Notable Links

Denver Internet Marketing by Parallel Path

Knowledge Messenger

Arvada Boutique Clothing Store Stella B's

Schaffer: Teller County GOP Officials Lied

by: Colorado Pols

Fri May 04, 2007 at 08:12:44 AM MDT

( - promoted by Colorado Pols)

Does this strike you as a little odd? Yesterday, we cited a Hill article stating that former Congressman Bob Schaffer had already announced his intention to run for Senate, based on statements made by Teller County GOP officials who attended his speech at their Lincoln Day dinner last weekend.

Today's Fort Collins Coloradoan, however, quotes Schaffer denying everything:

Former Congressman Bob Schaffer made his long-expected Senate announcement during the weekend in tiny Teller County. Or maybe he didn't.
"He was invited as our speaker (at a Republican dinner) and said he had decided to run and that a formal announcement would follow but that he wanted us to be the first ones to know," said Mark Sievers, the chairman of the Teller Republican Central Committee who was among the 100 people who attended.
"I think Bob has been thinking about a run for a long time and maybe he decided on his way down that this was the right time and place to do it." [Pols emphasis]
Schaffer said he hasn't announced whether he'll be a candidate to replace Sen. Wayne Allard, in Teller County or elsewhere.
"I have not announced a candidacy or campaign and if and when there is one, I will announce it at the appropriate time," the Fort Collins resident said Thursday.

Two possibilities:

1. Schaffer regrets having kicked off his campaign in this clumsy zero-fanfare manner, and is trying to regain control of his message. (Updated: important FEC angle as well)

2. Schaffer hasn't decided if he's going to run.

Actually, there's only one possibility, which is of course the former -- unless these Teller County GOP officials who have absolutely no reason to lie and were very specific about what Schaffer purportedly said to them...are lying.

Schaffer may regret the timing and setting of his announcement, but now that it's out he needs to go ahead and own up to it. Implying these presumably innocent fellow Republicans are dishonest over his own slip-up is not the way to start a Senate campaign.

Colorado Pols :: Schaffer: Teller County GOP Officials Lied

Tags: (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

Schaffer: Teller County GOP Officials Lied | 50 comments

Way to go, Ohio Bob

I thought this guy was supposed to have integrity.

"Fine, let's take a vote. Who wants fish for dinner?...Yeah, democracy ain't so fun when it fucks you, huh?" - shitmydadsays

by: Aristotle @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 10:06:14 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

If Schaffer's lying about this, that's a real disappointment

Schaffer's WAY too conservative for my tastes, but I've always admired his personal integrity. Hope he hasn't screwed up.

by: Tancredo Watch @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 01:45:24 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Oh, now this is just funny....

"I've learned a lot of lessons being involved in politics. I also believe that when you are attacked, you have to deck your opponents." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)

by: Coloradem1 @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 10:28:27 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Schaffer's running,

or else the GOP is surrendering this Senate seat. So he's running. I think he wanted more message control, but if he can't even get behind his own candidacy in public after this, I think it's going to backfire.

I'd do the official announcement today if I were him, and this will be forgotten.

"But every Republican in the world is a lobbyist…" -- Bill O'Reilly

by: OscarTheCouch @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 11:49:36 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

never on Friday....

weekend news cycle will drown it out.

"I've learned a lot of lessons being involved in politics. I also believe that when you are attacked, you have to deck your opponents." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)

by: Coloradem1 @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 11:57:35 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

some say that by nominating Scahffer, the GOP is surrendering this Senate seat

by: One Queer Dude @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:39:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

And others say that's utter and complete garbage.

by: Dr. Dobson has God-like qualities @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 14:35:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Garbage = Your Mouth

Dobson is Satan, you are such a baby. ROFLMAO

by: zeppo @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 00:30:17 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

D'oh !

I said yesterday that this was not a formal announcement, and he would be able to make a formal launch later with no problem, but now it looks like he is up against his own potential supporters !

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement" - Jim Horning

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:09:49 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Is this really the type

of person we want representing Colorado in the US Senate?

by: Dawg48 @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:18:29 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Does this mean Bentley Rayburn is running after all?

