-
Statistics
Jul
14
Colorado Senate Race Debate: Shaffer v. Udall
July 14, 2008 | Tagged Bob Schaffer, Colorado Senate Race, Mark Udall, Second Amendment |
A debate took place today between former GOP Congressman Bob Schaffer and Democrat Congressman Mark Udall at the Wildlife Experience hall. I thought Schaffer did very well, especially when he read “anti-war” Udall’s own words in favor of going to war in Iraq. Schaffer also scored points when he noted that he had a numbered bill with Udall’s name on it, after Udall denied supporting a moratorium on energy exploration. (The Green Party Candidate watched the debate from the audience.)
The Second Amendment did not come up in the discussion. The questions, which had been submitted by citizens to Nine News in advance, revolved around taxes, the economy, gas prices, energy exploration, health care, and the war in Iraq.
Udall seems to be a recently “galvanized” supporter of the Second Amendment, having voted four times in the past to uphold the Washington D.C. gun ban recently struck down by the Heller Supreme Court decision. Crummy, Karen E., The Denver Post.
As of 12-31-03, Udall had an “F” Rating (the lowest possible) from the National Rifle Association. He voted “No” on a bill in 1999 to allow instant background checks at gun shows, as opposed to a 3-day waiting period for a background check. (Most gun shows run for two days. A 3-day waiting period forces the customer to go to a dealer’s store front or other location to pick up a firearm, mooting the purpose of coming to a gun show to purchase a firearm.)
Udall voted “No” on two versions of the Lawful Commerce in Arms Act in 2003 and 2005. This bill protects gun manufacturers from predatory lawsuits, in the event that a legally-sold gun is eventually used in a crime. (No other industry in America, besides tobacco, is subject to this kind discrimination. It would be ridiculous to sue an auto maker or a knife maker for the illegal use of their products.) ontheissues.org
While Bob Schaffer voted “No” on the 1999 gun show instant check bill, he did co-sponsor legislation to protect gun makers from unscrupulous legal action in 2001. He also co-sponsored legislation supporting an individual right to self-defense in 1999. ontheissues.org
In 2004, Schaffer had an “A” rating from the NRA, according to a story in the Colorado Springs Gazette
For my money, Schaffer is a better bet all around, especially on the Second Amendment.
Def Mech
Comments
1 Comment so far
Powered by FireStats
[...] chinmusic wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]