Ensign says offshore oil drilling issue helping Schaffer

National Republican Senatorial Committee chair John Ensign (R-Nev.) argued today that Republicans were on the right side of the issue on offshore oil drilling and said the issue was helping the party gain traction in Colorado’s competitive Senate race.

In a conference call with reporters today, Ensign pointed to a July 24 Quinnipiac poll showing Republican Bob Schaeffer and U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-Boulder) in a dead heat for the seat of outgoing U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Fort Collins). An April Quinnipiac poll, Ensign noted, showed Udall with an advantage of about 10 percent.

“From a political standpoint, Republicans are on the right side of this issue and Democrats are on the wrong side,” said Ensign. “Bottom line: Across the board, this is becoming a very good issue for us.”

Ensign also said the issue was helping Republican Senate candidates in New Hampshire and Louisiana.

Energy was the focus of Monday evening’s debate between Schaffer and Udall, with Schaffer pushing for oil exploration in Alaska and Udall advocating for greater use of renewable sources.

The race is widely seen as one of the most competitive Senate contests in the country. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as a “Tossup.”