Video: Udall’s Day Off
posted at 10:05 am on August 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
The NRSC released this ad earlier this week for the Colorado race to replace the retiring Senator Wayne Allard. Rep. Mark Udall wants to join Ken Salazar and make both of Colorado’s Senate seats Democratic, but Udall may find that more difficult after his inaction in the face of Nancy Pelosi’s ramrodding of adjournment in the House. Earlier last week, Udall promised to block adjournment until a vote was take on drilling — and then he went AWOL when the vote occurred:
The NRSC needs to trim this down to a 60-second spot to run in the state after the conventions. This may be one of the most effective ads I’ve seen in a while. The look on Mark Udall’s face as he watches for the camera in the airport? Priceless.
Republicans need to make energy policy a theme in every single Congressional race. This is an excellent template for other GOP candidates for the House and Senate to use. A vote for a Democrat in any race is a vote for the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and a vote to keep America’s resources locked away from Americans while we beg the Saudis for more of their oil.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
That’s devastating.
forest on August 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
He could have just voted “Present”, rather than going AWOL. I hear that’s the way all the really principled guys do it.
a capella on August 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Gotcha Udall……
Gotcha
jake-the-goose on August 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Start the ads on Democratic inaction regarding energy policy TODAY!
Every single Republican should be hammering this issue daily for the entire 5-week recess, and through the election.
rockbend on August 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
looks like that 60′s film of bigfoot.
thankful on August 6, 2008 at 10:13 AM
That’s a gem. Buh Bye Mark
marklmail on August 6, 2008 at 10:15 AM
What a gutless punk. Laying down for Madame Pelosi.
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Really, really, Really good. The credits at the end crunched, like broken promises under his 5-week vacation deck shoes, too.
RushBaby on August 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Awesome.
CP on August 6, 2008 at 10:18 AM
It would seem that democrats are their own worst enemy. Writing checks with their mouths that their bottoms have no intention of covering.
Engrpat on August 6, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Wow. Udall torpedoed himself. Heh.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Douche. Just another one of our scumbag polticians – retire him, Colorado. He’s a liar and a fraud.
As for the ad, too much melodrama, too long. Needs a clearer take of him claiming that he will vote against adjournment, and less of local Fox News nitwits hyperventilating.
Jaibones on August 6, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I be he supports drilling per le Madame’s instructions.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Ouch.
AZCoyote on August 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Yes they do need to make energy policy the theme in every Congressional Race. It wouldn’t hurt for George W Bush to come out and make some noise on their behalf. This is an opportunity for his legacy, and to stop the Republican’s losses that started back in Nov 2006.
I know this a political struggle btw Pelosi and Bush, she wanted a downturn in the economy to help the Dem Canidate get elected. The Republicans now are going to use this for their advantage. Pelosi isn’t as good at Politics as her counter parts, they are way out in front of her. Pelosi doesn’t know how to be flexible, she is too RIDGED all or nothing behavior has gotten the Dems ZIP. By this time Bill Clinton would have adopted the Republican position and worked out a compromise.
Dr Evil on August 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Udall is running for Senate. Who’s running to replace Udall in the House? They could certainly use this, too.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I agree – pare it down to 30 seconds and run it on TV. The longer version is probably good for the internet.
forest on August 6, 2008 at 10:26 AM
That may be the most devastating political ad I’ve ever seen. He’s toast.
Matticus Finch on August 6, 2008 at 10:31 AM
That, my good sir, is your a$$.
RobertInAustin on August 6, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I live in Colorado and have not seen add until now, way to go. He also go his clock cleaned in the first debate.
KBird on August 6, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Somehow I got on Mark Udall’s email list a long time ago. It’s a joke what this guy is trying to take credit for and what he’s trying to run away from. Oddly enough I haven’t heard much from him lately.
This could be edited into the best campaign ad we have seen in a very long time. It’s a game changer.
rockmom on August 6, 2008 at 10:32 AM
This point needs to be driven home, over and over again.
