-
Website
http://coloradoindependent.com -
Original page
http://www.coloradoindependent.com/3519/wheres-bob-us-senate-candidate-schaffer-a-no-show-at-club-20/ -
Subscribe
All Comments -
Community
-
-
Top Commenters
-
Popular Threads
- John Andrews’ strange, clueless ‘Coloradan of the Year’ column
- Report of ‘secret’ immigration detention centers raises rights concerns
- Stimulus funds aimed at rural areas dumped into metro regions
- Freshman Year, the gay marriage episode: Polis versus Chaffetz
- The pro-government anti-capitalist anti-American worldwide science hoax
And besides, if the Club 20 meeting was such a big deal, how come Colorado Confidential didn't cover it? What "other commitments" were so important that a progressive news site would pass on the opportunity to exchange ideas with Western Slope lawmakers (or report on the exchange)? What statewide news outlet would want to miss talking to locals about their concerns and reporting speeches about "political policies" (if that's not redundant)? And what serious media outlet would ignore a chance to interview all the assembled hobnobbers?
... unless the only newsworthy thing about the event was Schaffer skipping it, in which case it doesn't sound like he missed much.
But seriously, Russ George summarizes what's in the blue ribbon report, which amounts to "people don't want to pay for roads but you have to pay for roads," this is news? The commission report has been out for a while and has been covered thoroughly in the mainstream media.
As far as I can tell, your "report" adds nothing to the discussion, and certainly nothing I'm looking for on a progressive web site. (This happened almost two full days ago and it's just showing up now? Is your Western Slope bureau using a bad dial-up connection?)
Except maybe it's noteworthy that George drives 400 miles roundtrip every week, but your reporter seems to think this gives him expertise on the roads rather than making him look like a foolish gas-guzzler.
I believe that Leslie brought up a very valid point regarding Schaffer. When DIANA DEGETTE shows up on the West Slope and the GOP candidate for Senate doesn't, that is newsworthy. The fact that no one else is pointing out his absence and the arrogance of it, even more reason to write about it.
Rep. Udall came out and did an overflight of destruction wrought by rampant oil and gas development and then proceeded to meet with sportsmen for nearly two hours, listening to their concerns and showing himself to be a true conservationist and someone who wants to truly represent West Slopers interests.
Bob? To my knowledge he hasn't even shown up once on the West Slope since he announced his candidacy. If Schaffer and Wadhams think that they are going to have a cake-walk over here they have another thing coming.
Since the quotes were from Grand Junction Sentinel posts, I don't think that's accurate.
Sure, it's sort of interesting that all these electeds show up and a candidate doesn't, but it's hardly the "gotcha" the story contends. These stodgy civic forums are one way to meet voters but they're not the be-all-and-end-all the story suggests. If Schaffer hasn't set foot on the Western Slope, then let's hear about that. Instead we get headline news about skipping a forum that's probably worth skipping and a snarky comparison to an upcoming fundraiser. It's a mountain out of a molehill.
How about a TRex for the rest of the state, or asking voters to peg state gas tax to gas prices instead of per gallon, or asking some of all those federal officeholders at the event when the state gets enough money for roads? Chris Romer can't be the only one in Colorado asking hard questions about roads.
One cannot help but contrast Schaffer's lack of meeting the people on the west slope to our congenial Gov. Ritter's campaign, going all over the state to meet the people in rural areas,etc... people who wouldn't have otherwise known who he was. And they didn't have to pay $5,000 per head for the privilege.
Since Schaffer will meet with Dick Cheney on the West Slope, can big oil bucks be far behind? Guess Schaffer needs a little greasing before he can talk.