Brandon Shaffer's willingness to leave supporters for greener pastures is offensive
UPDATE 2/3/2012: Shaffer is staying on to fight Cory Gardner
On Tuesday, the Denver Post reported that Brandon Shaffer is considering running in the 6th District against Mike Coffman, instead of remaining in the 4th District race against Cory Gardner. Shaffer is polling in the 6th and said he "will not rule anything out." Craig Hughes, his campaign adviser, says Shaffer is "'a long way from making that decision' about becoming a candidate for the 6th." Maybe Shaffer should have made that decision before taking thousands from people hoping he would put up a fight against Cory Gardner.
When someone asks if you are considering leaving your supporters, leaving the people who have given money and time to your campaign, there is just one acceptable answer: "No! I am committed to representing the people of my community, who I have lived and worked with for years. I would never consider moving my campaign merely because it might advance my political ambitions." That was not Shaffer’s answer.
After playing on people's hopes, taking people's money, and taking people's time, now is not the time to make a decision about which race to be in. Many of us invested a lot in a candidate that would fight the hypocrisy of Cory Gardner's "representation" and now are being betrayed by Shaffer's political aspirations.
The fact that Shaffer is considering changing races shows his selfish priorities, which are clearly not with the people he claims to want to represent. I think we know the answer to the most important question we can ask a candidate: "Why are you running for Congress?" Brandon Shaffer's answer would be because Brandon Shaffer wants a better job. That doesn't help the rest of us.
If Shaffer’s supporters and neighbors in the 4th District cannot trust him, certainly the people of the 6th District cannot either. The 6th District already has a good candidate in Joe Miklosi, who has been fighting Mike Coffman since long before Shaffer thought it might be an easier route to Congress. While Shaffer is committed only to his own interests, Miklosi is committed to fighting for the people of the District and to defeating Mike Coffman.
I’ve been frustrated with Shaffer for a while, but this showing of contempt for those that trusted in him is the last straw. Shaffer has admitted that he will make a decision that he thinks is best for Brandon Shaffer, without caring one bit what is better for those that have supported him and given him money.
Say what you will about his lack of ethics, but at least Cory Gardner votes for the special interests that give him money. Shaffer, on the other hand, is so focused on himself that he'll gladly walk away from anyone – supporter or neighbor – who helps him.
People have given Shaffer money not because they all think that Brandon Shaffer deserves to be a Congressman, but because they want him to fight Cory Gardner. If Shaffer walks away from the 4th, will he offer refunds to the people that put their trust in him?