By John Gaudio,

I'm pissed.  I very rarely use that term, but when the supposed leaders of our Republican Party turn on the candidate, Dan Maes, that we, the Republicans of Colorado, have elected not once, but twice, to represent us in the race for governor, then unless they've got SOLID EVIDENCE that Dan is guilty of some SERIOUS CRIME, it's time to stop undermining his campaign and start supporting our Republican candidate!

The worst allegations I've heard are trivial.  Minor accounting errors.  Discrepancies about the purpose and amount of one contribution, from a former Maes supporter who now supports Tancredo, and minor details about Dan Maes' role in an undercover operation 25 years ago, do not a smoking gun make.  Next I suppose we'll be exposed to "evidence" from a childhood friend that Dan picked his nose when he was six years old.  Is it true?  Why would anyone care?

This is a game of chicken.  Tom Tancredo, and some other members of the Republican movers and shakers club, were surprised when their candidate, Scott McInnis, got into trouble and came in second.  They don't trust this newcomer to win, and/or don't want him messing up the status quo if he should win, so they're trying to strong arm Dan Maes into getting out of the race, when they should be doing everything they can to help him beat John Hickenlooper. 

It's time to print the ballots.  Dan's wife says she won't let him quit, and I believe her, so it's time for Tom Tancredo to swerve back to the right, and avoid the head on collision that could well hand this election to John Hickenlooper!

GET OUT NOW, TOM, or be forever known as the man who handed Colorado to John Hickenlooper in 2010!

Rasmussen still has conservatives, Tom Tancredo and Dan Maes, ahead of liberal, John Hickenlooper, by two points.  And that's in the middle of this ridiculous in fighting, with Hickenlooper paying for commercials, and Maes having to fight his own party! 

Is Tancredo more popular than Maes?  Hell no!  Dan Maes is ahead of Tom Tancredo by a full ten points!

It's time to act like adults.  Dan Maes has carried the ball to the goal line, with very little help from the Republican movers and shakers.  Now some want to throw Dan Maes off the team so that one of them can have the glory of scoring.  It's not fair.  It's not right, and they are begging the Republicans who support Dan Maes to split away from the Republican Party if they pull off such a dishonorable betrayal.

Get out of the way now, Tom.  Support fellow conservative, Dan Maes, for governor.  It's time for you to do what is right!

By John Gaudio, Published, 09/01/2010

Some days I hate politics.  Too much has been made of minor campaign contribution issues around Dan Maes.  The important facts are undisputed.  Nine months ago, Dan asked a supporter for financial help.  She willingly helped him.  Almost a year later they remember the details quite differently.

My father kept a cartoon on his desk for years.  "There are three sides to every story.  Yours, mine, and the facts."

Bottom line, as John Andrews said Monday evening, "[Dan]'s got fly specs, and no more than that, on his campaign finance filing.  Those things are complicated.  Anyone can make that mistake.  Keep our eye on the ball.  We need a conservative Republican governor, not a liberal Democrat.  We need Dan Maes, not John Hickenlooper.  Those are the alternatives.  Those are the only alternatives." 

[I'm sorry to say that Today, Thursday, 09/02/2010, John Adrews reversed his position.  John told me at 4:50 PM that he "can no longer give Dan Maes the benefit of the doubt."]

I found the following explanation from Dan, through Google, in an html archive from http://DanMaes.com.  Web sites change, and while I no longer find this item on Dan's site, it's still archived on Google.  Here's the link.  I've copied it below, reformatting it slightly to better fit my site.

--------

"This is the html version of the file http://www.danmaes.com/wp-content/uploads/dan-maes-the-facts-august2010.pdf.
Google automatically generates html versions of documents as we crawl the web.

The Facts About Dan Maes

Campaign Finance Matter Closed - No Misuse of Funds Occurred.

Evergreen, CO- July 12, 2010 - On May 5th 2010 Grand Junction resident Christopher Klitzke, with his attorney Erik Groves also of Grand Junction, filed a citizens complaint alleging that Dan Maes, Republican Designee for Governor in Colorado, had violated campaign finance guidelines. The complaint made allegations that would result in approximately $25,000.00 in fines for various alleged violations. After Maes had agreed to not contest the matter on July 2, 2010 and pay the fine Groves re-approached Maes' attorney, Steve Jones, with a proposal to reduce the fine amount.  After days of negotiating, the matter was closed today. Maes agreed to a lower amount of $17,500.00 reflecting fines for four violations. The fine was assessed for failing to disclose expenditures of over $20.00 in a timely manner though no specific finance laws dictate what timely is. It also included failure to properly record the occupation of 9 contributors and incorrectly listing a non-monetary (in kind) contribution as corporate instead of personal. Allegations of improper payments to Dan Maes by the campaign account proved untrue.

