Adam Schrager reports at 9News that Josh Penry has been carrying on a number of high-level discussion with Scott McInnis and Tom Tancredo in an effort to defuse a potentially destructive gubernatorial battle.

Within the last few days, Penry has attended two meetings with McInnis and potential challenger Tom Tancredo as well as a meeting with Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams.

"I'm using the good will I accrued by dropping out of the race to be a diplomat," Penry told 9NEWS Monday by telephone. "Every one of these conversations has been positive and leaves me with the impression we have more in common than we don't."
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"I'm not going to tell Tom what he should or shouldn't do," Penry said. "I did suggest that we should engage Scott on his agenda and told Tom if he feels comfortable in that agenda, we can avoid the cost of a primary." Contacted by e-mail, Tancredo said he "completely agreed with Josh's characterizations of these discussions."

"It is important to know that, at least for me, the purpose of running for office is NOT the simple acquisition of that office," Tancredo wrote. "It is instead to advance a conservative agenda. If it takes raising and spending $3 million in a primary to do it - so be it. If, on the other hand, the goal can be accomplished in less expensive or less grueling ways, count me in. I have been surprised and heartened by the commonality of purpose I have observed to date. We shall see."

The three men met in person last Wednesday and spoke again by phone last night. The McInnis campaign confirmed the meetings with Tancredo, Wadhams and a host of state lawmakers who previously supported Penry and said the candidate would continue to reach out to Republicans throughout Colorado.

The ball is essentially in McInnis' court at this point. If he is successful in placating Josh Penry's major supporters the odds of a Tancredo candidacy greatly decreases. Penry is giving him a prime opportunity to repair some of the damage that was done by the premature leaking of the news that Penry was departing the race.