Gardner Is a Regular on Conservative Talk Shows But He’s Dodging the Public and Journalists

Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner is a regular on Colorado conservative talk radio shows, where the questions are typically friendly and warm. But, these days, don’t expect Gardner to talk to real journalists and the public, whose questions might put a chill in the conversation.

Gardner hasn’t had a town hall meeting in over a year and a half, but since Jan. 1, the Republican has appeared on 15 conservative talk radio shows, hosted by some of the most strident conservatives in Colorado politics.

And it appears that he’s been dodging reporters’ calls with more regularity. Here are a few examples from this year.

“His office declined to comment about whether his opposition would include efforts to overturn Trump’s authority,” June 6, 2019, the Colorado Springs Gazette.

“Gardner’s office declined an interview request from The Denver Post this week,” Denver Post, May 23, 2019.

“His office did not respond to a follow-up inquiry,” The Hill, May 3, 2019.

“Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), when approached, said he was late to a meeting and referred questions to his office. Aides to Gardner did not respond to a request for comment,” The Hill, May 16, 2019.

“Gardner’s campaign declined to comment.” Denver Post, April 15, 2019.

“…but his office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he will support Trump’s declaration.” Denver Post, April 22, 2019.

“Gardner’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment,” Yahoo Finance, March 25, 2019.

“Gardner did not respond to emails seeking comment,” ColoradoPolitics, March 12, 2019.

In contrast, local talk radio hosts mostly brag about Gardner’s accessibility. This year alone, these hosts have had one or more interviews with Gardner: KHOW’s Dan Caplis, KVOR’s Jeff Crank, KOA’s Mandy Connell, KHOW’s Ross Kaminsky, KNUS’ Jimmy Sengenberger, KNUS’ Craig Silverman, and KNUS’ Steffan Tubbs.

Gardner’s radio interviews last anywhere from five to fifteen minutes or more, so there’s theoretical space to challenge the senator on serious issues, but this rarely occurs.

But Gardner doesn’t appear on at least one conservative show that criticizes him, sometimes brutally: KNUS 710-AM’s Chuck and Julie Show, with Chuck Bonniwell and July Hayden.

This is not the first time Gardner has avoided town halls for an inexplicably long time.

Colorado’s junior senator went from the spring of 2016 until August of 2017 without holding a town hall, drawing sharp questions from reporters for dodging the public for so long.

During that period, like today, Gardner made himself available to talk radio hosts.