"Our campaign grew very quickly and the demands on it exceeded the resources we had for professional accounting staff. After our contract accountant left our campaign abruptly after our Q4 2009 report was due, we were left to use an inexperienced volunteer to complete the report. We made some clerical mistakes that we regret", stated Maes. "Our campaign must take responsibility for these mistakes. We have taken steps to insure these mistakes do not happen again. It is important that our supporters and other Colorado voters understand that there were neither illegal contributions nor expenditures and every reimbursement made by the campaign to Dan Maes was a completely legal and appropriate reimbursement of resources loaned to the campaign throughout 2009," Maes continued. “Do the math, 80,000 miles over 16 months at a combination of .555 and.505/mile equals over $40,000.00. Many people do not understand the work load and travel involved in a statewide campaign.”  "It is, however, obvious that this complaint was a politically motivated assault on our campaign and the grass roots voters, with the goal to drain our human and financial resources just as the primary season begins. It is a distraction from the serious issues facing the state of Colorado," Maes added. "We are ready to move forward and get to the real issues facing Colorado voters, and especially registered Republicans who deserve a debate between my Republican opponent and me. To date he has refused such a debate. The primary voters deserve to know the differences between us and he is denying them that privilege." Maes concluded.

Maes Resume Right On Track

I have never claimed to be a Fortune 500 CEO nor have I ever claimed to be a millionaire. My resume on line factually states my work history and it has always spoken to a small and medium business background including sales, sales management, managing partnership and small business executive. I am proud of my track record of building and turning around businesses in Denver, Western NY and Chicago.

I think many business people who have heard me speak wanted to think there was someone like them in the race. They wanted to believe in something greater than the career politicians and politics as usual. It appears they read more into my claims than was meant to be communicated.

Maes Personal Finances Reflect An Average Middle Class Family

As stated above, I never claimed to be a millionaire and I think many are tired of the millionaires who are out of touch with the realities of today’s economy. Success by definition varies from one family and person to another. I am also proud of the personal success I have attained after raising up from an austere childhood to where I am today. Like many, we choose to have my wife at home with our children. That makes for a difficult road for any one income family in our state. Over the years I have made in excess of$100,000.00 per year but that was during the corporate years. Once we returned to Evergreen we chose to simplify life. We also chose to start our own company. Contrary to what most think small business is about, it is not about fancy cars, lunching out, playing golf and making a lot of money in the first few years. It’s about sacrifice, low pay, and building equity.

Those who have lived by the W-2 all their lives don’t grasp the realities of starting a business from scratch. Give it a try sometime and you will have a new view of success than previously. Some will make that million but most will not until they sell their business and realize the reward of their years of hard work and sacrifice. Statistically this is the most common way to financial success for the small business person.

The Myth…Maes Can’t Win

I have heard this since day one. There was a concerted effort to convince people before the republican state assembly that I could not. In the week before the state assembly on May 22 emails, texts and robo calls went out to state delegates advising them that I could not win and guiding them to a website titled “Why Dan Maes Can’t Win”. The insiders threw thousands of dollars into this effort and guess what…WE WON. The people’s voices and actions are stronger than ever in recent history. The people are taking back their state and country and no one can stop that, not even the insiders and that is what has them in a fit.

Our victory at the state assembly was historic. I knew we would win based on the data. I now see similar data coming through as we approach the state primary vote on August 10, 2010.

Our campaign funding comes primarily from small donors. Our campaign account is not that of the insiders but it was enough to win the state assembly and it will be enough to win the primary. Our opponent out raised and outspent us 10:1. We still won. 2010 is a special and exciting year. All the rules have changed. Don’t listen to the media or the rumors. Call the candidate for the facts. I will give them to you. Scripture says, let you[r] yes mean yes and your no mean no. I commit to you that you will get straight answers.

