U.S. Senate hopeful Bob Schaffer lit up the blogs Wednesday by saying that "when and if" he announces his candidacy next year, he would comment on the Piñon Canyon locals-vs.-Army controversy.

Schaffer's comment to the Pueblo Chieftan stunned Democrats and his fellow Republicans alike because Schaffer already has announced he is running and has been raising money for his campaign.

"Bob misspoke," said Walt Klein, Schaffer's political consultant.

Klein said the candidate realized it as soon as he read his own quote in Wednesday's paper. He said Schaffer meant his "official announcement" in 2008.

But even that explanation puzzled politicos because candidates rarely wait for an official announcement to take stands on issues.

For example, in 2005, the top gubernatorial candidates were polled about illegal immigration after the state Supreme Court rejected a ballot measure on the issue. All three responded although none formally announced until the next year.

Left-leaning blogs and groups posted the Chieftan article, with ColoradoPols.com calling Schaffer's comments "bizzare." A flury of unflattering comments followed.

The Army's proposal to triple the size of its Piñon Canyon training area to 654,000 acres has been a hot topic in southeastern Colorado. Many locals do not want to sell their land or see it condemned for the expansion.

Klein said Schaffer declined to say where he stands on the issue because he doesn't want to "inject himself in the process" until the "current process runs its course" in Congress.

The House took a vote in June, and the issue is now before the Senate.

Schaffer's Democratic opponent in the 2008 Senate race, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, said the Army has failed to make its case for needing more land.

Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, took a dig at Udall when asked about Schaffer's comments.

He said Schaffer "is in this race, period," and his ability to raise "$717,000 in just six weeks proves it."

"Only one candidate for the Colorado Senate seat has twice before been on the verge of getting into a Senate race and then backed away, and that candidate is not Schaffer," Wadhams said.

Udall toyed with running for the Senate in 2002 and briefly entered the 2004 Senate race, but then dropped out. Schaffer ran that year for the GOP nomination, but lost to Pete Coors.

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327