This was supposed to be a midterm year in which Republicans could make some hay at the polls.

    In Colorado, that may not be the case – at least in the race for governor.

    Scott McInnis, thought to be the frontrunner among the pack, is stumbling toward the primary election thanks to a couple of plagiarism allegations. Some media reports say the allegations are so serious, the Republican Party will try to cut him off from funding after next month’s primary.

    McInnis admitted to a mistake in one of the plagiarism issues he has to confront – a first since the story began. But he also was as defiant as ever. He told the Brighton Patriots he has no plans to bow out of the race, even though others in his party and his hometown newspaper suggested he should.

    That, plus the legal problems of Don Maes (his issue is campaign law violations) was enough to bring former Rep. Tom Tancredo off the sidelines and into the race as a member of the American Constitution Party.

    To some, that may be a noble gesture. To some, it may be a demonstration of Tancredo’s ego. McInnis said of the new candidate, “Well, that’s Tom.” To others, including members of the Tea Party, it’s a sell-out to the GOP when it desperately could use a unified voice.

    During his speech Monday night, McInnis said he was confident the Republicans would find that one voice before the November election. But a smart politician should know that Tancredo would take votes away from whoever wins the Aug. 10 GOP primary. That can’t help the Republicans’ cause at all.

    John Hickenlooper, the Democratic candidate for governor, stayed as close to message as he could during a campaign visit to Brighton Friday morning. Little wonder. He would seem to have himself a new job come November.

    Provided he doesn’t put his feet in his mouth.