Who is the "Real" Bob Schaffer?

What does ex-Colorado Congressman Bob Schaffer really stand for?

That is the question everyone across Colorado is trying to answer. To aid them with their search we are asking for your help.

We are launching a contest, based on what you already know about Bob to determine which of the following descriptions best answers the question “Who Is the Real Bob Schaffer?”

I. Backwards Bob. Bob’s views are fundamentally out of touch with Colorado values. Instead of pursuing progress for our state and country, Bob will take Colorado and its citizens backwards.

Facts:

1. He opposed Referendum C, which passed statewide yet supported Ref A to take water from the Western Slope which voters overwhelmingly defeated. (Fort Collins Coloradoan, 7/23/2005 and RMN, 11/6/2003)

2. He tried to gut the Food Quality Protection Act which imposed strict regulations on pesticides in foods, especially to protect children. Instead, he promoted a bill written by the chemical industry. (FCC, 3/1/2001)

3. He received an embarrassing 5% lifetime average voting for the public interest rating. His votes were worse than other Republicans in the state when he voted NOT to cut federal subsidies for coal and tobacco industry. He was also one of only 4 members of Congress to vote against continuing funding for student loans.(www.uspirg.org)

II. Big Oil Bob. Bob is a full time employee of an oil company. Combined with all the donations he has taken from big oil, he is little more than a puppet of the Big Oil industry.

Facts:

1. After his time in Congress with his campaigns bankrolled by Big Oil, Schaffer immediately went to work for an oil and gas company here in Colorado. (www.campaignmoney.com)

2. He voted against raising fuel efficiency standards and he opposed incentives for alternative fuels. He also voted against implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce global warming. (www.ontheissues.org)

3. While in Congress, Schaffer supported the expansion of oil and gas drilling in national monument areas while earning dismal report cards from conservation groups.(www.hcn.org)

III. Beltway Bob. There are many values that all Coloradans hold sacred, yet Schaffer is willing to bring the worst of Washington ethics back here to promote himself.

Facts:

1. He never returned the donations he received from indicted ex-Congressman Tom Delay’s PAC. (www.citizensforthics.org)

2. He was caught in 2004 greatly exaggerating his resume by claiming to be the director of a bank which did not exist. (Denver Post, July 18, 2004)

3. He was criticized last year for using a 527 political committee to create a “phony” community newspaper in order to attack a state representative.(DP, 7/20/2006)

Let us know which of these you think best defines Schaffer or submit your own.