McInnis In Serious Trouble Over Pinon Canyon

by: Colorado Pols

Thu May 07, 2009 at 09:12:48 AM MDT

For 12 years, Scott McInnis was the Republican congressman who represented the vast 3rd Congressional District, so it took some Democrats and Republicans by surprise this week when McInnis urged Gov. Bill Ritter to veto legislation that could hobble the Army's long-contested plan to expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

McInnis retired from Congress in 2003 but resurfaced in recent weeks as a possible GOP contender for governor. His letter to Ritter on Tuesday said HB1317 - which would prevent the Colorado State Land Board from selling any of its land around Pinon Canyon to the Army - could be used by opponents to block any future compromise between the Army and ranchers. Pinon Canyon is located northeast of Trinidad and in the 3rd District

In his letter, McInnis called the legislation "premature" and expressed confidence that a compromise with the Army would be reached in time if the process was not hampered by state restrictions.

In an interview Tuesday, McInnis insisted that some landowners do want to sell their property and that expanding Pinon Canyon would mean significant economic development at Fort Carson and Colorado Springs...

If you, like us, dropped your jaw and asked yourself "what the hell could he possibly be thinking" yesterday regardless of your party or preferences in the governor's race, you apparently were far from alone. The Chieftain continues:

"I'm surprised and thought Mr. McInnis would be a strong supporter of private property rights," [Rep. John] Salazar said in a statement.

That also was the reaction of some Republicans, including one longtime Republican state activist who asked not to be identified. "It looks like Scott is willing to give up all future support in Southeastern Colorado to court voters in Colorado Springs," he said. [Pols emphasis]

That also was the view of state Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, and one of the sponsors of HB1317.

"It's disappointing that Rep. McInnis, who represented the district all those years, is not willing to help the ranchers around Pinon Canyon protect their livelihoods and land," Kester said Friday. "I've spoken with Gov. Ritter today and he's told me he will be signing the legislation."

Kester and Senate Minority Leader John Penry, a Grand Junction Republican who also is seen as a contender for governor, sent a letter to Ritter on Wednesday, pointing out the state land bill had strong bi-partisan support in the House and Senate...

There's no need to mince words here, this will go down as a self-inflicted PR disaster for Scott "McLobbyist" McInnis, and it won't just hurt him in sparsely-populated southern Colorado--the takings issue resonates with base Republicans all over the state, as anybody along an RTD right-of-way, for example can tell you. The damage this boneheaded, craven move will do to McInnis around the state will negate any tactical advantage he might have gained with the military-friendly voters in El Paso County. This is why it makes no sense to us--who the hell is giving him advice?

We hate to say it, since everybody loves a good primary, but between McInnis' continuous foot sharpshooting (helped along by notably eager friendly fire though it may be) and Ken Buck's faceplant campaign debut, it's possible this primary situation could get settled a little bit faster than, well, many Democrats would prefer...