Today the Colorado Democratic Party called on Bob Schaffer to tell Coloradans where he stands on airport operations and security.

Many Coloradans will be traveling over the holidays and want assurances that they will be safe. While the issue of air traffic safety is getting national attention, Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer has been silent on this, and many other issues. Almost 200 days after filing his candidacy, Schaffer has refused to state his views on any public issue.

Congressman Mark Udall recently called on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to make National Aviation Operations Monitoring Service (NAOMS) survey data public as soon as possible so the Federal Aviation Administration and the airlines can learn from any information it contains that could improve the safety of the flying public. Congresswoman Diana DeGette recently called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to add an additional 58 screeners to Denver International Airport in an effort to cut wait times and improve security.

Bob Schaffer has said and done nothing to make our flying public safer. In fact just two months after the 9/11 air attacks Bob Schaffer was one of only nine representatives to vote against the Post 9/11 Security Plan that called for 100 percent inspection of checked bags, more law enforcement officers at U.S. airports and the federal takeover of air security to make our travels safe. (Vote #448, 11/16/01; AP, 11/17/01; Knight Ridder, 11/17/01).

"Bob Schaffer has nothing to say because he is clearly ashamed of his own dismal record," said Democratic spokesman Matt Sugar. "Schaffer's vote against airport security in 2001 was so outside the mainstream of common sense that it must be a vote he wants to forget."

Sugar added, "Schaffer has refused to state his position on State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) as noted in the Denver Post ( http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_7208071), the Roan Plateau, Pinon Canyon, even the war in Iraq among others."

"The children's book cartoon character 'Where's Waldo' is easier to find than Bob Schaffer on the issues," said Sugar. "Is he continuing to hide behind the cover of the National Republican Senatorial Committee or the local Republican hatchet man?"