Think Udall- Schaffer ads can get any uglier? Just wait . . .
By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Mark Udall
Bob Schaffer
It's only August and already the airwaves are filled with attack ads that blast Republican Bob Schaffer and Democrat Mark Udall.
But wait! There's more!
A new ad in the U.S. Senate race that debuted Monday criticizes Udall for missing the initial adjournment vote in Congress last month.
A commercial that will be unveiled this week blasts Schaffer's record on the war in Iraq.
Udall is taking most of the hits right now, on topics ranging from labor unions to high gas prices. And that's just fine, Schaffer's campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, says.
"They're all good ads. They're a fair and objective portrayal of the issues," Wadhams said, with a laugh.
But Wadhams wasn't laughing earlier this year when Schaffer was the target of outside ads. He angrily ripped the League of Conservation Voters, which paid for the ad, as a "front group" for Udall.
Colorado's Senate contest is one of the most closely watched races in the nation. Udall and Schaffer's mugs are expected to be everywhere on TV before the Nov. 4 election.
"I see nuclear winter coming in terms of the negativity of this campaign," pollster Lori Weigel of Denver said.
Udall has been taking the brunt in recent weeks.
"The Republicans and big- money groups know that Mark Udall is the best candidate in this race and they think the only way they can beat him is to be dishonest about his record," said Udall campaign spokeswoman Tara Trujillo.
"These outside groups know that Mark will always stand up for the people and not the special-interest groups."
In one commercial, a narrator accuses Udall of voting to "waste our money on the ballet in New York City, a park in San Francisco, a lobster institute in Maine."
The ad doesn't mention that Republicans and Democrats voted for appropriation bills that contained earmarks for those projects.
The ad also doesn't mention who financed it: Texan Bob Perry. He was the chief financial backer of the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which was accused in 2004 of running misleading spots attacking Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
Udall, of Eldorado Springs, and Schaffer, of Fort Collins, are vying for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland.
Post your comment
Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
Featured
-
Legislature Blog
Read live updates from the opening of the 2009 legislative session.
-
Rocky multimedia
The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.
-
Who's next?
Complete coverage of the Broncos' search for a new coach.
-
Rocky year in photos
View an audio slide show of staff selections from 2008.
-
Winter Escapes
Your insider’s guide to the copious joys of the coolest season.
-
Sam Adams' Open Mic
Open Mic: Two-man advantage with Avs
-
Shanahan's career
See photos from Mike Shanahan's career as Broncos coach.
-
12 days of Drew
Look back at the year that has been with Drew Litton.
-
A dream fulfilled
A Rocky Mountain News and MediaStorm production
August 19, 2008
10:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
cathy.hall writes:
It is a shame to see it go this way, but the fact that you are running a true conservative vs. a true liberal is ripe for media to show their differences. Some of the ads that make the most sense, though, are the labor ones about the Employee Free Choice Act. This is the one that takes away the private ballot vote from Union workers. Win, lose, or draw, Mark Udall must know that this bill is absurd and unfair. If he continues to support it, he not only highlights that he is beholden to unions and big labor, but he continues to support this power grab despite the fact that the people of Colorado aren't in favor of rapidly increased unionization and escalated union intimidation activities. Say NO to EFCA, Mark Udall! Don't live up to the Boulder Liberal label.
August 19, 2008
2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
Cathy.Hall---These aren't bad ads. Never believe a media characterization of anything. These ads inform where reporters are failing.
In the last election, Lynn Bartels was an advocate for Democratic state senate candidate, Paula Noonan. Her Republican opponent Mike Kopp received no positive press and depended strictly on word of mouth. The coverage of this race is shaping up similarly, best angles on Democrat Udall, worst on Republican Schaffer. Even the photos are unfair. Udall always resembles King Arthur and Schaffer, a Croation wrestler. Democrats get free positive publicity. Republicans have to buy theirs.
And unfortunately, many of your gender will vote for Udall because he's so cute. And he lives on top of a rich coal seam in a Hippie community called Eldorado Springs.
August 19, 2008
2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
Here's a link to a much more representative photo of Bob Schaffer:
http://home.comcast.net/~jackott2/Bob...