Barbs fly at Schaffer-Udall debate
By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 28, 2008 at 9:49 a.m.
Updated September 28, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.
Photo by Darin McGregor
Bob Schaffer, candidate for U.S. Senate, debates with opponent Mark Udall at Wildlife Experience in Parker on Sunday, July 13, 2008.
Photo by Darin McGregor
Mark Udall, candidate for U.S. Senate, debates with opponent Bob Schaffer at Wildlife Experience in Parker on Sunday, July 13, 2008.
Senate hopefuls Mark Udall and Bob Schaffer duked it out on Meet the Press Sunday as their supporters cheered them on at parties back in Colorado.
Schaffer, a Republican who once served in Congress, ripped Udall's voting record. Udall, a Democratic congressman, talked about failed GOP policies, including deregulation.
"For you to sit here and suggest that somehow you're immune from any of the criticism or any of the blame for the straits we find ourselves in is laughable," Udall said.
But Schaffer repeatedly pushed back at Udall.
"Mark, I've been out of Congress for six years. You've been there for 10. Tell us what you've done," Schaffer said.
"I was there during the times when we actually delivered on what we promised."
It was Meet the Press' first Senate debate without Tim Russert, who died in June, and moderator Tom Brokaw received mixed reviews.
Teacher Barbara Moore, of Denver, who watched the debate with Udall supporters at the Uptown Tavern, thought Brokaw should have stopped Schaffer from what she saw as "constant interruptions." But William Eigles, of Denver, who joined Schaffer supporters at the candidate's headquarters in Greenwood Village to watch the show, saw it differently.
"I was impressed that there was a genuinely free- wheeling debate independent of Tom Brokaw's mediation," he said. "I think viewers got real insight into the personalities, as well as the positions of the candidates."
But Schaffer supporters were clearly riled when Brokaw pointed out to Schaffer that, "It has been your party, in all fairness, that has been in charge for the most part of the last eight years, and it has run up record deficits of now $500 billion."
"I thought that was inappropriate," said Evelyn Spicer, of Castle Pines North, who was at the watching party. "If Mark can't defend himself, then he ought to get out of the race."
Brokaw's first question concerned the proposed economic bailout.
"There's nothing to like about the notion that there is a $700 billion fix needed with respect to a collapse on Wall Street," Schaffer said.
Udall said his constituents aren't happy either.
"People are mad," Udall said. "My calls are mixed, between people who say 'No' and people who say 'Hell no.'"
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September 28, 2008
10:19 a.m.
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EZBakeOven writes:
Schaffer was rude, obnoxious and came across as a bully on the show. He didn't show any courtesy in letting Udall finish speaking before he started his verbal vomiting. Schaffer just looked like a jerk.
September 28, 2008
10:33 a.m.
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RLaitres writes:
Yes, I saw the so-called debate. What was clearly in evidence was, as it was in this week's presidential debate, a 'tactic' and lack of courtesy on the part of both Republican candidates. And that was a total failure to listen to the opposing candidate, including interrupting when the other was speaking. If effective communication is 90% listening, and 10% speaking, then both Republicans fail in the basics of communication. Many less skilled in recognizing the difference between form and substance may be impressed with such 'bombastic shows', and consider the one with the most words as the winner. Many of us do not. We recognize it to be not only a revelation that the individual is most probably attempting to conceal a lack of understanding on issues or questions, but also displays a severe lack of courtesy and civility, neither one being at all impressive. Rather than being 'impressed' with such performances (as it is all 'show'), it also indicates that the one who engages in such behavior is not only not listening, he/she is not taking the 'listening' time to 'think'.
September 28, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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irisman writes:
Schaffer made a serious attempt to shout Udall down, just like Bill O'Reilly at his worst. The TV ads on both sides have been negative, especially the Republican ads portraying Udall as an agent of North Korea and Iran. I was hoping to receive some clarification from the candidates.
September 28, 2008
10:40 a.m.
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SheikYurBooty writes:
Now that Shaffer is clearly tanking, where should a loyol GOP-er focus his resources? No sense throwing good $$ after bad. Any help out there??? Anyone???
September 28, 2008
10:52 a.m.
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bronco writes:
What a di&Kh@#D. Reminded me of Dougy Bruce.
September 28, 2008
11:24 a.m.
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gary writes:
Udall said the slumping economy is the result of Republican leadership,
Well...not totally correct.
This 700 billion bail out was started a long time ago by the Dems and the Repubs let it continue.
