THIS YEAR Coloradans will elect a new U.S. senator to succeed the retiring Wayne Allard. This state owes a debt of gratitude to Sen. Allard for his service, previously as a U.S. representative and now as a two-term senator.
After weeks of deliberation, we are endorsing Republican Bob Schaffer, who is vying for the seat with Democrat Mark Udall.
First, some good words for the 2nd District congressman. Rep. Udall is a gentleman who - along with Sen. Ken Salazar and Rep. John Salazar - has lent a hand in recent years to Pueblo and Southern Colorado.
He has noted that the Army has yet to make a compelling case for expanding the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site and has opposed the Pentagon’s use of condemnation to expand that area. He has asked for a more complete study of Colorado Springs’ proposed giant water pipeline project, particularly its effects on LakePueblo and Fountain Creek.
We appreciate those efforts.
Bob Schaffer, who formerly represented the 4th Congressional District that includes much of the LowerArkansasValley, is in accord in opposing condemnation around PinonCanyon and does not support expansion, noting that the Pentagon has stated it could grow troop levels at FortCarson without new land.
He supports fully funding flood-control studies on Fountain Creek that would be necessitated by Colorado Springs’ pipeline, arguing those studies would require sound scientific assessments of flooding, water quality, aesthetics and hydrology. And if it was determined that a dam or series of dams is needed on the Fountain, he would lead efforts to fund them.
On the national scene, we believe Bob Schaffer would provide a rational, conservative voice to the Senate at a time when liberal Democrats hope to make greater inroads in growing government. Bob Schaffer is committed to limited government as the best way to assure our personal liberties.
A Sen. Schaffer would support nominees for the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court, who are constitutional constructionists. He, like we, believes in the separation of powers in the federal government, with legislation being the sole province of Congress and constitutional review of legislation being the sole province - the sole role - of the judiciary.
Bob Schaffer has made it clear that he supports American victories in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have too much at stake in assuring our national security to let the terrorists claim victory in the Middle East.
There’s another consideration regarding the choice for a U.S. senator from Colorado. If, as many political observers predict, this election will be a Democratic sweep, it is still important to maintain a divided government.
While rules of the Senate sometimes can be exasperating, the requirement of a 60 percent majority to make key decisions is a safeguard against runaway government. The Founders considered the Senate to be the body where the political passions of the moment could be cooled, and that role is no less important in the 21st century than it was in the 18th.
Maintaining a strong GOP minority in the Senate, then, is an important goal, one which we urge our readers to consider. If the nation needs changes, then so be it. But let’s let those changes come in digestible chunks that can be modified if need be.
Bob Schaffer will be a strong voice for all of Colorado and the nation in the U.S. Senate. We urge his election on Nov. 4.
