It will start as one of 2008’s most closely watched U.S. Senate races, cast as left versus right in a state where the middle makes all the difference.
Mark Udall versus Bob Schaffer. Finally, Colorado Republicans have a candidate.
The Democrats have had a pretty good idea who their candidate would be since 2005, when Udall announced his intentions. Republicans have been mostly without a standard-bearer since Sen. Wayne Allard announced his retirement in January. (We say “mostly” because former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis jumped in and out of the race earlier this year faster than you could say “lingering ethics issues.”)
Schaffer is hardly a consensus favorite of Colorado Republicans. He lost his party’s 2004 Senate nomination when GOP leaders went out looking for a more viable alternative. They came up with better-known but totally inexperienced Pete Coors, who nonetheless walloped Schaffer in the primary.
Schaffer, the former 4th District congressman, announced his 2008 candidacy in quiet fashion at a number of Lincoln Day dinners. He’ll likely have the field to himself – especially since many Republicans think 2008 will be another bruising year at the polls. Few loyalists believe a costly primary would promote GOP interests.
Udall and Schaffer contrast sharply on the issues: Schaffer was a strong supporter of the Iraq war, while Udall was opposed. They split on a broad range of social issues, too. Schaffer is opposes abortion; Udall is rated 100 percent by the National Abortion Rights Action League. Schaffer has opposed the destruction of living embryos for stem-cell research while Udall has voted to expand it.
Udall has begun tacking toward the political middle, where elections are often won in Colorado. Despite receiving failing grades from the National Rifle Association, and top ratings from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, he quickly issued a statement after the Virginia Tech shootings saying more gun control wasn’t the answer.
Schaffer might be no more conservative than Wayne Allard, but unlike Allard – known as a “country veterinarian” – Schaffer is known to friends and foes alike as a “firebrand.” It’s easy to imagine a strategist trying to soften his edges, but Schaffer might not want to hear it.
Given Colorado’s recent political history, and the excruciatingly close nature of the Senate’s partisan split, the Udall-Schaffer race is sure to capture a spotlight. Indeed, as of now Allard’s is the only open seat in the 2008 Senate lineup. We expect the race to be enlightening and engaging, knowing that both Udall and Schaffer are intelligent men dedicated to public service.
