Sen. Udall, Rep. Gardner stick to talking points in Pueblo

Sen. Mark Udall and Rep. Cory Gardner stuck to their usual talking points Thursday night, as they squared off at Memorial Hall for their third debate of the week.

Gardner criticized Udall for the approach he’s taken during his re-election campaign.

“Sen. Udall, you have run this entire campaign as a social issue warrior,” Gardner said. “Because he can’t talk about the economy. He can’t talk about energy.”

Udall replied, “Congressman, it sure takes brass. You’re the social issues warrior. You’ve spent your entire political career trying to limit the rights of women in Colorado and around the nation.”

The stakes are high for both parties, as Republicans work to gain control of the U.S. Senate.

“We’ve gotta get good senators up there. We gotta get the majority back and we’ve gotta get some control back,” said Betsy Hall, a Gardner supporter in the crowd.

But Democrats worry having Republicans in control would set the country back.

“I think women’s rights, on so many levels, is really impeded upon. They don’t want to move forward with science,” said Jeremy Lundblade, a Udall supporter.

Udall criticized Gardner for voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act more than 50 times.

“Congressman, since you brought it up, what are you going to tell the 400,000 Coloradans who now have affordable, quality health care,” Udall said.

But Gardner said Udall’s support of the Affordable Care Act is another example of Udall’s close relationship with the president.

“While you vote with Obama, I’ll vote for Colorado,” Gardner said.