The Colorado Independent - Latest Comments in Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Wildflower — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:26:24 -0000

Big Bucks Perhaps, as mentioned, Schaffer doesn't have his own ideas and policies and has nothing to share? We haven't heard any of his ideas yet.

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.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Leslie Robinson — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:24:03 -0000

Me? Snarky? My friends Will Defend Your Opinion to the End If we don't make a mountain out of the Mountains, politicians will forget how important we are up here on the Western Slope.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

MissNewOrleans — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:11:27 -0000

Fair point and the threats to take transportation into a crisis so voters will stop acting so silly and short-sighted, that sounds out of the ordinary. Colorado has ALWAYS struggled with too many miles driven by too few drivers, it's a great starting point for the debate but it isn't the debate itself, it's the climate we've always lived in.

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.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Leslie Robinson — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:44:49 -0000

Thank you for your comments Yes, results about the transportation study have been out for a while. Yet, several months and tax proposals later, as discussed at Club 20, the issue has gone nowhere. The state's wheels are still stuck in a rut - I'm not sure what progressive spin to put on that. However, Russell George's comment about turning CDOT into a public utility is an idea that came from thinking outside the box.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

MissNewOrleans — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:58:17 -0000

In a bunch

The fact that no one else is pointing out his absence and the arrogance of it, even more reason to write about it.

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.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Sage Sam — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:33:51 -0000

Ouch It looks as if MissNewOrleans has her panties in a bunch...

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.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

MissNewOrleans — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:46:09 -0000

I stand corrected You posted that while I was writing my reply to the Schaffer scolding.

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.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Wendy Norris — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:33:27 -0000

Club 20 coverage You can read our latest story here (with more to come) at Solutions to State's Transportation Problems Going Nowhere. Our continuing coverage is posted under the tag Club 20.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

MissNewOrleans — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:28:24 -0000

What's progressive about Western Slope bigwigs gathering for a grin-and-grip? Shouldn't Schaffer be praised for skipping this obligatory snoozefest? If Udall skipped some big Chamber of Commerce event, wouldn't you mark that as a brave stand against special interests? I'm a solid Udall supporter, but the fact he cow-towed to this self-regarding remnant doesn't score any points with me.

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.

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

Wildflower — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:11:35 -0000

Big Bucks Politics It appears that Schaffer isn't interested in representing and meeting with anyone but the big bucks donors. Doesn't bode too well for the rest of us does it?

Re: Where’s Bob? U.S. Senate Candidate Schaffer a No-Show at Club 20

greenchiledem — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:54:51 -0000

Big no no.