Author Archives: ProgressNow Colorado

Congrats Sen. Pat Steadman, Colorado’s “Champion of Change”

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Wed May 22, 2013 at 1:21 PM MDT

Colorado Sen. Pat Steadman is being recognized today at the White House as a "Harvey Milk Champion of Change." From Fox 31:

Over the last few years, as LGBT advocates have pushed for a new civil unions law, many of them lauded the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Pat Steadman, a long-time lobbyist on equality issues, as “Colorado’s own Harvey Milk.”

…The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White house to feature groups of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

In 1992, Steadman organized the lawsuit challenging “Amendment 2,” the voter-approved anti-gay initiative that made Colorado known for a time as the “Hate State”; the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the statute in 1996 in the landmark Romer v. Evans ruling.

The civil unions legislation was finally passed this year and signed into law in March.

Thank you, Sen. Steadman, for decades spent fighting for equality for every Colorado family! Your work honors Harvey Milk's legacy every day.


Full story: Congrats Sen. Pat Steadman, Colorado’s “Champion of Change”

IRS Sent Same Letters To Liberal Groups (Like Us)

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Wed May 15, 2013 at 11:56 AM MDT

(This doesn't jive with the outrage – promoted by Colorado Pols)

The ProgressNow family of state organizations has been around since 2004, and we at ProgressNow Colorado were the first such organization of what now comprises over 20 state affiliates–all focused on our common goal of providing solutions to community problems, and holding the right wing accountable at the state level.

As reports continue over alleged abuses by the Internal Revenue Service "targeting" conservative groups, the experience of our Texas state affiliate Progress Texas is highly instructive–and raises questions about whether there were partisan intentions in play at all in the IRS's scrutiny of groups applying for the appropriate status under the tax code. ProgressNow state affiliates are not generally known as "conservative." 

(more…)


Full story: IRS Sent Same Letters To Liberal Groups (Like Us)

Winners and Losers of the 2013 Legislative Session

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Wed May 8, 2013 at 2:22 PM MDT

(Here come the recaps – Promoted by Colorado Pols)

This year's session of the Colorado General Assembly was truly historic. After two years of divided control and stagnation in the legislature, a large backlog of high-priority, common-sense reforms awaited lawmakers in January. Working tirelessly in the face of right-wing obstruction, smear campaigns, and even threats of violence, the progressive majorities in the Colorado House and Senate passed historic legislation to create jobs and boost Colorado's economy, to preserve public safety, to make great strides toward equality for every Colorado family, and to give all children in Colorado the education they deserve.

As we bring to a close the most successful and productive legislative session anyone can remember in Colorado, here are some of the highlights–and the disgraces–that we'll be talking about for years to come. 

(more…)


Full story: Winners and Losers of the 2013 Legislative Session

Join us and a panel of experts for “The United States of ALEC”

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Tue March 19, 2013 at 12:47 PM MDT

For years, we at ProgressNow Colorado have been tracking the influence of a secretive conservative organization known as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Recent scandals in other states have resulted in an uncomfortably higher profile for this organization, which has operated in Colorado for decades with very little attention.

The United States of ALEC is a documentary, narrated by Bill Moyers, that reports on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us have never heard of. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a "nonpartisan public-private partnership." But behind that lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge.

Click here to join Colorado Common Cause and ProgressNow Colorado for a screening of this important documentary.

In state houses around the country including Colorado, hundreds of pieces of boilerplate ALEC legislation are proposed or enacted that would, among other things, dilute collective bargaining rights, make it harder for some Americans to vote, and limit corporate liability for harm caused to consumers–each accomplished without the public ever knowing who's behind it.

Using interviews, documents, and field reports, the the documentary explores ALEC's self-serving machine at work, acting in a way one Wisconsin politician describes as "a corporate dating service for lonely legislators and corporate special interests."

