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Blog says U.S. Senate race leaning Democratic

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 22, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.
Updated July 22, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.

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A well-known political blog has changed the rating of Colorado's open U.S. Senate race from "No clear favorite" to "Leans Democratic."

The blog, CQ Politics, now considers Democrat Mark Udall "a narrow front-runner in a highly competitive race that had been previously classified as a toss-up."

Udall faces Republican Bob Schaffer, whose campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, gave a so-what to the latest news.

"Ask President John Kerry and the United States senator, Tom Strickland, what early polls and prognostications have been like," Wadhams said.

Strickland, a Democrat, lost the 1996 and 2002 U.S. Senate races to Republican Wayne Allard.

Wadhams also pointed out that the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey, released Tuesday, showed that Udall's lead over Schaffer had slipped. The survey showed Udall up 47 percent to 43 percent this month, while last month Udall enjoyed a nine-point lead.

Schaffer is a former congressman from Fort Collins. Udall, of Eldorado Springs, is serving his fifth term in Congress.

CQ Politics wrote that its rating change was based on several factors, including recent polls that show Udall ahead and a national climate that favors Democrats over Republicans.

Udall's campaign spokeswoman, Tara Trujillo, also credited the differences between the two candidates. She said Udall had worked to make Colorado the "nation's leader in renewable energy development." Schaffer, she said, has worked for the oil and gas industry.

Comments

  • July 22, 2008

    3:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    yes, gene, because the oil men in washington have done such a good job thus far...

  • July 22, 2008

    3:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cowboy63 writes:

    Well, if Udall is as productive as his senate leader Harry Ried has been - we can expect 9% congressional approval ratings for a long time coming.

  • July 22, 2008

    3:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MisterD writes:

    Gene,
    The article said renewable energy

  • July 22, 2008

    4:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bluffan writes:

    CQ Politics is by no means the final authority, but my guess is that Obama is going to have LONG COATTAILS here in Colorado. Regardless of the issues, I'd give Schaffer no more than a 30% chance of pulling off a win here.

  • July 22, 2008

    4:18 p.m.

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    DougH writes:

    The man show brought the most unforgettable Senator to ever come from Colorado says "Ask President John Kerry and the United States senator, Tom Strickland, what early polls and prognostications have been like,"
    I am sure Wadhams has some more cute tricks for Udall. How about some good old push- polling, or swift boating to get the action going for Schaffer.

    Wadham’s has learned from the king of back door politics and so far his guys have done nothing more than screw up the rest of the country for a long time. Wayne Allard , the fifth worst Senator in Congress and the possibly worst President we have ever had were both products of the D.Wadham / Karl Rove Politics without Principle that has corrupted the country.

  • July 22, 2008

    6:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    sawzallartist writes:

    Gene said:

    "Therefore, Schaffer, who "has worked for the oil and gas industry," would seem to be the ideal one to work on energy development. Right? Gets my vote."

    That is like relying on McDonalds to lose weight.

    Going to the pusher to get off the rock.

    Coors to sober up.

    The metaphors are endless

    Dumbas........s