Former Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., seemed like a shoo-in for governor until it was alleged, credibly, that he plagiarized a paper for which he was paid a whole ton of money.

Last night, McInnis lost his primary to a little-known businessman named Dan Maes. This is being billed as a Tea Party victory, but I suspect it has a lot more to do with McInnis’ implosion than it does with Maes’ comparative ideological beliefs.

Republicans face a very grim picture in November. With former Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., running for governor as an independent, the split on the Right seems almost certain to make Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, D, the next governor of the state, even if he can only manage to win a plurality.

Beltway Confidentialcoelection 2010US