;-)

by: DemoGirl @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:22:02 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Possible FEC violation

Schaffer better get on the ball. According to the FEC, there are 2 ways for a person to become a candidate for federal office - 1. by conducting campaign actitivites to recieve over $5,000; 2. by making a statement in a public forum announcing their intention to campaign.

Applying this rule to last week's announcement (or whatever we're calling it), Schaffer is now a candidate. Shaffer has 15 days from the time the statement was made to register with the FEC and designate a principal campaign committee. He may want to get moving, or risk starting off his campaign with an FEC campaign finance violation.

I'm not an R, but don't want to see a candidate run afoul of the law if they don't have to. I would be wary with the new focus of the FEC.

http://thehill.com/l...

by: and another thing @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:23:53 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Public announcment

That is why he is saying he didn't say it. All sorts of rules kick in when you publicly announce.

by: WinstonSmith @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:43:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Schaffer denied it in Longmont

Kate Martin doesn't exactly call him "Both Ways Bob":

Last weekend, the former 4th District congressman told about 100 Teller County Republicans that he intends to run for the Senate, said Teller County Commissioner Jim Ignatius.
Schaffer was the keynote speaker at the county party's Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday.
"He did say there was going to be a formal announcement sometime in the future," Ignatius said.
Larimer County Republican Party chairman Ed Haynes said Schaffer "chose to tell these 100 people down there that he was going to do it, knowing there was no press in the room."
But during a Longmont breakfast meeting with Boulder County GOP members Wednesday, Schaffer said he had not decided.
"I've certainly given that an awful lot of thought," Schaffer said afterward. "It's a decision of enormous proportion that I would not propose making on my own."

"It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!" - Nietzsche

by: twas brillig @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 21:04:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

where is our self-annointed expert on All Things Related to Bob Schaffer?

Paging D.D.H.G.L.Q. What's up at Condom Bob Central Command?

by: One Queer Dude @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 12:40:29 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

too many irons in the fire

He's busy espousing the benefits of intelligent design on another thread...

No, seriously

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement" - Jim Horning

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 13:43:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

He's running.

It wasn't supposed to get out. Wadhams actually announced Schaffer's candidacy at the Jeffco Lincoln Day dinner last week--on national radio, no less--but that never got out. There's no use being so damn coy about this. Schaffer has assembled a stunning, star-studded team for his run and he may as well come on out and gitrdun. He's trying to shore up funds and supporters--all reasonable--but now it's getting a little goofy. Look for an announcement next week.

by: Dr. Dobson has God-like qualities @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 14:40:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Clock's ticking on this quarter

Now he's going to have to hurry to raise money to post some decent numbers this quarter (which is half over), and it sounds like a lot of the usual suspects aren't lined up yet.

Bummer.

"It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!" - Nietzsche

by: twas brillig @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 21:05:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

"I'm not running......uh....but I really am."

The Bugs Bunny Maroon of the Day, Bob S, and Dobson is Satan, two peepee's in a pod. LOL

by: zeppo @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 00:32:20 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Both ways Bob, anyone? (n/t)

by: Emma Anne @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 13:30:03 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

How about...

"Hokey-Pokey" Bob. You know, "You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out...."

"I've learned a lot of lessons being involved in politics. I also believe that when you are attacked, you have to deck your opponents." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)

by: Coloradem1 @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 14:16:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Ha! That was funny. :)

by: Dr. Dobson has God-like qualities @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 14:37:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

oh please

Leave it to some friggin po-dunk county to totally misinterpret Bob's "I'm gonna run" comment to GOP insiders. Folks: a campaign announcement is so totally different from saying "ya, I'm running for Senate." Bob did the latter here. Idiots...

by: roll the idiots @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 16:30:31 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

by: Cuervo71 @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 16:49:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

I love that line...it works anywhere. "Why were you late for work?" "I don't know, that depends on what the meaning of 'is' is."

The best legacy of President Clinton to date.... :)

by: Haners @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 16:59:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

that is so West Wing like!

