The half-hour gubernatorial debate at the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry’s annual luncheon this week felt a little bit like speed dating. For those expecting a pair of fatigued boxers emerging from their corners for a late round exchange of body blows and clinches against the ropes, both candidates’ crisp, quick responses had to come as something of a surprise. A lengthy tennis match may better describe these Colorado combatants. Entering their fifth and final set, with Election Day fast approaching, Bob Beauprez and John Hickenlooper now anticipate eachother’s shots. Moderator Shaun Boyd of Channel 4 reminded her audience that the CACI debate would serve as a warm-up for a televised contest scheduled the following night.

Beauprez, who stood alone on stage for several minutes as the Governor was escorted through the maze of tables at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, offered the first opening statement. Amped up and doubling down on his typically high-energy debate style, the challenger recounted his frequently expressed faith in “how special a place this is. How fortunate we are to live in Colorado,” pointing out that he and his family have been blessed to take advantage of the opportunities that Colorado has offered. Yet, he then cautioned that when speaking with voters, they report that although, “…things are good — after all we are in Colorado — they aren’t as good as they should be.” Too many Coloradans he reported feel “…that knot of anxiety tied up in your stomach,” a theme he would return to during his closing. He pointed directly to over-regulation as the primary cause of this anxiety, a case of, “…government getting in the way. Not a government of, by and for the people, but of government on the people.”

The Governor opened with a retelling of the now familiar story of his being laid off as an oil field geologist, who then found business success as a microbrewer. He then struck the notes that have echoed regularly through his re-election campaign. “We inherited a billion dollar deficit four years ago, and have grown our reserve fund to better than $2 billion today without raising taxes. We’ve moved from 40th to 4th in job creation and Colorado now enjoys the number one fastest growing economy in the country,” he highlighted in defense of his Capitol stewardship. He also pointed out that all this was accomplished despite a record setting string of natural disasters. Adopting a low-key, laid-back style that sharply contrasted with his opponent’s aggressiveness, he reminded the businessmen and women in attendance that, “I didn’t run for political office until I was 50 years old. I was running a business, just like you are.”

Because of the tight timeline, Boyd only got three questions in before closing statements. Her first dealt with fracking and was directed at the Governor. “If your blue ribbon commission fails to reach agreement on recommendations to the Legislature, what will you do?” Anticipating Beauprez’ criticism, Hickenlooper declared, “We are not just kicking the can down the road. We are trying to balance self-interests and create a national model in the process.” Explaining that both mineral rights owners and surface landholders need solutions that will protect their separate and competing interests, he indicated he had “…every confidence (the commission) will get to a compromise.” If they were to fail, however, he pledged that, “I will go to the Legislature next year to reach an agreement.” The Governor emphasized that allowing the pro- and anti-fracking measures to appear on this year’s ballot would have entailed drastic economic consequences for Colorado. “No one knows how that would have turned out, whatever they tell you,” he concluded.

Beauprez responded with a direct attack on Gwen Lachelt, the La Plata county commissioner appointed as co-chair of the Commission. “Your co-chair is committed to banning fracking. Let’s be honest, she represents a radical environmental constituency,” he charged. The challenger then confirmed his intention to dissolve the commission, if elected, and added, “These people will be back whatever happens. Polis will be back.” For that reason he would have preferred to see the ballot questions go to voters where he believes they would have been defeated. “Uncertainty stifles jobs and economic activity, chasing energy development out of state,” he claimed. Pointing out that drilling is cheaper, safer and more efficient than at any other time in out history, Beauprez said we should be encouraging, not discouraging exploration.

In rebuttal, the Governor agreed that, “Yes, it is cleaner and safer than ever before, but how did it get that way?” He pointed to the joint task forces, including environmentalists and energy companies, which were convened by his administration. “They provided the opportunity to find common ground,” he said. Beauprez responded by asking, “So this is the last time we will have to compromise with Jared Polis? Let’s be honest, this was about political insulation for Mark Udall and John Hickenlooper. It was about their re-election.”

The next question, as suited for a business audience, asked whether the candidates would support a legislative mandate for sick day coverage, including the creation of loan banks where employees can transfer unused sick days for other employees. Beauprez indicated he would veto any bill that includes “…threats to economic opportunity.” He then contended that Colorado’s labor participation rate lags behind that of several neighboring states. “That means opportunity is going somewhere else,” he argued.

Hickenlooper responded by explaining he has consistently opposed unfunded mandates on businesses, including public opposition to a mandatory sick leave initiative that made it to the ballot while he was mayor of Denver. He then defended his economic record by contrasting Colorado’s job creation record with Utah’s. “Recently Utah has experienced an in-migration of just 3,500 residents a year, while Colorado has been welcoming 35,000 each year since the recession. People are moving here because we’ve created more than 200,000 jobs,” he explained.

Beauprez replied, “Look closely at the numbers — we’re not creating jobs fast enough.”

Hickenlooper evidenced an uncharacteristic flash of anger, bristling at Beauprez’ derogatory application of “Obamalooper” to describe the state’s economy. The Governor pointed out that it was petty to make fun of someone’s name, and asked, “What’s next, Poopenscooper?”

The final question was a more general reframing of the previous inquiry, asking where the candidates stood on other regulatory mandates on employers. An “in the weeds” back-and-forth about HB 1136, the 2013 “Job Protection and Civil Rights Enforcement Act” ensued. Beauprez identified it as a political surrender, perhaps a favor, to trial lawyers while the Governor defended it as a carefully capped extension of anti-discrimination protections. “Colorado was among the last of three states to incorporate these provisions into its state laws,” he declared. “We should never want to be one of just two or three states that haven’t modernized their statutes.” Beauprez replied by charging that, “You should not start by wanting to sign legislation.” He singled out former Republican Bill Owens who vetoed 41 bills when his fellow Republicans held majorities in both Houses. In the 2013 session, Hickenlooper did not veto a single bill.

In their closing statements, Beauprez posed the question, “Do you believe and trust in people or in government? Should government restrict, regulate and restrain our imaginations?” He promised to, “…defend your freedoms. I don’t want to mess in your business.”

Hickenlooper returned to what has become the primary theme for him during the closing days of this campaign: “Colorado has always been defined more by its future than its past. We have succeeded by working together, through collaboration. Picking fights is not the Colorado way, but the Washington way.” As voters make their choice for Governor, this pair is appealing to disparate viewpoints — one claims our glass if half full, the other says half empty.

— mnhwriter@msn.com