A vote for any Democrat, is a vote for the current Democratic leadership team. It doesn’t matter how you feel about your personal represenative or senator.
We need to make sure that Pelosi and Reid are tied firmly and completely to every Democratic candidate.
Much as they are still trying to do with Bush and Cheney.
MarkTheGreat on August 6, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Better put some ice on that congressman! LMAO!!!
sabbott on August 6, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I remember how effective the GOP was at using a one-vote margin that approved Bill Clinton’s massive tax increase in 1994. That one vote cost many Democrats their seats because the Republicans ran ads in dozens of districts saying “Congressman X’s vote means you’re going to pay more taxes this year.” The NRCC and NRSC have a golden opportunity now to use this vote the same way.
rockmom on August 6, 2008 at 10:35 AM
The problem is a similar ad could be produced of our poor president flying off to hold hands with the ChiComms while the pump price keeps rolling and congress is NOT called back into session…sigh…
sabbott on August 6, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Yeah. The video of Schaffer using Udall’s words against him was, in a word, Priceless.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I live in Colorado as well, and this is the first I’ve heard about this…
This should be a National story… someone send it to Fox.
Romeo13 on August 6, 2008 at 10:39 AM
The fact that the vote to adjourn passed by one vote means that we can hang the vote on every congressman who voted for the resolution or who missed the vote.
If the RNC fails to make hay out of this, then they are as incompetant as most of us have feared.
MarkTheGreat on August 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Now that’s funny.
*Geico field investigator voiceover* “we’re tracking the ever so elusive – ‘Mark Udall’. Some say, that he can be seen leaving the capitol in washington, and we might be able to catch a glimpse of him in or about his office.” *Wild shots of a busy capitol building and halls, Mark Udall nowhere to be seen*
“But now,” *On camera, wearing a safari jacket* “We have followed a rather intrepid crowd of people staked out at the Colorado airport. They are holding signs, and chanting. It’s extraordinary!”
*Cut to a brief shot of Mark Udall, running away from the people, looking over his shoulder*
“But now, it seems that he WAS spotted! Just look at this footage, that shows Mark Udall, if only for a fleeting few seconds!” *replay of shaky camera shot, slowed down, as the announcer continues* “It’s difficult to make out, but it seems that Mark Udall is indeed starting his 5 week vacation …. “
wise_man on August 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Pelosi must have tight reins on the House to have the vote so close. She lets as many as possible of her side vote against her to look good, while preserving her vacation.
jgapinoy on August 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
That’s great story line vid. Long enough for producer or politician website, but it needs more snap for YouTube. They could easily trim it down to 2 minutes for that without losing much except pauses for effect.
This must be the core of the Republican strategy and it’s something I’ve said from the beginning. Every Republican challenger should be making a trip to the House to show their ‘Solidarność’ with Republican members fighting for the people’s right to be free from the economic strangulation being imposed by the Pelosi Politburo.
Boehner ought to be announcing every day how many Dems have signed the discharge petition. He ought to also start a petition for a special session. He ought to up the ante by telling the Dems, if they are too indifferent to the plight of their constituents to come to Washington now, then at least they could send a signed affidavit that they will sign the discharge petition when they get there for the reopened special session.
And get every Republican House challenger to down there to join the fight, get some face time and mention in the local papers, radio and tv, and make some vids.
Dusty on August 6, 2008 at 10:41 AM
That video was a GREAT production. I think the RNC NEEDS to send more work to that production company. Great job.
jlemieu1 on August 6, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Fantastic ad! It’s got great production values and is beautifully presented. The best part about it is that it’s not a personal attack and doesn’t depend on twisting the facts. It’s just shining a very bright light on a politician promising something to benefit himself and then blatantly violating the promise. He should be toast in this election.
Jill1066 on August 6, 2008 at 10:48 AM
You do realize that by bashing Udall, you are slapping John McCain in the face?? Mo Udall, father of Mike Udall, was the young McCains professed mentor during his early years in the legislature.
captivated_dem on August 6, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Bush did his part. He removed the executive ban and called for congress to do the same. Even if he did call congress back into session, he does not control the agenda. Pelosi and the democrats would sit and do nothing.
