DENVER – The race for U.S. Senate in Colorado is perhaps the centerpiece contest facing voters this mid-term election.
The fate of incumbent Democrat Mark Udall could determine the balance of power in Congress.
If Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner of Yuma is able to unseat his opponent, it’s possible that the U.S. Senate flips to Republican control.
The left has relentlessly been attacking Gardner, mostly over personhood.
Gardner pulled his support this year for a state ballot question that would assign constitutional rights to the unborn, thereby banning abortion. Critics say the initiative would go as far as to ban common forms of birth control.
Gardner not only distanced himself from it, but he also proposed providing “the pill” over the counter without a prescription.
Still, Udall and fellow Democrats point out that Gardner remains a sponsor of the federal Life Begins at Conception Act. They say the measure is tantamount to state personhood.
Even sponsors of the Colorado personhood effort equate the federal bill to personhood, and told The Durango Herald, “We wholeheartedly support both.”
FactCheck.org said voters should be aware that Gardner still supports a federal bill that would prompt the same concerns over birth control.
But Gardner insists that he has remained a sponsor of the federal bill because they are different policy proposals.
“They are two different pieces of legislation. Different from a procedural standpoint; from a legislative standpoint. So, they are not the same, and they are completely different,” Gardner told the Herald on Tuesday.
When pressed to highlight the policy differences, Gardner answered, “One is a federal bill, one is a state bill, one’s an amendment to the state constitution with a number of other implications. They are different, they are not the same.”
For his part, Udall acknowledged that the race has been filled with attacks.
“I owe it to Colorado to make the best, strongest case, and to draw comparisons between Congressman Gardner and me,” Udall said.
Government shutdown
One area in which Udall is drawing a comparison is over last year’s government shutdown in the wake of the September floods.
Republicans forced a budgetary impasse in an effort to defund Obamacare. Gardner ultimately joined a minority of Republicans to reopen the government, which included $450 million in funding for flood repair.
“This is a contrast between Congressman Gardner and myself,” Udall said. “Congressman Gardner supported the government shutdown that delayed the recovery.”
Gardner responded, “I never supported the government shutdown. In fact, I worked during the shutdown ... to reopen the government.”
Energy and water
Perhaps no greater issue facing Southwest Colorado is over energy and water.
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rules that would allow it to regulate small bodies of water and cut carbon-dioxide emissions.
Udall said the energy debate comes down to addressing climate change, stating, “You ensure that the conversation continues about how do we respond to climate change.”
In addition, he added, Gardner, “doesn’t believe climate change is a threat.”
Gardner, however, said he understands that climate change is a problem. He said, “Where I draw the line is policies that ... would destroy our economy.”
Gardner also defended a ballot initiative he supported in 2008 that would have redirected some gas and oil severance-tax revenues from water to highway projects.
“It was an effort to guarantee an increase in water funding every year protected constitutionally from raids by other people,” he said.
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
Gardner, Udall on issues
The U.S. Senate race in Colorado is filled with politics. But through the noise are critical policy issues. U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, a Republican, have a wide range of ideas on topics:
Health care
Gardner: “Obamacare will add hundreds of billions of dollars of debt to the country over the next 10 years. I support making sure that people who have pre-existing conditions have insurance. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that would guarantee coverage of pre-existing conditions.”
Udall: “We had a rough start (to the Affordable Care Act.) That was inexcusable. We have to make it work for Colorado. ... We’re not going to go back to the old system. Insurance companies ran the show. ... The administration heeded my call for people to be able to keep their plans. But we can’t go back.”
Immigration
Gardner: “We should support immigration reform. Immigration reform can start with border security. But I believe it’s important that you recognize that when I’m talking about border security, that I’m not just talking about the personnel and equipment ... I’m also including a workable guest-worker program in that solution, that we have fixes to our entry-exit system, that we have fixes to the E-Verify system.”
Udall: “It’s past time we fix our broken immigration system, which is tearing families apart, making it difficult for Colorado firms to find the workers they need, and holding our economy back. We passed a comprehensive, bipartisan bill in the Senate to do this, but the House of Representatives has refused to take an up or down vote on the bill, or offer a solution of their own. That’s unacceptable.”
Education
Gardner: “I don’t think you want Congress in the classroom. This is a state of Colorado issue. It’s a local school district issue. ... Congress needs to make sure that local school districts have the flexibility to use the dollars that they receive from the federal government the way they want to.”
Udall: “When it comes to Common Core, there was a national process, bottom up. A lot of people got involved, and I will respect what the state of Colorado has decided to do, and what the experts in the field ... think when it comes to Common Core.”
Gun control
Gardner: “We should address the issue of these horrible, horrible tragedies that have occurred through identifying them before they occur, stopping and preventing them, making sure that we’re providing the mental-health resources that we need.”
Udall: “Responsible gun ownership is a part of our heritage. ... I’m going to stand up for the Second Amendment, but that doesn’t mean that right is absolute.”
Cory Gardner
Political affiliation: Republican
Key issues: Four Corners Plan for all of Colorado, which focuses on the economy, energy, education and a pristine environment; it’s time for a new generation of leadership that’s accountable to the next generation; an independent voice for Colorado.
Family: Wife, Jaime, and two children
Occupation history: General Counsel, U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado, 2002-05; member of the Colorado state House of Representatives, 2005-10; elected as a Republican to Congress
Residence: Yuma
Favorite President: Ronald Reagan
Mark Udall
Political affiliation: Democrat
Key issues: Making sure the economy works for everyone, not just those at the top; recognize that public lands are one of the most valuable resources; work for immigration reform.
Family: Wife, Maggie, and two kids
Work history: CEO of Colorado Outward Bound (1985-1995), Colorado state representative (1997-99), U.S. representative (1999-2009), U.S. senator (2009-present)
Residence: Eldorado Springs
Favorite President: John F. Kennedy
