John McCain? He’s still an Arizona senator. The state legislature? Democrats remain in control. The 2008 election? It’s in the history books.
And 2010? Well, that’s a different story. Look out, Democrats, here we come.
So goes the mantra of the Colorado Republican Party, which meets tonight and Saturday to reflect and elect.
“There are a number of Republicans who believe that we will have success on the local, state and federal level in 2010,” said Mike Beasley, who served in former GOP Gov. Bill Owens’ administration.
He said events in Washington, including President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy, are giving Republicans hope they will be back on top in two years.
“Republicans now are in a very good position,” said Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, who faces a challenge when he seeks re-election Saturday.
Former Eagle County Commissioner Tom Stone also is vying for chairman, and four candidates are running for vice chairman.
The GOP biennial gathering starts tonight with a a sold-out dinner featuring an address from Michael Steele, the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Steele’s appearance comes 10 days after his comment in GQ that abortion is an individual choice set off a firestorm of criticism from conservatives within his own party.
Wadhams said the chairman’s comments “have been a topic of conversation” but he hasn’t fielded any “angry phone calls” about Steele being the speaker.
Pat Waak, the Colorado Democratic Party chairwoman, will be out of state this weekend, but she said she doubts Republicans will say anything new.
“I’ve heard it all before,” she said.
The 433-member Republican State Central Committee will meet Saturday at Douglas County High School. The hottest agenda item is the race between Wadhams and Stone.
When Wadhams took over two years ago, he inherited a $597,000 debt, which has since been erased, and a state party demoralized and in disarray after back-to-back whippings in November.
Wadhams presided over the third straight beating, but he had predicted that 2008 would be rough.
As for Stone, he believes what used to be a long shot now has turned into a horse race.
“A lot of people are looking for change. There are a lot of people out there that I have talked to who are ready to have the Republican voice heard again in Colorado,” Stone said.
Candidate snapshots
Dick Wadhams and Tom Stone are vying to win a two-year term as chairman of the Colorado Republican Party:
Tom Stone
Address: Gypsum
Age: 55
Education: East High School, Fort Lewis College
Occupation: Realtor
Political history: former Eagle County commissioner
What he says: “I decided to run because Republicans need to start winning again in Colorado. What we’re doing is not working.”
Dick Wadhams
Address: Littleton
Age: 53
Education: Las Animas High School, University of Southern Colorado, now known as Colorado State University- Pueblo.
Occupation: chairman of the Colorado Republican Party
Political history: Extensive, including running Bill Owens’ gubernatorial campaign in 1998, Wayne Allard’s successful Senate campaigns in 1996 and 2002, and Bob Schaffer’s losing bid last year.
What he says: “Republicans now are in a very good position.”