I’d be interested in how an ad by the dems criticizing Bush on this would go.
“Waahhhhhh, we couldn’t pass legislation because the evil Bushitler wouldn’t call us back from our vacation! Waahhhhhh!”
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Was he paid to bug out?
OldEnglish on August 6, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Guess the younger Udall should have listened to dad about keeping promises and not throwing your political fortunes away by caving to Nancy Pelosi.
Ain’t a slap to McCain, this one’s all on Udall.
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I agree. Whoever made that ad needs to be front and center for the GOP’s advertising team.
jimmy the notable on August 6, 2008 at 10:56 AM
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ED.
for getting some national pub for this ( and locally as well)
.
Udall , a BOULDER LIBERAL. need I say more?
.
The only thing scarier than a Pres bh obama is…
SALAZAR and UDALL, both senators in COLORADO.
It is chilling.
shooter on August 6, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I agree with with your first comment. Your second one was not well founded.
captivated_dem on August 6, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I guess you would have to make that connection, then. How does being the son of the mentor of McCain reflect badly on McCain? Or are you saying that Big Mo Udall controls his children AND McCain, even though they are both independent persons with differing points of view on government? Is that what you’re saying?
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 11:18 AM
In this case, the sons are nothing like the father. Mo Udall had a spine. His sons don’t.
rockmom on August 6, 2008 at 11:24 AM
For a moment, I thought this was a trailer for Harry Potter.
Well, what a liar; but what else could anyone expect from the DNC?
madmonkphotog on August 6, 2008 at 11:24 AM
You are taking this to a guilt by association vein. Is it possible that Mcain just might have friendships that go beyond politics and by all the knee jerk snark going on here, you all could be inadvertantly insulting McCain, by not doing your research? That’s what I’m saying, not what you are thinking.
captivated_dem on August 6, 2008 at 11:29 AM
We should put these stickers on gas pumps around the country so folks know who to blame.
Texas Rainmaker on August 6, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I think that outside of politics, conservatives, liberals and John McCain can be friends. They can even back each other up. But when a politician states on camera that they will do something, then doesn’t do it, you can bet that the opposition is going to notice and take action.
And don’t worry, when conservatives insult McCain, it’ll be intentional.
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 11:35 AM
LOL!
wise_man on August 6, 2008 at 11:38 AM
For all things Udall (and his GOP opponent, Bob Schaffer) visit SchaffervUdall.
We’ve been all over Mark for his failure to show for his promised vote on the resolution, and not the vote he did show up for later.
213-212. Votes matter, Rep. Udall. So do promises.
elpresidente on August 6, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I’ve noticed. Ha!
Slate had an article back in April that gave people a look at a side of John McCain, they might not be aware of. Search “The great John McCain story you’ve probably forgotten”. It’s a tad emotive. I’ll just leave it at that.
captivated_dem on August 6, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I called it a couple of days ago. The GOP set them up. The vote mentioned in the ad (213-212 for adjournment) could have been tied by the Republican whip Roy Blunt. I think Blunt missed the vote purposely to pave the way for ads like these. They had the votes they needed and peeled off 17 Democrats that voted against adjournment.
The GOP gave the Dems enough rope to hang themselves. Awesome.
Theworldisnotenough on August 6, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Buy the ad time. Run the whole ad. 3:20 of well produced timely, issue based politics. Character matters. Skipping votes is politics as usual, not a testament to character or integrity. Udall is down. Udall is down. Tough times and tough issues call for tough leadership, not family names. Mark Udall is a failure.
Angry Dumbo on August 6, 2008 at 11:55 AM
What a great job.
I feel like I just watched “Gladiator”.