Both parties loved to state "homeownership is at it's highest level ever".
Yes and what caused it was all of them letting the zero down, interest only, no qualifying, baloon payment, loans and every other kind you can think of given to individuals that were not qualified. The people defaulting on the loans should never have been given one in the first place.
Research the history of this..and you will have to point your finger at both parties. It is not a "Bush caused it" problem. It involved just as many Dems as Repubs.
Bail them out....NO!!
Nuff Said!
September 28, 2008
3:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
windbourne writes:
SheikYurBooty,
consider Mike Coffman. Decent man. I am not certain if he needs to money, but he is a pub, and not another neo-con.
September 28, 2008
4:26 p.m.
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SL10 writes:
Just another reason to vote Democrat. The GOP is despart to win at all cost. Schaffer is just a moron and needs to be defeated again like in 2004.
September 28, 2008
4:42 p.m.
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Wagthedog1001 writes:
Schaffer is a rude obnoxious loud schoolyard BULLY and Tom Brokaw isn't fit to monitor a dinner discussion much less a political debate. I just listened to the podcast of the "debate." I'm embarrassed to be from the same state as Congressman Schaffer. Who knows what either thinks. He dominated the whole time attacking Udall and Udall wasn't given a chance to break in thanks to Brokaw. What a joke that was.
September 28, 2008
5:33 p.m.
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dftoad writes:
Was that a deer looking into the headlights or was it Udall? I could not tell the difference!
September 28, 2008
5:39 p.m.
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SL10 writes:
Big D, you are correct and I feel sorry for Obama on having to clean up Bush's mess.
September 28, 2008
6:19 p.m.
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INC writes:
windbourne,
I could not disagree with you more, Coffman is currently the SOS ans the"wall" he has built beteen himself and his own running for congress. is thin... People are jumping ship. Due to "conflict of interest" issues. I suspect he wants to count his own ballots to king himself congressman. Hank Eng is coffmans Dem Opponent. I Hope Eng Confronts Coffman if/when the numbers do not add up.
Schaffer and Coffman are of the same stripe.
I feel Hank Eng is far better to represent CD-6.
September 28, 2008
7:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
mrtaco writes:
schaffer is DONE. face it, republicans, colorado is going to have a BLUE SWEEP this november.
September 28, 2008
7:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
2Disgusted writes:
Schaffer is on record wanting at least 6 changes to the US Constitution among those, teach evolution; ban gay marriage; make abortion illegal; mandatory group prayer in schools; balance budget amendment that would require 67 senators to pass an unbalanced budget--- just great; it takes 60 Senators to pass a budget now --- 7 more Senators get to load up the budget with earmarks. He does not represent Colorado traditional western voters. Udall is much closer to historical Colorado interests in personal liberty, environmental protection; water conservation; responsible natural resource development; developing high-paying jobs in technology and research; educating the next generation so they are prepared to lead and solve the future challenges.
September 28, 2008
7:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
rage_against_the_stupid writes:
Udall is a lap dog for Northeastern interests, he always has been. At least the younger Salazar has on occasion voted for his state. That will change-
Udall would like us to live on top of each other in New York style 500s.f. studios, take a dangerous bus ride to a do nothing government job, leave your one kid (no more) in a failed government school where failure is rewarded, and pay a 70-80% tax rate. He would like to destroy the middle class-- why, because they can't be socially engineered (the poor) or manipulated out of their money (the rich). Colorado is ground zero for this effort.
Coloradan's wake up!
September 28, 2008
7:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
galty writes:
Schaffer spanked Udall in this debate. that's why the dem operatives are spinning this so hard: they're scared to death of an independent conservative who isn't afraid to call Udall out.
September 28, 2008
8:21 p.m.
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farsidefan writes:
And the saddest part of all is that Schaeffer is on the State Board of Education. That would be the only reason to vote for him, to get him off of that board.
I have seen him in action first hand at board meetings. He is rude and an embarrassment to the GOP.
September 28, 2008
8:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
galty writes:
Udall's easy spending habits in DC are symptomatic of a problem that is the same in DC as on Wall Street: no fiscal discipline. Spending other people's money as if there was no end of it. EVERYONE has got to get their own house in order, and that includes Congress and DC.
September 28, 2008
8:44 p.m.
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mrtaco writes:
two words: blue sweep.
