Why exactly do you think Schaefer would have run behind Bush who won the state?
For the same reason that Coors ran behind Bush in Colorado. Even without Owens endorsement, Schaffer wouldn't have defeated Coors. Coors defeated Schaffer 61-39 in the primary but lost the general election to Salazar 51-47. Bush won Colorado 52-47. Some voters here either don't realize or don't subscribe to the philosophy that in politics, party trumps person, particularly when it comes to Federal office.