Rogue Traveler on August 6, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Yeah, I’d read that article. Conservatives “get it” that McCain is no conservative and that he tends to reach across the aisle on more than one occasion. No problem with that. I agree with Kennedy on a precious few items, and have been known to be shocked when I agree with my liberal congressmonkey. That doesn’t mean I won’t go after them when they screw up.
Udall screwed up. Not admitting it means that he forgot some of the most important lessons Daddy taught him.
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 12:02 PM
As far as the ad goes, the only thing I would have done is added Ben Stein’s voice over: “Udall? Udall? Udall?”
Would have been great.
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 12:04 PM
“Let’s see…attend fundraiser or carry out my responsibility to my constituents? Hmmmm. Dilemma. (Snort! Giggle! Guffaw!)”
HEADLINE: LYING LEFTY STINKBAG BEHAVES PREDICTABLY.
whitetop on August 6, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Great ad, shot well, a little long near the end, but man that is one of the best ads I’ve seen
spacekicker on August 6, 2008 at 12:51 PM
The good thing is that Udall is a formidable opponent. He walks and talks like a conservative and his website prominently shows about hunting and the Military.
WoosterOh on August 6, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Now that’s going to leave a mark…
Think_b4_speaking on August 6, 2008 at 1:27 PM
I would do that, if the stickers cited politicians or congress rather than democrats. Not that I like the dems, but the repubs had control of congress for a Looooooonnnnnngggg time and should have taken care of this years ago. Plus, if you put out a partisan sticker, you automatically lose 50% of the people from your cause.
samuelrylander on August 6, 2008 at 1:50 PM
If what you’re saying is true, then I wouldn’t call that awesome. I would call it despicable. What you seem to be saying is that as a result of politicians jockeying for politcal power, we still haven’t addressed a key issue.
That’s horrible.
samuelrylander on August 6, 2008 at 1:53 PM
5 weeks vacation at a time? I want to be a Congressman. I could do it better, hell, anybody here could.
Geronimo on August 6, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Maybe I’m missing something here. The vote was 213-212? Then why does the Final vote results show 213-197 with Blunt voting against adjournment?
Enlighten me, please.
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Someone should estimate how much the average Colorado citizen will be paying for gas for this 5-week period x the number of people in his district, and create an ad revealing “The Cost of Udall’s Vacation.” …complete with pump digital read-out whizzing by to the grand total.
MsUnderestimated on August 6, 2008 at 2:35 PM
samuelrylander,
The Republicans tried to fix this problem. But they did not have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate.
Every bill passed the house, but was filibustered to death in the Senate.
MarkTheGreat on August 6, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Wowweeweewow…that was tasty, but I agree: shorten it and run it nationwide.
I liked his dad (I assume) as a Prez candidate when I was a major lefty college student, but Mark seems to lack Mo-mentum. N’yuck, n’yuck.
Christine on August 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Turn it into a template add for EVERY stinking democrat in congress. Just the gas ticker alone could be used as a great backdrop to mere dialogue about our WORTHLESS democrat senators and congressmen from WA State – who think ultra high gas prices are, well, “a good thing!”
warriorlawyer on August 6, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Just you wait, the Republicans will snatch defeat out of the mouth of victory.
TimothyJ on August 6, 2008 at 5:21 PM
There were two adjournment votes one on Wednesday one on Friday. Check the Wednesday vote.
Theworldisnotenough on August 6, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Awesome.
Better us than them and better another Republican coming out of Colorado and keeping the state red this fall. Udall could have voted you know. But then we’d having nothing to talk about.
I’d love to be all polyanna about politics but it is the most vicious occupation we have, so ya might as well win.
We the people should have been holding the GOP much more accountable when they were in power and we would not be fighting uphill now. If it takes some chicanery then so be it.
Theworldisnotenough on August 6, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Thanks! Now, why were there two votes?
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Thanks! But, why were there votes on Wednesday and on Friday? If the first one passed…and it appears they had a quorum…
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Yeah, that’s just what we need. After all, Salazar’s done such a bang-up job so far…
realitycheck on August 6, 2008 at 8:22 PM