For Immediate Release - Monday July 28th, 2008

Contact: Tara Trujillo, 303.820.2008(o)

IN SECOND DEBATE, UDALL STANDS WITH COLORADANS FOR LOWER GAS PRICES, SCHAFFER STANDS WITH OIL COMPANIES

Debate Makes Contrast Clear - Udall's Plan to Lower Prices for Coloradans vs. Schaffer's Plan to Raise Profits for Oil Companies

DENVER - U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall delivered a clear choice to Colorado voters in today's second debate of the campaign, taped at the FOX 31 studios - the Udall plan to lower gas prices immediately, break America's dependence on foreign oil, and create jobs in Colorado, or the Schaffer plan to drive profits even higher for big oil companies while Colorado families get no relief at the pump.

"It was clear from today's debate that Mark Udall is committed to real, immediate gas price relief and energy independence for America, while Bob Schaffer is only committed to putting more money in the pockets of the oil companies who are making record-breaking profits at the expense of Colorado families," said Udall spokeswoman Tara Trujillo.

Udall outlined his comprehensive plan to lower gas prices immediately through increases in domestic drilling, cracking down on speculation and price manipulation schemes on Wall Street, and easing supply pressures by releasing some oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve - a move Congressional Republicans blocked just last week. Udall also called for reducing gas prices and breaking America's dependence on foreign oil through investing in renewable energy sources like wind, solar and bio-fuels that create jobs and economic growth right here in Colorado, as well as improvements in energy conservation, increases in fuel efficiency standards for cars, and a renewed focus on energy from nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas technologies.

Udall's comprehensive plan to lower gas prices for Coloradans - backed by his career-long record as a national leader on energy policy - stood in stark contrast to Bob Schaffer's insistence on more hand-outs to an oil industry that continues to rake in record-breaking profits while families struggle, and more lockstep marching with the Bush/Cheney energy policy that created the gas price crisis in the first place. Throughout his career, Schaffer has consistently stood against investments in renewable energy, alternative fuels, and fuel efficiency that could have moved America towards energy independence.

"Bob Schaffer proved again today that, just as he has his entire career, he'll always put Big Oil first, even when it means Colorado families lose," said Trujillo. "After eight years of that kind of politics, all we've got is $4 per gallon gas and no end in sight. We deserve someone standing up for Colorado, not special interests, and Mark Udall proved today that he's the only candidate in this race who will do that.

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