The Liberal Kansas Police Department

My message from day one has been clear and consistent about my first job out of college being as a police officer in Liberal, Kansas. My goal was to live in Colorado and Liberal was only miles from Colorado. My intent was to stay there for 2 years and then complete the dream and move west. I was there from approximately Aug. 1983 until July 1985.

I am proud to say that I received an accommodation, referred to as an “At a Boy” for my excellent work on a citizen partnership between the Police Department and the Liberal Chamber of Commerce while there.

At one point in my 2 years there I was place[d] under cover by the Kansas Bureau of Investigations to gather information inside a bookmaking ring that was also allegedly selling drugs. I got too close to some significant people in the community who were involved in these activities and abruptly was dismissed from my position. I was blindsided and stunned to say the least.

Much like Cory Voorheez, I was a young officer caught in a situation that was much bigger than myself with no where to go. I am proud to say that I never participated in any illegal activity while undercover. Although this chapter of my life was yet another one where I fought the machine, I will not discuss the details any further as many who were involved in this situation are still alive and in new places in their lives and I want to protect them.

The Freda Poundstone Donation

As I clearly stated on KHOW radio when asked, I indeed did take a [$]300.00 donation from Freda one day. I did indeed meet her at her bank to do so. Fundraising is very challenging and it is not uncommon to meet donors personally to get donations. She wanted it done quietly and quickly and that is what we did. This occurred in approximately November of 2009 and we made a mistake by not understanding the rules about cash donations. Our treasurer at the time obviously did not post it or chose another route to logging it.  Indeed, cash was very tight at that time and I was not bashful about helping Freda understand the great need for fundraising. She gave no more than the $300.00.

God Bless,

Dan Maes"

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Dan Maes isn't perfect.  Not one of us is.  He's a solid conservative with more business experience than political experience.  He's made mistakes.  He'll make more mistakes, and still, he'll be a much better governor than John Hickenlooper.  As John Andrews eloquently said, "We need Dan Maes, not John Hickenlooper.  Those are the alternatives.  Those are the only alternatives."

Please support our Republican candidate for governor, Dan Maes. 

By John Gaudio,

According to Eli Stokols and the latest Reuters poll, (Read the story here.)  "Tom Tancredo's third party candidacy again appears to be putting Democrat John Hickenlooper, the mayor of Denver, in the driver's seat."

I know you mean well, Tom, but right now you're doing more to support John Hickenlooper than any other man woman or child in Colorado.  Dan Maes has beaten the odds, and been elected twice by our Republican Party, to be our Republican candidate for governor of Colorado.  Dan Maes, with 33% of the vote, has over twice your 16%, as he continues to widen the gap. 

According to Reuters, in a race between John Hickenlooper and Dan Maes, it's a tossup at 45%.  I'm confident though, that if you step aside and support Dan Maes, your united conservative front, 49%, will defeat John Hickenlooper's 41%.

Most of the ideas on your website are outstanding, but will never be implemented if you continue helping to elect John Hickenlooper as our next governor.  Please, Tom, work with Dan Maes, Tea Party Conservatives, and our Republican Party, to turn your ideas into reality, under the leadership of our next Colorado governor, Republican Dan Maes. 

In this election, Tom, you have set yourself up to be the King Maker.  Will you anoint sanctuary city mayor John Hickenlooper, or Conservative Republican, Dan Maes?

Please call Tom Tancredo at 303-858-8336, and ask him to support Dan Maes.  Then call Dan Maes, at 303-670-2010, volunteer to help, put up some signs, and send him a few dollars.

By John Gaudio,

Yesterday I received an email from Tom Tancredo, asking for money for his bid to move Dan Maes out of the Colorado gubernatorial race.  Among other things, Tom said:

"Honestly, I thought I was finished running for office. But I couldn’t stand by and watch the Republican establishment just hand over the state to Obama’s hand-picked Democrat candidate."

Below is my response.

"Tom,

I admire you greatly, and agree that handing the Colorado governor’s office over to Hickenlooper would be a travesty.  So please, stop doing it!

Maes is ahead of you in the latest polls, and will win the governor’s race if you step aside.  Do not do to Maes, what Perot did to Bush.  Do not be Hickenlooper’s savior, as Perot was Bill Clinton’s savior.

You’re better than that, Tom.

Please follow your own advice to the Tea Party movement.  Join with the Republican Party to support our common conservative principles.  Join me in  supporting the man who earned the right to carry our Republican banner in this gubernatorial race.  Help us win!

I just created http://DollarsForDan.com, and hope that Republicans will support the man we elected, twice, to represent us in this race.  I know your intentions are good, Tom, but as my father taught me many years ago, the road to hell, or in this case to Hickenlooper, can be paved with good intentions.

Please, do not go down in history as the man who put John Hickenlooper over the top.

God bless you, my friend.  Please do what is right.

John Gaudio, 303-870-1044

http://ABetterBlogsite.com"

In the most current Rasmussen polls Dan Maes, with 31%,  leads Tom Tancredo, with 18%, by 13 points. The total conservative vote, 49%, beat's John Hickenlooper's 43% by six points.  If Tom really wants a conservative victory, he can help orchestrate it by stepping aside now, and supporting Dan Maes for governor.

Please support Dan Maes, and ask Tom Tancredo to do what is best, not just for the Colorado Republicans that twice elected Dan Maes to be our candidate, but for all conservatives.  Tom can be reached at (303) 858-8336 - 9600 E Arapahoe Rd. - Suite 212 - Greenwood Village - CO 80112.  His website is http://TancredoForGovernor.co.

Please ask Tom to do what's best for all of us.  I know he doesn't want a thank you card from (Governor?) :-( John Hickenlooper on November third.

By John Gaudio,

It doesn't have to be much.  Buy Dan a dinner, lunch, some stamps, a case of paper, three seconds of TV advertising, or something else he needs to defeat Bill Ritter's alter ego, by giving just $25.00 to Dan Maes' campaign.  If you can't afford $25.00, send him $5.00 or $10.00, the cost of a cheap lunch.  If you can afford more, God bless you.  Dan needs the money.

It's nothing for Dan Maes to be ashamed of.  All people running for political office need money.  Our Colorado Republican establishment should be ashamed for effectively abandoning the gubernatorial candidate we elected twice, once at the State Assembly, and once in the primary.  Tom Tancredo, whom I admire, and whom I would have supported as our REPUBLICAN nominee, had he chosen to run, should not oppose the will of the members of (what used to be, and will, I hope be again) his own party.  Please, Tom, do not hand this election to John Hickenlooper the way Ross Prerot handed the 1992 presidential election to Bill Clinton.  You're better than that.

Dan's been outspent from the start.  The "smart money" said:

"Scott McInnis will easily win at the Republican State Assembly."  I was there. Dan won.

"Scott McInnis will easily win the Republican Nomination."  I was there too.  Dan won again.

Now the same "smart money" that was wrong twice before, claims that Dan Maes can't defeat John Hickenlooper, so Tom Tancredo feels justified in splitting our conservative vote, hoping to run Dan Maes out of the race.  Because Tom's splitting the conservative vote, and Dan doesn't have a lot of money, the Republican Governor's Conference, and other Republican organizations, are refusing to provide the support Dan Maes needs to beat John Hickenlooper.

We Republicans can't afford to let John Hickenlooper continue Bill Ritter's policies.  We cannot be party to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where since the "smart money" says Dan can't win, we shoot ourselves in the head by splitting our vote, and denying Dan Maes the support he's earned.

The leadership of our party needs to step up to the plate, and bring our candidate home.  Dan Maes made it to third base without much help from the media, or the leadership of the Colorado Republican party.  It wasn't always pretty, but Dan found a way, against all odds, to get the job done.  Did you notice how often people mentioned Scott McInnis by name, but referred to Dan Maes, not by his name, but only as the "other candidate for governor?"

I just registered http://DollarsForDan.com, and have it pointed to this post.  After you send $25.00 to Dan Maes, please Twitter, email, blog and promote DollarsForDan.com.  Convince your friends and neighbors that it's worth a few bucks to elect a conservative businessman to the Colorado Governor's office.

We are the Republican Party.  Let's get the ball rolling now, as individual Republicans and conservatives, by sending a few bucks to Dan Maes.  My wife and I just sent $50.00.  There are over a million registered Republicans in Colorado.  If one in ten gives Dan Maes $25.00, that will put over two million dollars into his bank account.  Is it worth the cost of a couple lunches to beat Bill Ritter's alter ego this November?  Hell yes!