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Watch VideoTruth Check: A look at "Thanks Bob" Schaffer Ad
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Source: KOAA
As the political season gets in to high gear, we've already seen some political ads making claims -- some true, others not so much. So we're bringing back truth check, an ongoing series where we try to separate fact from fiction.
AD: “Today we have more charter schools thanks to Bob Schaffer.”
That's true. As a state senator, Schaffer was one of many original co-sponsors of the Colorado Charter Schools Act in 1993. Then in 1996, Schaffer co-sponsored additional legislation, which strengthened the original law. He currently serves as vice-chair of the State Board of Education and helped open Fort Collins' first charter school in 1997.
AD: “Thanks Bob Schaffer we couldn't have done it without you.
”That's not entirely true. Schaffer was just one of the players in the Colorado Charter Schools Act. It was sponsored by then Senator Bill Owens and Representative Peggy Kerns.
AD: “Bob Schaffer helped create the Colorado Charter School Act.”
Once again, that's true.
AD: “Tell Bob to keep giving us real education options.”
That’s subjective. What Schaffer would do to further education options as a U.S. senator is unclear. In addition to charter schools, Colorado students already may request admission into another school district, attend private school, or home school.
The text on the bottom of the ad says it was paid for a Virginia-based group called U.S. term limits. The group’s director, Philip Blumel, says they don't endorse candidates per se but reward officials for honoring term limits. During his first campaign, Schaffer promised to step-down after three terms in congress and he did.
U.S. Term Limits also says the ad was filmed in Colorado, and the students and parent are from Denver suburb charter school.
