Schaffer Running for Senate
By SIConservative Posted in Archived — Comments (9) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
According to the Hill, former Rep. Bob Schaffer has decided to enter the race for the seat of retiring Sen. Wayne Allard. Schaffer gives Republicans a top-tier challenger for Rep. Mark Udall, the presumptive Democrat nominee, in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Wayne Allard. Schaffer’s recruitment was critical after former Rep. Scott McInnis opted out of the race.
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/former-rep.-schaffer-to-run-for-senate-...
Now, all eyes will turn to Attorney General John Suthers, who is rumored to also be considering a bid. While primaries can be helpful when they are fought between two candidates who are not known throughout the state, Republicans would do well to clear the field for Schaffer, who has run statewide before. Schaffer is a strong campaigner and could best unify social and economic conservatives. He has a record of cutting taxes, opposing abortion, and has been a vocal advocate of school choice.
Two of the critical elements of a campaign are fundraising and footsoldiers. The Club for Growth is excited about Schaffer’s candidacy, which will prove critical in closing the money gap with Udall. Schaffer also enjoys a very strong relationship with the pro-life community in Colorado. If that weren’t enough, Schaffer is also a member of the NRA, a critical constituency in Colorado.
In short, Schaffer will make a strong candidate statewide. It is critical that all Republicans unite behind his candidacy as quickly as possible and begin doing what we can to support his candidacy. There is exactly zero chance that we can retake the Senate in 2008 without holding this seat, and it would be exceedingly difficult down the line to take out a Sen. Udall. Bob Schaffer is a conservative in the mold of Sen. Tom Coburn, and it is critical not just for the GOP but also for the conservative agenda that he win election to the Senate next year.
Let's not get cute, folks. Republicans need to close ranks before AG John Suthers gets into the race. A primary against a conservative in a state that will be tough to hold anyway is the last thing we need while we're trying to recapture the Senate. Bob Schaffer made a great Congressman and will make a great Senator, if we can get him there.
Remember, Colorado has picked Republican presidential candidates since 1996.
Their governor may be a Dem. But he's a pro-life Dem.
Once Coloradans realize what Democrats want to do to their taxes, their families, and their children, they'll see the light and vote them out of power.
I'm very worried that we might not be able to keep it.
Our party here in Colorado tends to shoot itself in the foot. Rep. Bob Schaffer was my Congressman. Of course now I am in a blue district. He will make a great candite as the rest of you said. Our new AG is wonderful, but his race is not now!
KyleH is right about Boulder. When I went to school there I always thought of it as Berkley with mountains.
Keeping Allard's seat is key to winning back the Senate.
Oz
Signature disclaimer: I'm not currently paid by any campaign, but I am available. Current preferences for President: 1) F.Thompson; 2) Romney; 3) McCain; 4) Gingrich; Guiliani removed 04/03/07
He may need to play down his social conservatism and position as more socially libertarian. There is ample room to use libertarian language to push for what are traditionally considered socially conservative positions. I hope he will take that opportunity.
if I may make a suggestion though, which the mods have made especially regarding House races, I'd indicate we're talking about Colorado in the title
Good point. It's helpful if the title reads "CO-SEN: Put Your Title Here." That way the many people who don't know who Schaffer is will still be interested.
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Of the possible Democratic candidates, Udall is probably the weakest for Colorado. He comes from the most liberal congressional district. A friend once described Boulder as "somewhere between reality and the rockies." Salazar did not have that kind of baggage. Also, Udall is not Hispanic and so won't get as much of the favorite son support from that community. He will still probably win the majority of their vote, just not as much as Salazar. It is not a slam dunk for any Republican in the purple state of Colorado, but Udall is probably the best (worst?) we can hope for.