September 28, 2008
8:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
glowrock writes:
How could Udall even participate in the "debate" when Schaffer didn't let him get a word in edgewise? He didn't shut up for 30 seconds the entire time, and every time Udall even uttered a word he was shouted down. Brokaw did a terrible job at moderating, downright pathetic!
If this were a shouting match, Schaffer wins. Then again, this wasn't supposed to be a shouting match, it was supposed to be a civil discussion. This fact was obviously lost on Schaffer.
September 28, 2008
9:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
tibercio writes:
Schaffer made me wince, repeatedly. The words "boor" and "lout" come to mind, as do "inconsiderate" and "pathetic." It was a Bill O'Reilly-esque performance, really quite undignified -- this guy is running to be a U.S. Senator, not an AM radio talk show host. Please, fellow Coloradans, don't embarrass ourselves by voting for Schaffer!
A distant second was Brokaw, who did a piss-poor job of moderating the debate. I think Brokaw is moderating one of the prez debates, and all I have to say to that is "yikes!"
September 28, 2008
9:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
LiliAnne writes:
How embarrassing for Colorado citizens. Schaffer went from impolite to rude to being a verbal bully. That demeanor will not solve our state's or our nation's problems. And Schaffer's smirking...did he think that was Senatorial?
September 28, 2008
9:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
joggle writes:
Schaffer was ridiculous, ignoring both his opponent and the moderator. What an @ss.
A crucial element of a debate is to split the time evenly. Schaffer completely ignored that cardinal rule, talking over Udall and the moderator relentlessly. This isn't an argument at a bar, jerk.
September 28, 2008
10:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
chickenlittle1234 writes:
I feel sorry for the true blue Republicans who feel obligated to support Schaffer. I really do, because I've been in their position, trying to defend a candidate who my own party didn't even like, and who, on top of everything else, is running in a year when the opposing party is ascendant. If you all were really humane, you'd ask your candidate to be seen in public kicking a dog, thus putting a swift and merciful end to the farce.
September 28, 2008
10:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
EZBakeOven writes:
lol, chickenlittle, that's good stuff :)
September 28, 2008
10:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Marmot writes:
Schaffer was pathetic. An absolute jack-a$%. As an independent minded Coloradan I am ashamed to have him in front of a national television audience. To the rest of the nation: No, folks, this is not the sort of person we call a "Coloradan" out here in the West. And Mark, good job keeping your temper when I am certain you'd have liked to just deck Schaffer on the spot. I wasn't going to support either candidate in this race, but that interview just got me to pull out the wallet to send some cash Udall's way to try to make sure that Schaffer NEVER represents the people of our state ANYWHERE. I'm fuming. WHAT a LOSER.
September 28, 2008
10:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Jonah writes:
I would be shamefully embarrassed if Bob Schaffer were to become Colorado's senator. The people of Colorado deserve better than a rude, berating, mouthpiece for the oil companies. I also agree with farsidefan that it is sad that he is currently on the State Board of Education which he uses as a platform to attack public schools and teachers.
One more thing...watch the video from Meet the Press. Does Schaffer seem a little "mental" to you???
September 29, 2008
5:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Treehugger53 writes:
It's a year for BLUE states, and after the election the republicans will be "singin' the blues".
The main reason to vote against McCain is his policies are mostly a clone of Bush's, but there are other reasons, such as:
John McCain has been diagnosed with melanoma (the DEADLIEST form of skin cancer) FOUR TIMES. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 66% chance of recurrence of melanoma within 10 years, and for John McCain SIX OF THOSE YEARS HAVE ALREADYpassed! Does anyone seriously think that Sarah Palin could effectively step into the Presidency if something happened to McCain? She can preside over the Senate and looked bored with the best of them, but to actually make Oval Office level decisions is out of her depth.
September 29, 2008
5:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
bwforaccuracy writes:
Just watched the debate. Mark Udall's lack of knowledge was apparent. Speaking in platitudes without specifics will not provide leadership in the Senate. How could Mark not speak to any accomplishments beyond saying he supports green energy. A trust fund baby who got into politics with Daddy's money and name is only going to continue the same problems. Schaffer was aggressive, I sure wish he would have still been in office the last six years. Maybe the situation would not have gotten so bad that banks are not willing to lend anymore.
It reminds me of how Mike Coffman was speaking out five years ago as Secretary of Treasury about the State of Colorado train-wreck that was coming because of the conflicting goals of different ammendments like TABOR and the K-12 Education funding increases. We need smart independent leaders like Schaffer and Coffman