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ASPEN — If Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis' campaign is on the ropes, he showed no signs of it Friday during a panel discussion at the Republican Governors Association meeting taking place in Aspen.
Joining several GOP gubernatorial candidates for an informal lunchtime discussion about their candidacies and the issues in their respective states, McInnis called Colorado's job losses largely “self-inflicted.”
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour moderated the proceedings, held at the Hotel Jerome.
There was no mention of the controversy that has enveloped McInnis for plagiarizing parts of essays about water rights — at least not during the panel's remarks. Rather, the candidates discussed the challenges facing their states — job creation being chief among them. Government spending, deficits and education were also common themes, along with the requisite jabs at their Democratic opponents.
Other Republican gubernatorial hopefuls were Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Chris Dudley of Oregon and Bill Brady of Illinois. All but McInnis have already won the GOP primary in their home states; Colorado's takes place Aug. 10.
McInnis lashed out at the “typical liberal formula” under Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's administration, blaming tax increases and stricter regulation of the gas and oil industry for hurting the economy and driving away jobs.
“These job losses, a good portion of them…it's self-inflicted,” he said.
McInnis said he would rewrite the oil and gas regulations and cut taxes to help bring business to the state.
“In Colorado, when you take a look at it, it really comes down to capitalism 101,” he said.
“I will de-unionize all our state agencies on day one by executive order,” McInnis added, reiterating a vow to end the order signed by Ritter that allows state workers to form employee partnerships for bartering purposes.
“My opponent talks about creating jobs,” said New Mexico prosecutor Martinez, referring to Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a Democrat. “Well she has created jobs — in your state, your state, your state,” she said, nodding to those around her.
Among New Mexico's challenges is ending an atmosphere of favoritism in order to attract business, she said.
Sandoval, who gave up a federal judgeship to run for governor, said Nevada needs to diversify its economy and become competitive in attracting business to address its high unemployment rate.
Oregon's Dudley, a former NBA player, took aim at his state's capital gains tax and government spending, and said there has been a recognition that the state needs to welcome business and reward it for coming.
“Out of crisis comes opportunity,” he said.
Illinois' Brady called for tax cuts, and litigation and regulatory reform to entice businesses and jobs.
Jokes about stealing jobs from each other aside, Brady suggested the GOP can show that reducing government spending, taxes and regulation does work.
“The better we all do individually, the better we all do collectively,” he said.
After the panel disbanded, McInnis, who faces Dan Maes in Colorado's Republic primary, stressed again that he has no plans to withdraw as a candidate, even as the plagiarism scandal continued to dog him.
According to The Associated Press, former congressman Tom Tancredo this week suggested the party keep McInnis in the race to beat Maes in the primary, and then persuade him to step aside and let the party's central committee fill the vacancy for the general election.
“That's not going to happen,” McInnis said during a break in Friday's session. “I'm not going to look a voter in the face, tell him that I can lead and ask for their support and then do the bait and switch,” he said.
“I made a mistake and stood up and took responsibility for it,” said McInnis, who, according to the AP, also said Friday he would repay the $300,000 he received from The Hasan Family Foundation in 2005 for the essays.
janet@aspentimes.com
Joining several GOP gubernatorial candidates for an informal lunchtime discussion about their candidacies and the issues in their respective states, McInnis called Colorado's job losses largely “self-inflicted.”
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour moderated the proceedings, held at the Hotel Jerome.
There was no mention of the controversy that has enveloped McInnis for plagiarizing parts of essays about water rights — at least not during the panel's remarks. Rather, the candidates discussed the challenges facing their states — job creation being chief among them. Government spending, deficits and education were also common themes, along with the requisite jabs at their Democratic opponents.
Other Republican gubernatorial hopefuls were Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Chris Dudley of Oregon and Bill Brady of Illinois. All but McInnis have already won the GOP primary in their home states; Colorado's takes place Aug. 10.
McInnis lashed out at the “typical liberal formula” under Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's administration, blaming tax increases and stricter regulation of the gas and oil industry for hurting the economy and driving away jobs.
“These job losses, a good portion of them…it's self-inflicted,” he said.
McInnis said he would rewrite the oil and gas regulations and cut taxes to help bring business to the state.
“In Colorado, when you take a look at it, it really comes down to capitalism 101,” he said.
“I will de-unionize all our state agencies on day one by executive order,” McInnis added, reiterating a vow to end the order signed by Ritter that allows state workers to form employee partnerships for bartering purposes.
“My opponent talks about creating jobs,” said New Mexico prosecutor Martinez, referring to Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a Democrat. “Well she has created jobs — in your state, your state, your state,” she said, nodding to those around her.
Among New Mexico's challenges is ending an atmosphere of favoritism in order to attract business, she said.
Sandoval, who gave up a federal judgeship to run for governor, said Nevada needs to diversify its economy and become competitive in attracting business to address its high unemployment rate.
Oregon's Dudley, a former NBA player, took aim at his state's capital gains tax and government spending, and said there has been a recognition that the state needs to welcome business and reward it for coming.
“Out of crisis comes opportunity,” he said.
Illinois' Brady called for tax cuts, and litigation and regulatory reform to entice businesses and jobs.
Jokes about stealing jobs from each other aside, Brady suggested the GOP can show that reducing government spending, taxes and regulation does work.
“The better we all do individually, the better we all do collectively,” he said.
After the panel disbanded, McInnis, who faces Dan Maes in Colorado's Republic primary, stressed again that he has no plans to withdraw as a candidate, even as the plagiarism scandal continued to dog him.
According to The Associated Press, former congressman Tom Tancredo this week suggested the party keep McInnis in the race to beat Maes in the primary, and then persuade him to step aside and let the party's central committee fill the vacancy for the general election.
“That's not going to happen,” McInnis said during a break in Friday's session. “I'm not going to look a voter in the face, tell him that I can lead and ask for their support and then do the bait and switch,” he said.
“I made a mistake and stood up and took responsibility for it,” said McInnis, who, according to the AP, also said Friday he would repay the $300,000 he received from The Hasan Family Foundation in 2005 for the essays.
janet@aspentimes.com
