In a video interview with the Wall Street Journal this week, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer did not shy away from the "Big Oil Bob" moniker ordained by his opposition. Instead, he advocated off-shore drilling to help achieve energy independence and to help American consumers at the pump.
Schaffer and MiniterWSJ.com
Schaffer told WSJ Assistant Features Editor Brendan Miniter that Democrats were wrong to assume that high gas prices would work in favor of his opponent, Democrat Mark Udall.
"Democrats were hoping that energy prices [and that] my support generally for more American production on American soil would work against me in this campaign," Schaffer said. "But once energy prices started rising most Coloradans came to the conclusion that a pro-energy development strategy makes more sense."
Miniter went on to say that a shift in opinion polls precipitated a change in tune from the Udall camp. Over the last several months, polls have continuously demonstrated that most Americans favor domestic energy production. Schaffer attacked Udall over his suggestion that American companies could drill in Cuba.
"[Udall] introduced legislation for an exemption from the embargo, the economic embargo with Cuba, to allow American companies to bid on the blocks being auctioned by the Cuban government," Schaffer said. "Which under the Cuban system means you become a business partnership with the communist Cuban government."
Schaffer also promoted the exploration of oil-shale development and urged lifting the moratorium on its development. He pointed out that Udall was one of the architects of the moratorium.