DENVER DAILY NEWS

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes said in a radio interview that he believes Democrat John Hickenlooper would be better for the economic health of the state than third party candidate Tom Tancredo.

Maes made the comment on the Cari and Robb Show, a talk radio show “for independent Americans.”

“I would say that John absolutely brings that kind of moderate business acumen and business experience that Republicans in Denver proper really like,” said Maes of Hickenlooper. “We’ve seen several major Republican businessmen back John Hickenlooper, so I would absolutely trust the mayor when it comes to the economic health of our state and the business community more so than I would Tom.”

The comment surprised conservative blogs because Maes and Tancredo are the two conservatives in the race, while Hickenlooper is liberal. Tancredo, a former Republican congressman, joined the race because he didn’t believe Maes had a chance to win in a general election against Hickenlooper.

Maes and Tancredo met at a park bench last week to discuss the race, but neither decided to drop out. The latest Rasmussen telephone survey found that Tancredo earns 35 percent of the vote while Maes trails with 16 percent. Hickenlooper is still ahead with 43 percent.