October 16, 2008 11:49 PM UTC

Bob Schaffer Demands His Notes

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE #2: At least three people have sent us links to replacement video (now posted below), and a local copy in case another attempt at removal is made. Seriously, trying to suppress it just makes it worse–don’t bother.

UPDATE: The video has been removed. Who got the lawyers involved?

We just got forwarded this hilarious clip from right before today’s debate between Senate candidates Mark Udall and Bob Schaffer, recorded at Denver’s Channel 7 studios:

According to the Udall campaign, the predefined rules for this debate called for neither candidate to use notes. The moderator calmly explains that Dick Wadhams got the letter with the rules. Schaffer wasn’t pleased–he even half-accused Channel 7 of setting him up. He obviously had no idea he was being recorded.

He’ll be even less pleased watching himself…

UPDATE #3: The Post’s Michael Riley writes for Politics West:

Taping of a debate between Colorado’s U.S. Senate candidates was delayed for about 30 minutes today as Republican Bob Schaffer argued with officials from KMGH Channel 7 over the use of notes.

Democrat Mark Udall said that he signed debate rules indicating that the two men competing to replace retiring Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, would not use props or notes. Former congressman Schaffer argued from the set that he knew nothing about those rules.

The standoff was ultimately broken by Udall, who offered what could go down as one of his best moments from any of the debates between the two men: “Look, let me say this,” Udall said. “I think this is fast paced. I think this is a test of your wits — it’s a test of what you have in your head. If Bob needs to have a few notes with him, fine. But I’m here with an empty pad and let’s go. Let’s debate.”

Now-dead original: