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Attack Ad Explores Schaffer's Oil Ties

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Sep 16, 2008 6:12 am US/Mountain

Attack Ad Explores Schaffer's Oil Ties

Reporting
Raj Chohan
(CBS4) A new ad by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) bangs the big oil drum in its attacks on Republican senate candidate Bob Schaffer.

ad: For six years in Congress, big oil Bob Schaffer repeatedly supported tax breaks for the oil companies,

 The claim is true, but it's important to note, when Bob Schaffer was in Congress from 1997 to the end of 2002 there were different dynamics in play. Oil was selling for an average of just $20 a barrel. That's a fraction of the record oil prices we've seen lately.

ad: ...and (Schaffer) opposed renewable energy.

 Not exactly. It's true Schaffer voted against some measures that would have promoted renewable energy. But the

ad also fails to point out that Schaffer voted for the 2001 energy bill which set aside billions in tax incentives for research and development of renewable energy. Still, Schaffer's critics are correct in pointing out that it was fossil energy that got the biggest share of the tax breaks in that bill, and by a long-shot.

ad: Then Schaffer left Congress, went through the revolving door, and got on the oil pay roll. Schaffer's take, over $800,000.

 Here's the spin. Schaffer did go to work for a company called Aspect Energy which develops natural gas and oil. As a high profile executive he earned about $840,000 over the course of several years with the company. But calling that a "take" seems misleading. Like a lot of Coloradans working in the energy industry, Schaffer earned a pay check for the work he performed as an executive.

ad: Just last year Schaffer said, I'm in the oil and gas business these days.

 The claim is also true. In a 2007 speech for the Heritage Foundation, Schaffer described himself as being in the oil and gas industry.

ad: Don't let big oil Bob Schaffer back through the revolving door

 Bottom line. The ad implies that because Bob Schaffer worked for an energy company he is more likely than his Democratic opponent Mark Udall to favor oil & gas interests if elected. It's a fair argument to make. But the ad ignores the billions of dollars Schaffer voted for in renewable energy development during his time in Congress.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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