WHAT: The United States of ALEC Screening Event
WHEN: March 26th 6-8pm
WHERE: Denver Post Auditorium
101 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO, 80202 (map)

Panelists

Elena Nunez, Colorado Common Cause (Moderator)
Tony Salazar, Colorado Education Association
Conservation Colorado
Sean Hinga, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Kirpal Singh, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Alan Franklin, ProgressNow Colorado

To RSVP, click here.


Full story: Join us and a panel of experts for “The United States of ALEC”

Tell Gov. Hickenlooper: drop the threats, protect our communities

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Thu February 28, 2013 at 10:01 AM MDT

hickthreats.jpgLocal communities in Colorado have begun to take action to protect schools, businesses, and neighborhoods from the harmful effects of a controversial oil and gas extraction method called “fracking.” Unfortunately, Gov. John Hickenlooper has announced his intention to sue any local government in the state that bans fracking.

That’s wrong. If local communities want to protect their homes, businesses and families from fracking in their neighborhoods, shouldn’t Gov. Hickenlooper stand with them?

Click here to tell Gov. Hickenlooper to back off his threat to sue city and county governments for voting to protect their residents from fracking.

Energy production is an important part of Colorado’s economy. Striking the right balance between developing these natural resources, and protecting Colorado’s environment and public health, is one of the most important debates taking place in our state today.

Two Colorado cities, Longmont and Fort Collins, have voted to ban the practice of fracking within their city limits. This week, Gov. Hickenlooper agreed in an interview that his policy would be “to go around the state and sue every city and county that passes a ban” on fracking. [1]

The Governor of Colorado should stand up for Colorado citizens and local governments, not oil companies. The weak rules protecting local communities passed by Hickenlooper’s administration with regard to space between drilling operations and homes, as well as water quality testing requirements, are not enough–that’s why municipalities like Longmont and Fort Collins have been forced to take action.

Click here: tell Gov. Hickenlooper to stop threatening local communities, and to start protecting them. Progressives supported Hickenlooper’s election in 2010, and he needs to know we’re paying attention now. 

Thanks for doing your part.


Full story: Tell Gov. Hickenlooper: drop the threats, protect our communities

WATCH: Rep. Beth McCann reads messages from Colorado progressives in support of reducing gun violence

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Sun February 17, 2013 at 8:19 AM MDT

In the video clip above, Rep. Beth McCann reads letters submitted by ProgressNow Colorado members in support of legislation to reduce gun violence during Friday's all-day debate in the Colorado House. Hear from moms, neighbors, and yes, gun owners and NRA members–all calling for sensible legislation to protect our communities.

Our thanks go out to Rep. McCann for giving voice to progressives from across the state who support legislation to reduce gun violence.


Full story: WATCH: Rep. Beth McCann reads messages from Colorado progressives in support of reducing gun violence

Colorado Progressives Speak Out To Reduce Gun Violence

1
  by: ProgressNow Colorado Thu February 14, 2013 at 12:46 PM MDT

Reps. McCann and Fields receive ProgressNow Colorado's petit
Representatives Beth McCann and Rhonda Fields receive comments from ProgressNow Colorado members in support of proposed legislation to reduce gun violence. Photo by ProgressNow Colorado

As pro-gun lobbyists continue their duplicitous attacks against legislation before the Colorado General Assembly to reduce gun violence, ProgressNow Colorado, the state's largest online progressive advocacy organization, delivered hundreds of messages in support of this legislation to the bills' sponsors fighting to win passage.

"Despite the intense campaign from the gun lobby against these common-sense bills, I've heard from so many Coloradans who understand what we are trying to do," said Rep. Rhonda Fields. "I'm thankful for the support of Colorado progressives as we take these important steps to reduce gun violence."

"Pro-gun lobbyists and dishonest Republican officials have egregiously misinformed the public on what these bills would actually do," said ProgressNow Colorado political director Alan Franklin. "It's been an uphill battle against the gun lobby's limitless financial resources and lack of scruples when it comes to misleading their supporters about proposed legislation. Fortunately, Colorado progressives are not fooled, and stand with our legislators as they work to make our state a safer place."

