DUCK & DODGE: With Coloradans Voting, Gardner Refuses to Meet With Editorial Boards Or Answer Reporter Questions

Denver Post Reporter: “Cory Gardner made a rare public appearance a bit ago...Gardner declined to take any questions from press after the event”

Denver, CO - Today, Senator Cory Gardner refused to answer questions from the press at a “rare public appearance,” a common theme throughout Gardner’s career, even in the home-stretch of an uphill campaign. In just the past few weeks, “No Comment Cory” has avoided owning up to his failing record and has refused to meet with news outlets and editorial boards across the state — including Colorado Public Radio and editorial boards with the Denver Post, Vail Daily, and Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, two of which had endorsed his 2014 campaign. 

Gardner was also the lone Senator to refuse to hold a media availability as he met with President Trump’s anti-ACA and anti-choice SCOTUS nominee late last month.

Gardner’s avoidance of the press comes to no surprise to Coloradans, as he has avoided public events for years, including refusing to host an in-person town hall for more than three years which prompted Coloradans to create “Cardboard Cory” to replace our absent senator.

Here’s what Coloradans are reading about Gardner’s refusal to speak with reporters in the final stretch of the campaign:

Denver Post Editorial Board: “U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner is excellent at playing the political game, but he has proven to have terrible judgment and communicate poorly with his constituents. Gardner declined to meet with The Denver Post editorial board for our endorsement process.”

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Editorial Board: “We can’t say we were surprised that Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner declined to meet with the Sentinel’s editorial board because it’s part of a pattern… But Gardner’s unwillingness to answer tough questions leaves us empty and disturbed.”

Vail Daily Editorial Board: Gardner “turn[ed] down repeated requests for an interview with the Vail Daily. That’s not shocking, considering Gardner has earned a reputation for not bothering to hold town halls to hear from his constituents, instead opting for private events with hand-picked guests.”

CPR’s Ryan Warner: “Hickenlooper's Republican opponent, incumbent @CoryGardner, declined our request for an in-depth interview.”

Denver Post’s Alex Burness: “Cory Gardner made a rare public appearance a bit ago… Gardner declined to take any questions from press after the event.”