Schaffer won’t Discuss Issues, so Democrats Launch www.BobSchafferOnTheIssues.com

Since launching his bid for the Senate, Bob Schaffer’s website has been missing one very noticeable component: an issues page. As the Denver Post reportedyesterday, Schaffer himself has completely avoided discussing issues on the campaign trail, but has instead “remained quietly on the sidelines.”

Today the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee launched a new web site, www.BobSchafferOnTheIssues.com, to let voters know where Schaffer stands on the most important matters facing the nation today. The new website exposes Schaffer’s positions on Iraq, stem cell research, education, social security, homeland security, crime, big oil and the environment – the positions he has tried to disguise in his campaign.

“Bob Schaffer knows Coloradoans don’t agree with his extreme positions, so he’s gone out of his way to avoid discussing them,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “Fortunately, Schaffer already has a long, detailed record that Coloradoans can examine. From supporting George Bush’s status quo in Iraq to letting oil companies drill in treasured national reserves, Bob Schaffer’s record is on the fringe of Colorado politics, and now voters can see that record for themselves.”

Schaffer is Too Extreme for Colorado.Schaffer has been described as a “favorite of Christian conservatives” and “an unapologetic conservative's conservative.” In the 2004 GOP Senate Primary, Republican Gov. Bill Owens endorsed Pete Coors over Schaffer “because the governor believed Schaffer was too conservative.” Meanwhile, Focus on the Family’s James Dobson endorsed Schaffer because of his “strong conservative” ties. [Hispanic, 9/30/04; Rocky Mountain News, 7/15/04; AP, 3/19/05; Dobson Press Release, 8/5/04]

Schaffer Supports Iraq War Even After Learning There Were No WMDs. In 2004, Schaffer, who voted for the 2002 authorization to go to war, said he still supported the war in Iraq and called the United States "far safer" with Saddam Hussein removed from power, even as revelations regarding faulty pre-war intelligence became clear. “I wish, in hindsight, the president would not have predicated the decision in Iraq so heavily on the presence of weapons of mass destruction,” Schaffer said. [ Fort Collins Coloradoan, 7/13/04; Denver Post, 10/8/02]

Schaffer Was In Extreme Minority Voting Against Post-9/11 Air Security Plan. After the 9/11 attacks, Schaffer was one of only nine Representatives to vote against the Aviation Security Act, which, among other things, called for 100% inspection of checked bags, more law enforcement officers at U.S. airports and a federal takeover of air security. [Vote #448, 11/16/01; AP, 11/17/01; Knight Ridder, 11/17/01]

Schaffer Backed Extreme Water Referendum That Was Overwhelmingly Defeated by Colorado Voters. In 2003, Schaffer backed Referendum A, a $2 billion water project measure that Colorado voters defeated in every single county and Western Slope voters slammed by a nearly 4-1 margin. Opponents called the bond proposal a “blank check” for projects that could damage the state’s environment and fuel runaway growth. [ Denver Post, 12/10/06; Denver Business Journal, 11/7/03; Rocky Mountain News, 11/5/03; Rocky Mountain News, 11/5/03; Denver Post, 10/19/03]

Schaffer Supported Bush’s Trip to University that Banned Interracial Dating, Saying “I Would Have Gone There.” Schaffer praised George Bush’s controversial 2000 visit to BobJonesUniversity, a school where interracial dating is forbidden and Catholicism has been compared to a cult in some school periodicals. “If I were running for president, I would have gone there,” Schaffer said. [States News Service, 2/29/00]