April 13, 2004
60-40 FILES:
Heir to Coors Throne Will Run for Senate (Dotty Lynch, Douglas Kiker, Beth Lester, Clothilde Ewing, Jamie English and Sean Sharifi, 4/13/04, CBS News)
Peter Coors, chairman of the Adolph Coors Co., will announce today on the Colorado State Senate steps his campaign for U.S. Senate, reports the Rocky Mountain News. Among those joining Coors are Gov. Bill Owens, Rep. Scott McInnis, and retiring Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.Owens withdrew his endorsement of conservative former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer yesterday, “and threw his support behind Peter Coors, the deep-pocketed political novice who runs the Coors beer empire”, the Denver Post reports. Schaffer, perceived as being on the far-right of the GOP, said Owens broke the news in a brief phone call.
“He said he was sorry and I told him that I forgive him,” Schaffer said. He said Owens listed his complaints, but Schaffer refused to disclose what was said. “His reasons are his, and I’m not here to articulate them,” Schaffer said.
As Coors hits the campaign trail, he will take an unpaid leave from the brewing company. He plans to raise the money he needs for the campaign but is prepared to put his own money in if necessary. “With former GOP state chairman Bruce Benson in his corner, Coors is expected to attract a lot of cash”, the Denver Post reports.
When asked why he wants to run for Senate, Coors said, “I’m very fortunate to be blessed with a family that engaged in a great enterprise in Colorado, and I inherited a lot of benefits. I’m at a point in my life ... where I really want to pay back my country for all that I’ve enjoyed.”
Coors and his wife Marilyn, a professor of medical ethics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, say they have been discussing his run for Senate for decades. It became clear a week ago the time was now.
The conservative movement owes the Coors family more than it can ever repay already--holding this seat for the GOP will just add to the debt. It would also give Governor Owens a win the the first primary of 2008. His prospective opponents--Jeb Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mitt Romney, John McCain, etc.--will need Senate victories to stack up against his. Posted by Orrin Judd at April 13, 2004 1:33 PM
This assumes Coors wins the seat. Supposedly the Dems have a strong candidate in the Attorney General or something like that. Coors could be like the other millionaires who have run in other races who turn out to be lousy candidates.
My belief is that Colorado GOP will need Bush coattails to hold this seat.
Wonder what they'll serve at the victory party?
Posted by: John Resnick at April 13, 2004 2:20 PMOnce Mr. Coors shows up with the Coors Light Twins on the trail, what exactly will AG Salazar respond with, a Pat Schroeder strip tease? Face it: Most guys love Republican Senate wins . . . and twins.
Posted by: AC at April 13, 2004 2:34 PMHow can Schwarzenegger be on that list? That would require a constitutional amnedment.
Won't happen. At least not by 2008.
Sorry Arnie.
Posted by: Andrew X at April 13, 2004 2:36 PMOrrin Hatch has already proposed it and it should be popular enough with Hispanics that both parties will be too scared to oppose it.
Posted by: oj at April 13, 2004 2:43 PM