[Red Boots]

Sorry, but Schaffer didn't impress me.

The mailings he sent out in the primary portraying Coors as a homosexual advocate cost the Repubs the Senate seat, in my opinion. They were very graphic, and lost Coors a lot of conservative votes.

I didn't know much about Schaffer, living over on the other side of the state, but he came across as selfish and attacking, out only for himself.

[ModelBreaker]

But the leadership in Colorado thought that perhaps Coors' millions and his name recognition would make him a shoo-in over Salazar. Perhaps some of them owed him favors. Big mistake. So they, along with Colorado Governor Bill Owens (a Republican but hardly a conservative) shivved Bob in the back and threw their support behind Coors, whom many Coloradoans saw as a bored rich boy who wanted to have the name "Senator" before his name -- and perhaps cut some sweet deals for brewing industry.

I agree with the author about how great a candidate and person Bob Schaffer is. But this comment is unfair to Pete Coors. Gov. Owens had to arm-lock Coors before Coors would run. Pete Coors is a good man and a loyal Repblican. He just wasn't our best candidate. Pete thought he was doing it for the party and, unlike the State Party, acted honorably in his race against Schaffer.

Another tidbit, birdies tell me that Gov. Owens did his flip-flop on endorsing Schaffer (and, as the author puts it 'shivved' Schaffer) after the White House called and told Owens they didn't want Bob Schaffer in the Senate. The reason? Schaffer was a principled conservative who, as a congressman, had bucked the president on No Child Left Behind and the Prescription Drug Entitlement Program.

[ModelBreaker]

The conservative Republican base in Colorado was enraged, so much so that many literally did not vote out of spite.

Actually, there is NO evidence for this statement at all. I know who was out walking precincts for Coors. It was overwhelmingly the conservative base.

[holyscroller]

"Heck of a way to make a name for yourself, but for Coloradoans to suddenly have a senator who makes insanely ridiculous and abusive remarks on a regular basis -- with no-holds barred, even against Christians and minorities... well, they've never seen the like!"

Beg pardon, but they have seen the like. If I recall, Pat Schroeder had a vicious mouth on her, and was a lying low-life every chance she got too. Colorado is such a beautiful state, but like my own state of Washington, both elect such unsavory people to high office.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Schaffer would have been lucky to get within 10 points of Salazar. The only Republican in Colorado who could have defeated Salazar would have been Owens and that only would have happened if he and Frances hadn't separated.

[Paleo Conservative]

Is Ken Salazar Colorado's Charlie Rangel?

He sounds as looney as Ward Churchill. What's in the water in Colorado?