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Schaffer gracious in defeat

Mark Udall will make a 'great United States senator, and we owe him our support,' he says

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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A supporter hugs Bob Schaffer at Colorado Republican Party headquarters, where Schaffer gave a gracious concession speech, congratulating his opponent, Mark Udall.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

A supporter hugs Bob Schaffer at Colorado Republican Party headquarters, where Schaffer gave a gracious concession speech, congratulating his opponent, Mark Udall.

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Senate candidate Bob Schaffer, known for his occasional pettiness on the campaign trail, delivered a concession speech that will be remembered for its graciousness and get-up-and-go.

The former congressman first thanked his family for the sacrifices they have made before turning his attention to the victor, Democrat Mark Udall.

"He's going to make a great United States senator, and we owe him our support," Schaffer said. "We all need to stand behind him. The people of Colorado have clearly spoken."

Schaffer also reminded Republicans how far they have come since the last election, when they were in "disarray."

"Good campaigns don't end on Election Day, win or lose, if the ideas matter," he said. "For all of us who are activists in the room, there are 730 days until the next election.

"Our job in the meantime is to find new leaders."

Sean Duffy, a Republican political consultant who worked for former Gov. Bill Owens, called Schaffer's speech "outstanding."

"What struck me is that this is the Bob Schaffer that everybody knows," Duffy said. "He's just a great guy."

Duffy lamented Schaffer's loss but said it was an impossible year for Republicans. "Bob would be an incredibly good senator, but just not in this year," he said.

Schaffer praised Udall and his campaign staff, saying they ran a "great" and "strong" campaign.

"You know, democracy is a great tradition, a great American tradition. You think about how people choose their leaders around the world. We do it better here than anyone else on the planet," he said.

"I think it's our job as Coloradans to support Senator-elect Udall and stand behind him and help him fulfill all the promises that he's made for all us in Colorado," he added.

"Bob was a class act," Udall responded. "He called me, wished me well and called me his senator."

Udall inherits the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, a Loveland Republican, who is retiring.

"I like Mark Udall," Allard said. "We've worked with each other on legislation. I have no doubt that he will put in a lot of hard work."

Comments

  • November 5, 2008

    9:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    anderson writes:

    In his interview with a Channel 9 reporter last night, Schaffer was anything but gracious--getting irritable with the reporter's questions, blaming his loss wholly on the fundraising of Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer, and calling the Republican "the center" and claiming they lost to the "far left". I guess that means Colorado voters are either the far left or a bunch of dupes.