There is some truth to the distinction. I seem to recall the West Wing episode where Martin Sheen disclosed his MS, then was asked if he planned to run for re-election. His answer, "Yup, and I'm gonna win." Three months later, the episode with the official announcement of his candidacy aired.
Life immitating entertainment.

by: One Queer Dude @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 16:56:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

yep

...much ado about nothing, pols...

by: It's Me @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 17:41:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

You're either an idiot or a liar

MISINTERPRETED, oh dear God, "they took me out of context," "you're a po-dunk" for actually believing what Bob S. said, it's "totally differnt," you're all stupid and roll the idiots is not. ROFLMAO. We're all idiots.........this is soooo hilarious. Queen of Spin for today, rti. This is toooo funny.

by: zeppo @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 00:35:54 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

ya,

they're idiots. You're a dork. And I'm drunk posting. Ha.

by: roll the idiots @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 02:42:35 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

I don;t agree

This doesn't seem like a "they're lying" kind of statement from Schaffer. I just don't get that vibe on this one Pols. This sounds more like the sort of denials that politicians give all the time when asked about future plans. If any of the Teller county people get upset over this, then a) they're babies and b) they should have kept their mouth shut

by: Haners @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 18:05:24 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

**don't**

If I had fat fingers, I'd blame them

by: Haners @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 18:07:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Pffft

The reason he's hemming and hawing is once he makes a public statement like this, he's legally obligated to get his shit together and he doesn't have his shit together. Your affected obtuseness makes me think you know that.

by: JeffcoBlue @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 19:26:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Affected obtuseness

Nice phrase....

A Lincoln Day dinner counting as a "public statement" doesn't seem to hold a lot of water to me. Telling people you'll run isn't a public statement. Telling people in what is thought to be a private setting isn't a "public statement". I just don't see the controversy here

by: Haners @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 19:34:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Should have learned

Bob should have learned from Marilyn Musgrave's fiasco with the Marines last year that little is private at county dinners.

"It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!" - Nietzsche

by: twas brillig @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 21:10:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

omg.......she desperately needs a hair stylist

Perhaps I can refer her to one of my gay hairdresser friends. They like a challenge and that hair of Musty's definitely is a challenge.
And for starters, she should stop buying whatever hair coloring products are on 1/2 price sale at K-Mart.

by: One Queer Dude @ Mon May 07, 2007 at 13:21:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

MIght not hold a lot of water for you Haners

BUT the FEC has all the water and rules. ROFLMAO. God, you guys are a laugh riot. SPIN like a top. Lie like a rug. "Telling people is not really a "public statement." IF you screw up..........LIE. Haners I thought more of you until this idiotic statement. You can have your own opinion...you can't have your own facts. LOL

by: zeppo @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 00:39:01 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Agreed.

I haven't been here all that long, but I always took Haners for a credible Republican who wasn't afraid to call out his own side when they do something stupid.

Scratch that I guess...

by: JeffcoBlue @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 10:06:58 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Aren't y'all quick to throw someone under the bus

One disagreement, and I'm no longer credible. Such bull shit.

What ever happened to "debate the issues and not attack people personally". I guess that only holds true when you agree with everything the left says

by: Haners @ Mon May 07, 2007 at 15:48:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A private setting?? A dinner with tons of people, a microphone, reporters?

...if you call that "private," you seem to have an odd definition of privacy.

by: Cuervo71 @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 08:57:30 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

24 hours.....

Snnnnap!

by: Lauren Bacall @ Fri May 04, 2007 at 18:16:53 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Dem's will grab this like a pit-bull

Dear Lauren,
You are very often the soul of savvy, intelligent discussion, this time I must disagree with you. Wad-head says he will bludgeon the Dem's with the phony tax increase. The Dem's are going to keep repeating, "I wasn't running before I was running Bobbie Schaf," until we are all sick of it. 24 hour news cycle, yes, letting Bobbie boy get away with this, "I lied I'm not running...uh...yes I am..uh Teller County is podunk...uh...I'm running when I say I'm running," silliness will stick like, "Both WAYS." LOL

by: zeppo @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 11:05:42 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

oh, please...

Zep'ster - You're the one trying to spin this into some sort of wacky conspiracy. So tell me, have you always been a Schaffer-basher or is this a new jihad for you?

by: It's Me @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 12:26:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Not to sound unsavvy zeppo

but I have no idea what this post means.

by: Lauren Bacall @ Sat May 05, 2007 at 15:05:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.