Gardner says Udall “trying to distract voters” with issues that aren't "top of mind"

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by: Jason Salzman

(Do men care about it? No? Okay then. – Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Rep. Cory Gardner (R).

On a Denver radio show over the weekend, GOP senatorial candidate Cory Gardner accused his Democratic opponent, Sen. Mark Udall, of “trying to distract voters” by spotlighting Gardner's stances on abortion and contraception, which "aren't top of mind for people."

I would have enjoyed hearing Gardner say that to room full of women, but, alas, Gardner's words fell on talk radio, which skews male and old. And Craig Silverman, who hosted the KNUS 710-AM show on which Gardner made the comments, didn't offer any words of rebuttal, from himself or any critic, male or female.

A response from a Planned Parenthood representative–or anyone–from Texas, where new anti-choice laws will reduce the number of abortion clinics to eight statewide by Sept. 1, might make a particularly good radio debate on this topic.

As I reported today on RH Reality Check about Gardner's comment that Udall is “trying to distract the voters with issues that, quite frankly, aren’t top of mind for people:”

Gardner’s statement reflects comments he made during his first congressional campaign in 2010, when he defeated Betsy Markey, a pro-choice Democrat trying to hold her seat in a Republican-leaning congressional district.

In response to Markey’s attacks on his hardline anti-abortion positions, including his support of Colorado’s failed “personhood” amendment in 2008, Gardner said at the time, “Right now the only person talking about social issues in this campaign is Betsy Markey.” He promised reporters not to pursue an anti-abortion agenda if elected to Congress.

After winning the election, however, Gardner co-sponsored bills to redefine rape, defund Planned Parenthood, and to define a “person” in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to include all human development, beginning at the fertilized egg (zygote) stage.

16 thoughts on “Gardner says Udall “trying to distract voters” with issues that aren’t “top of mind””

Moderatus says:

July 17, 2014 at 11:58 am

Today's poll proves Democrats are flailing away against Cory and accomplishing nothing.

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2014/07/17/q-pac-poll-tied-udall-spends-half-his-cash-for-nothing/

Today’s Quinnipiac poll must be devastating to under siege Sen. Mark Udall. The top line shows that Udall is tied with Rep. Cory Gardner at 44%. What’s the big deal, you ask? Udall has already spent $7 million of the $13 million he raised, mostly on negative attacks on Gardner. The result? Udall is worse off than he was eight months ago. This is probably the worst poll of the year for him.

And, this poll comes on the heels of Stu Rothenberg moving the Colorado Senate race from Leans D to Tossup. This is just more evidence that Republicans can win in November. But, it’s not just the top line number that should worry Team Udall.

Udall’s unfavorables are the highest they’ve ever been at 43% and have increased a whopping five points since April. Ouch. Climbing unfavorables usually lead to declining head to head numbers. In other words, the higher the unfavorables go, the lower Udall’s ballot test numbers likely will be.

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1. BlueCat says:
  
  July 17, 2014 at 12:25 pm
  
  As opposed to the other day's polls? Fact is, it's now a tight race but I'm pretty confident that's going to change in Udall's favor in time for the mailing of the ballots. Looking forward to the Colorado GOTP embarrassing itself just like it did the last time Rs had a good election in most of the rest of the country. Now you can go back to where ever it is auto programs go to chill.
  
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  1. Moderatus says:
    
    July 17, 2014 at 12:32 pm
    
    You're deliberately missing the point. Gardner is now ahead of Udall, and the momentum is going our way. All you have to respond with is unfounded hopes.
    
    I'm hoping for change, and I think I'll get it this November.
    
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    1. Ralphie says:
      
      July 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm
      
      There is no point. And Gardner is ahead in one poll. But thanks for reminding me to send some money to Udall.
      
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    2. BlueCat says:
      
      July 17, 2014 at 12:35 pm
      
      I don't deliberately miss anything little program. That's your department.
      
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      1. Progressicat says:
        
        July 17, 2014 at 1:08 pm
        
        Neo: If I had to guess, I'd say you were a program, from the Machine world.
        
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    3. denverco says:
      
      July 17, 2014 at 12:40 pm
      
      Will you be watching the returns with President romney?
      
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      1. Diogenesdemar says:
        
        July 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
        
        I sure he'll be watching in state with Governor Gessler!
        
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        Progressicat says:
        
        July 17, 2014 at 1:08 pm
        
        Gessler 2014! Issues are for sissies!
        
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    4. Democrat1207 says:
      
      July 17, 2014 at 12:58 pm
      
      One poll that within the margin of error is not momentum, your hopes are the one unfounded.
      
      BTW like it was stated in the blog entry about this Q had Romeny ahead of Obama consistently, how did that turn out?
      
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2. dustpuppy says:
  
  July 17, 2014 at 2:41 pm
  
  I am taking Quinnipac with grain of salt.
  
  Then I saw another outlier by a well-known and documented right-wing pollster Gravis Marketing. Udall is defeating Gardner by a double digit margin and the Koch Brothers will have wasted their cash and exposed for complete fraud.
  
  The Republicans will be mud by November. Dead and ready to become extinct while new parties of even further-right idiots sprouts and becomes a permanent minority with nothing to gain.
  
  The Democratic House is looking more and more likely coming this November while the Republicans continue their internal civil war of idiocy, greed, religion and useless garbage.
  
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  1. Ralphie says:
    
    July 17, 2014 at 2:45 pm
    
    I'm taking them all with a grain of salt this far out, but this one shows a little motion since the last Q poll in April (I think that's when it was). Both then and now were within the MOE, though. No doubt it's going to be a close race, in part because Hick has alienated part of his base.
    
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    1. dustpuppy says:
      
      July 17, 2014 at 9:04 pm
      
      Yes, Frackenlooper alienated everyone again. This is why we don't have any choice but to reelect this moron again and thank $DIETY_OF_CHOICE that he's term limited.
      
      I am all for alternative energy and think solar and wind power have a future. Finite resources such as oil and gas do not.
      
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3. nota33 says:
  
  July 17, 2014 at 8:30 pm
  
  Gardner is a radical right wing extremist. He's going to lose to Udall. Just wait and see.
  
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Ralphie says:

July 17, 2014 at 12:51 pm

Naah, with Governor-elect Gessler.

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mamajama55 says:

July 17, 2014 at 9:11 pm

Both are important, and intertwined. For women,and working families in general, it's not possible to separate contraception and abortion (and affordable CHILDCARE and all-day kindergarten) from "Jobsjobsjobs".

As a young mom, I've had to turn down offered jobs because of the cost or unavailability of quality childcare, and that's a common experience. Many couples have to take opposite-shift jobs, just to be able to take care of their children without paying someone else the equivalent of a part time job to take care of their children. Elder care, for aging parents or disabled relatives, is an equally pressing concern.

A balanced approach is necessary. Udall does need to be talking jobs, and not just fricking fracking imaginary jobs.

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