July 30, 2008

Energy dominates Senate debate

Schaffer, Udall differ on methods

Democrat Mark Udall defended his alternative-energy plan in a U.S. Senate debate Monday, despite recent polls showing that Republicans are scoring points with calls to increase domestic drilling.

While Republican Bob Schaffer pushed for oil exploration and increased use of renewable energy, Udall said the country needs a new energy policy focused on renewables, nuclear plants and alternative-fuel cars. The Eldorado Springs congressman blasted Schaffer for working for an oil company and labeled him a “Johnny-come-lately” to the renewable energy bandwagon.

The debate was taped for broadcast Sunday on Fox 31.

Schaffer, a former congressman from Fort Collins, defended his record on renewable energy. Although the Congressional Record noted him discussing the topic only once on the House floor in six years, he talked about it more often outside Congress, Schaffer said.

The Republican nominee also continued to advocate expanded drilling in coastal waters and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to free the nation from dependence on foreign oil.

Udall, who has seen a 10-point lead in polls slip to a tie in the past month, fought back by saying the tax breaks Schaffer and others gave to big oil have not stopped - and may even have hastened - recent gasoline price increases.

The Democratic nominee turned most questions, including one on the Iraq war, to a discussion on energy and said afterward that he won’t change the subject no matter what polls say.

“People are feeling the pain, and I’ve got a plan to respond to that pain,” Udall said of high gas prices. “This has been the focus of all 12 years I’ve been in office. It’s been the focus of my career. Why wouldn’t I talk about it?”

In discussing the war, Udall said he has gone twice to Iraq to visit troops while Schaffer has gone only once, to secure an oil deal for his company with the Kurds against State Department wishes.

Schaffer responded that Udall was “untruthful” about the trip to Kurdistan in 2006 to introduce Aspect Energy officials to the Kurds. Unlike Udall, Schaffer said, he supports troop withdrawal based on a checklist of achievements rather than an arbitrary timetable.

Schaffer, meanwhile, accused congressional Democrats of being more concerned with voting to recess at the end of the week than passing an energy plan. Agreeing to Schaffer’s challenge, Udall said he would not vote for a recess until an energy bill comes up.

The debate was the second joint appearance by the men looking to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Wayne Allard.

Want to see the debate?

Watch Rep. Mark Udall and Bob Schaffer duke it out.

* When: 10 p.m. Sunday

* Where: Fox 31

By Ed Sealover
Rocky Mountain News
Tuesday, July 29, 2008