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Even when U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer during a debate yesterday chided his opponent, “Boulder liberal” Mark Udall, for supporting a Cabinet-level department of peace in 2001 and 2003 — well, Udall handled it quite peacefully.

There were very few jabs yesterday during the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce-hosted debate between the two candidates. They covered the topics of energy, health care, unions and immigration with few fighting words. In fact, the two candidates even found themselves agreeing with each other some of the time.

The Colorado Senate race is one of the top races in the November election. Both candidates are running to replace Republican Sen. Wayne Allard, who is retiring.

Udall on energy

Congressman Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, first spoke of his “passion” to further the development of renewable energy, calling it the future of the nation. He also spoke of his support for Colorado’s 2004 Amendment 37, making the state the first in the nation to adopt a statewide renewable energy requirement. 

He then went on to say, “We also need our fossil fuels, this is an important part of our economy … we need to throw the kitchen sink at what faces us when it comes to getting our energy both now and in the future … we need to drill but we need to drill responsibly … we also have to take a fresh look at nuclear power.”

Schaffer on energy

Former congressman Schaffer, R-Fort Collins, said that unlike his opponent, he supports a wider expansion of offshore drilling. He added that as vice-president for business development at a Denver-based energy investment firm, he gained the experience necessary to further both conventional and renewable energy technologies.

“I too believe we need a broad-based energy approach that involves renewables, as well as conventional energy and unconventional energy, and we need to think about nuclear as well,” he said.

‘Joe Six Pack’ on energy

Standing behind a “Schaffer for U.S. Senate” banner outside the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, Mario Mendoza said he is voting for Schaffer because he believes the Republican candidate has the right ideas when it comes to energy.

“I think he’s encouraging people to drill in Colorado and so we will be more independent from where we are now, so we don’t have to send this money to the Middle East and all those countries that hate us,” said the retired 65-year-old citizen.

Schaffer on health care

Agreeing that there needs to be comprehensive health care reform, Schaffer spoke of expanding tax credits to individuals as well as businesses. He also suggested a tax credit for low-income individuals to be used for full-coverage programs.

“I think we need to find consistent and focused ways to make health care and health insurance a personal endeavor again, a matter of personal ownership and personal responsibility,” he said.

Udall on health care

Udall also spoke of expanding health care tax credits to individuals, as well as providing all citizens with the same health care coverage that federal employees have, including the option of choosing a doctor. He also spoke of support for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and purchasing pools for small businesses.

“In the long run, this is important because of the competitive nature of the world’s economy,” Udall said concerning health care and small businesses. “We have to make sure that our business efforts continue to be competitive not just here, but also overseas.”

Udall on unions

The congressman said he supports the Employee Free Choice Act, which would allow employees to unionize by signing a card, instead of voting through a secret ballot. 

“The Bush Administration has been missing in action when it comes to the National Labor Relations Board’s responsibilities,” said Udall. “The purpose of the Employee Free Choice Act has been to level the playing field to ensure that people in the work place have access to those benefits and those salary rights and those working conditions that keep them productive, keep them efficient and keep the balance that we all know is so important between management and labor.”

Schaffer on unions

Schaffer, however, said the Employee Free Choice Act is a problem because it takes away an employees’ right to vote to unionize in privacy.

“The bill really is about secret ballots and whether those who are contemplating joining or organizing labor unions should be able to make that choice in the privacy of a ballot box, or perhaps in their own home,” he said. “(The bill) takes away that right to a secret ballot … which is really all about union organizing and union intimidation, a way that is designed to take away the free-will of those people in the workforce, and literally to disrupt the relationship between the employer and the employee.”

What do the union boys have to say?

Outside the Hyatt Regency yesterday were two Littleton firemen, both members of the Colorado Professional Firefighters Association, as well as Udall supporters. They say that while Udall stands for workers’ safety, Schaffer’s policies would put labor at risk.

“It’s about the working people and the rights that we think we need to do our jobs,” said Littleton firefighter Mark Rogers. “Udall … he understands that we need the tools we do to keep ourselves safe and to keep others safe.”

Joel Heinemann, a staunch supporter of workers’ rights, said Schaffer stands alone in supporting the so-called right-to-work initiative on the November ballot after business leaders last week agreed to oppose Amendment 47.

“The question is why is (Schaffer) not only turning his back on labor, but also turning his back on the business community?” asked Heinemann. “He’s standing alone by himself with his own ideals, and those aren’t representative of Coloradans.”

Schaffer on immigration

Speaking about his mother, who waited patiently in Canada for 10 years before immigrating to America legally, Schaffer said Congress should not forget about addressing the thousands of illegal immigrants that are currently in America.

“(My mother’s experience) gives me a strong preference for a legal immigration process, rather than one that turns its back toward the illegal problems we have,” he said.

Udall on immigration

Taking a different approach, Udall said America must first bring illegal immigrants “out of the shadows,” find out who they are, fine them for having immigrated to the country illegally, but then teach them English. If the immigrants pass a background check, then America should work to get them employed legally.

Udall also spoke of increasing border security.

On ‘maverickism’

Udall said lawmakers sometimes need to buck their constituents and vote their conscience. He cited his votes against the Iraq war, the Patriot Act and the bankruptcy bill in 2005 that made it easier for banks to go after small borrowers, a bill he vowed to try to change.

“That was a particularly mean-spirited bill,” he said.

Schaffer agreed that politicians sometimes have to go against the grain.

“We elect people to make powerful decisions for us. You assume they are armed with insight,” he said.

The AP contributed to this story

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