Bob "Shifty Schaeffer" hasn't been talking a lot. He hasn't been discussing his feelings on Pinon Canyon, the Roan Plataeu, or even his stance on SCHIP. Some would say that this is a smart strategy, however I disagree. How can he expect to win a senate race when he is almost totally invisible?
Hat tip to Colorado Pols and The Denver Post.
Colorado Democrats are putting the heat on GOP senatorial candidate Bob Schaffer in an effort to smoke out his positions on everything from drilling on the Roan Plateau to the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP.
But Schaffer isn't playing along.
The former Colorado congressman, a vice president at a Denver-based energy company, has remained quietly on the sidelines. He says he's in the early stages of his campaign and is spending time fundraising, talking to voters and working at his job.
"I am starting my campaign with my ears, not my mouth," Schaffer said Wednesday.
But with the U.S. House of Representatives set to vote today on whether to override President Bush's veto of expanded SCHIP coverage, Democrats say Schaffer should end his silence.
"If they override the veto, it could potentially then go to the Senate, and what would Bob Schaffer do if he was there?" said Matt Sugar, communication director for the state Democrats. "He's running a campaign and raising money but has failed to state a position on anything of importance to Colorado."
Schaffer, who voted for the creation of the children's health program in 1997, declined to say what he would do. Instead, he took a shot across the aisle.
"I would hope that the Democrats would be willing to abandon this partisan bickering and take advantage of a bipartisan solution that helps children in a fair way," he said.
Schaffer's Democratic opponent, Rep. Mark Udall, a five-term congressman from the 2nd District, is expected to vote in favor of overriding the president's veto. Udall also voted in favor of expanding the program.
http://www.denverpost.com/...
http://www.coloradopols.com/...
It also states from this article that a DU political Science professor named Seth Masket had stated that it is a politically wise move for Schaeffer, however, Schaeffer hasn't been so quiet on everything.
he issue of illegal immigration and how it is affecting the United States and Colorado alike was brought up by a number of citizens. Schaffer made it clear that something must be done to control our borders on both the north and south.
"I’m a law and order sort of person. If we’re going to have immigration laws and we’re going to have borders — which is part of the definition of a nation by the way — than they need to be enforced and they have to be secured."
Schaffer said there are a range of answers to controlling the border. Fences might work, he said, and so could increased manpower or remote surveillance.
"I’m for whatever it takes."
In combination with securing the borders, Schaffer said that laws need to be in place to make sure visas are not overstayed. Right now, the consequences for illegally crossing the border are not high enough, he said.
http://montrosepress.com/...
So, he feels the need to stay mum on SCHIP and the Roan Plateau, but not on Illegal Immigration. Now that's using your ears and not your mouth eh Bob? God if we don't win this race.