and Academics:

    Jeffrey Hart, National Review Senior Editor
    Andrew Bacevich, Professor of International Relations at Boston University
    David Friedman, Economist and son of Milton and Rose Friedman
    Christopher Buckley, Son of National Review founder William F. Buckley & former NR columnist
    Andrew Sullivan, Columnist for the Atlantic Monthly
    Wick Alison, Former publisher of the National Review
    Michael Smerconish, Columnist for the Philadelphia Enquirer

    Others
    CC Goldwater and sibling/cousins, grandchildren of Republican icon Barry Goldwater

    Source: http://www.republicansforobama.org/?q...

    Republicans, you CAN vote for Barack Obama. Many other Republicans have and will vote for Barack Obama.

    Vote Obama/Biden!

  • October 24, 2008

    12:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MsBGH writes:

    I hope there isn't riots if McCain wins - as nasty as the libs have been in this campaign! Obama is already planning his victory...would be sad to see all that money go to waste.
    McCain may be old - but I know he loves America and our troops. Not sure what the other side is...it's all murky. Scary!
    All I can say is PRAY!!!
    Go McCain/Palin!!!

  • October 24, 2008

    10:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    EZBakeOven writes:

    Nasty libs? Ah yes. How about slanderous, libelous neo-cons? Obama is a terrorist. He's not an American. He's an Arab. His wife ate lobster. She hates America. He's a Muslim. He hates babies. And on and on it goes. Don't accuse the left of nastiness when it's the right and Lee Atwater who invented the modern nasty, negative, divisive campaigning that passes for politics these days.

  • October 25, 2008

    6:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Robert5000: EXQUISITE, ELOQUENT AND ACCURATE!