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  Home Page » News » Duo Speeds Over Ballot

Duo speeds over ballot

Schaffer, Udall face debate of 1-word answers

by Joe Hanel
Herald Denver Bureau DENVER - Bob Schaffer and Mark Udall faced a new challenge Monday night - one-word answers.

In a debate televised live in Denver, the two major U.S. Senate candidates endured two "lightning rounds" crafted by 9News moderators Adam Schrager and Adele Arakawa.

The first round asked the candidates how they will vote on some of the measures on the ballot. Schaffer said he would vote for Amendment 46 (a ban on affirmative action) and 47 (a ban on mandatory union dues) and against Amendment 48 (defining life at the moment of conception), Amendment 50 (higher gambling bet limits) Amendment 51 (sales tax for developmental disabilities) and Amendment 52 (severance tax for highways).

Udall said he would vote no on all of those except for the betting limits question.

The next lightning round focused on hot-button issues.

Both candidates said they support nuclear power and could support building a reactor in Colorado.

Schaffer supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Udall doesn't.

Schaffer would support a constitutional amendment so states wouldn't have to recognize a gay marriage performed in another state; Udall wouldn't.

Udall opposes President Bush's veto of a stem-cell research bill; Schaffer supports it.

Asked if they would change their vote on going to war in Iraq, Udall said no. He voted against the resolution. Schaffer, who voted for it, would not say "yes" or "no."

"We made the best decision we could on a bipartisan basis, and we're not going to look back," Schaffer said.

Moderators asked some light-hearted questions, too. What was their favorite moment on the campaign trail? Udall has "eaten a lot of green chile burritos."

Favorite Colorado activity? Schaffer skis, and recently he's gotten "pretty good" at snowboarding.

And regrets? They've had a few.

Udall was arrested for marijuana possession 35 years ago, and he hopes his kids are smarter than he was at that age.

Schaffer said he's made plenty of mistakes, too, personally, in business and in public office.

"Just trust me, I've made them," Schaffer said. "I'm not going to go in front of a big crowd whose votes I'm hoping to earn and air them all out for you."

The two debate again today in Denver. They also have debates scheduled this month in Pueblo and Greeley.

jhanel@durangoherald.com