missed vote

In Colorado's closely-watched U.S. Senate race, it's been a bad week for liberal Democrat Mark Udall. Here's a quick rundown:

1. Coming off the first candidate debate in which he was soundly put on the defensive by Republican Bob Schaffer, Mark Udall appeared to come out a little stronger at Monday's recording of a televised debate. But that all would wash away.

2. At the debate, Mark Udall accepted Bob Schaffer's challenge and promised to vote against a resolution that would adjourn Congress without addressing domestic energy shortages.

3. The very next day, Mark Udall showed up late in Washington after some private campaign fundraising and missed the adjournment resolution vote, which passed 213-212. The Lefty spin machine later tried to excuse Udall by pointing out that he got to participate in the final adjournment vote, but missed the irony in their claim.

4. The Bob Schaffer campaign began pressing Mark Udall to release the names of private donors who were more important than the Coloradans to whom he made the promise.

5. A third consecutive poll was released showing Mark Udall's once significant lead has disappeared and the race in a statistical dead heat.

6. An outside group began airing ads on local TV networks exposing Mark Udall's less-than-conservative record on taxes. As we now like to say at Schaffer v Udall: "The only place Mark Udall wants to drill is your wallet."

All in one week.