Messaging tips for Udall

In Colorado, the debate is currently all about gas prices. On the one hand, the Republican candidate, Bob Schaffer has previously been employed by an energy company. He supports domestic drilling. On the other hand, Democratic candidate Mark Udall supports an increased focus on developing alternative energy sources.

In this back and forth, here is the quote from the Udall campaign that caught my eye:

Udall campaign spokeswoman: “While Mark Udall is working to lower gas prices, Bob Schaffer was taking close to $400,000 a year from the oil and gas industry he worked for. Now we know why gas prices are so high,”

The messages that campaigns use have to make basic sense to voters if they have a chance of resonating. The Udall campaign is asking voters to believe that Schaffer’s former affiliation with an energy company is the reason why we have high gas prices. How many voters will belief that?

Let’s change the Udall response: “”While Mark Udall is working to lower gas prices, Bob Schaffer was taking close to $400,000 a year from the oil and gas industry he worked for. Who do you trust to fight against high gas prices?”

Or maybe end with, “Voters just can’t trust Big Oil Bob to put their interests ahead of oil companies”

Can voters be convinced that Republicans are the ones raising gas prices? Maybe. Can voters be convinced that Republican will do nothing to alleviate the pain caused by high gas prices? Absolutely.