Election 2008

Debate draws sharp contrasts
Schaffer, Udall know how to flatter each other
by Joe Hanel
Herald Denver Bureau
GREELEY - In their second-to-last debate in the race for the U.S. Senate, Bob Schaffer and Mark Udall got a new challenge: say something nice about each other.
The debate format also was new, featuring videotaped question from citizens. The content of the questions, though, was familiar. Questioners asked about the war, health care, energy and political partisanship.

In perhaps the most collegial moment of the campaign, moderator Troy Coverdale of radio station KFKA asked the two to say something nice about each other.

Schaffer, a Republican who served al-ongside Udall for in Congress until 2002, got the question first.

"Without a doubt, the most accomplished thing the Congressman (Udall) has ever done is marry Maggie," Schaffer said.

Schaffer also praised Udall for supporting him on agricultural issues.

Udall, in turn, said he and Schaffer had worked well together on funding for Colorado's universities. Colorado's nine members of Congress usually work well together, he said.

Click here for full story