One of the things that have confused us for a while at the Inside Edge is why Colorado Senator Ted Harvey would think he could buck the prime sponsor of his political career, former US Senator Bill Armstrong and run against Armstrong’s son Wil in the 6th CD race.

But we are rapidly becoming unconfused and the race is starting to make a lot of sense to us.

The Inside Edge has been hearing, increasingly, that Harvey’s challenge in the 6th CD is nothing more than stalking horse campaign meant to target Mike Coffman for the benefit of Wil Armstrong.

Harvey himself may not even be aware that he is being used in this way. But it seems to us a fairly plausible and an extremely reasonable explanation of the mixed motives, ambitions and desires of a number of principals in the 6th race.

“There is a strong possibility that Jon Hotaling [Harvey’s campaign manager] is only with Harvey so he can beat up on Coffman,” says one 6th CD delegate, explaining that once that mission is accomplished Hotaling will make tracks back to Congressman Doug Lamborn’s campaign down in the 5th CD so he can throw mud there.

The Inside Edge has been hearing this explanation from multiple sources lately.

In the meantime Hotaling’s presence will allow Wil Armstrong to take the high road, while the Harvey campaign throws mud at Coffman.   

This would explain two key things that have confused some observers of the race.

Firstly, it would explain why Hotaling would, like Harvey, also risk the wrath of Senator Armstrong, who is the first and best financial sponsor of conservative causes in Colorado.

Without at least Armstrong’s tacit approval, organizations like the Colorado Christian Coalition, on which the Hotaling strategy depends, would have a difficult time raising money here.

It would also explain why Hotaling would nail his flag to the mast of a politician that hasn’t been able to raise very much money. Harvey has not been able to keep up with Coffman and Armstrong, so far, only raising about $35,000 for his 6th CD campaign as of the last filing date to the $200,000 plus Mike and Wil have raised.

Since Hotaling gets paid to run campaigns, it’s probably an important detail to him whether someone can or can’t raise money.

Unless of course someone else can pay him later for the hamburger he delivers today.  

We’re not saying that we’re 100% sure that there has been a vast right-wing conspiracy on this with meetings and plans and collaboration between Armstrong and Hotaling. But we’re pretty sure that the practical effect will be the same.                   

And that’s not a wimpy strategy at all.