Here are just a few of the many comments received from Colorado progressives in support of legislation to reduce gun violence:

Tracy in Denver: "I wholly support the introduction and passage of the proposed legislation on background checks, mental health support, banning high capacity magazines, and bringing together responsible parties to act responsibly in regard to certain firearms."

Randy in Highlands Ranch: "It is time for the Colorado legislature to put the safety of our citizens before the demands of the NRA."

David in Gunnison: "I'm a gun owner, hunter, and have no qualms about the ideas such as restricting high-capacity magazines, or some kinds of 'assault weapons,' requiring background checks of gun purchases in any venue, or similar measures to help reduce use of guns in crimes of violence."

Philip in Boulder: "It is time for sensible controls to help minimize future gun violence. As someone who has known people killed from both gun accidents, as well as gun violence, I encourage you to pass reasonable reforms."

Pamela in Denver: "We need a voice of reason with all the violence in not only mass shootings, but also those that occur every day in our cities."

Alberta in Black Forest: "These are all common sense solutions to the problem of gun violence. And none of these pieces of legislation will prevent any law-abiding citizen of Colorado from owning or purchasing a gun."

Patricia in Fort Collins: "These eight measures do not prevent me or you from purchasing or owning a firearm as long as we are not mentally or physically dangerous to ourselves or other people. These measures are long overdue and I hope you will support them."

Mark in Littleton: "These are common sense measures that don't restrict legitimate gun ownership. It is high time that the responsibility of gun ownership matched the right of gun ownership."

John in Durango: "Let's avoid the baseless hysteria and deliberate distortions that seem to dominate political discussion these days and adopt ALL eight of these common sense measures to reduce gun violence. The time is now."

Phyllis in Hesperus: "It seems that any legislation about guns, ammunition, registration or control, sets the NRA and many gun owners in a tizzy, thinking it is a direct attack on them and a plot to remove their weapons and their right to own weapons. If they would control their temper and read the proposals they would see the fairness and need to protect innocent people from gun violence. Please take action and protect innocent people of all ages from the shattering gun violence that has affected so many lives."

In addition to written petition comments, ProgressNow Colorado members have begun to directly reach out to their legislators by phone via online integrated contact tools, hoping to counter to flood of calls from opponents.

"These are just a few of the hundreds of heartfelt messages we've received in support of proposed legislation to reduce gun violence in Colorado," said ProgressNow Colorado's Franklin. "The gun lobby may be adept at scaring and lying to their supporters to turn them out for protests, but an objective and sober look at these proposals makes it clear that no one is trying to take away the rights of law-abiding Coloradans to possess guns. Colorado progressives urge our legislators to not be fooled or intimidated by the gun lobby or their misinformed pawns–and to stand firm on the side of reducing the scourge of gun violence in our state."


Full story: Colorado Progressives Speak Out To Reduce Gun Violence

Gov. Hickenlooper, we have a problem

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Tue January 15, 2013 at 1:58 PM MDT

With a new progressive majority in the Colorado House, and new progressive leaders in our state boldly tackling the big problems, we at ProgressNow Colorado are excited about where Colorado is headed in 2013.

But we’ve got a problem, and we need your help.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has proven to be a friend of progressives on many issues: basic rights for committed gay and lesbian couples, expanding access to health care, reducing violent gun crime, and providing a great education for all of Colorado’s students. But on the issue of oil and gas development and fracking, Gov. Hickenlooper has repeatedly sided with the oil and gas industry against protection for Coloradans. Last year, Gov. Hickenlooper even starred in a pro-oil industry ad that falsely claimed fracking has not resulted in groundwater contamination. (1)

hickenergy.jpg

Colorado is in the midst of an energy boom made possible by an extraction method for oil and gas called fracking. Energy production is an important part of Colorado’s economy. Striking the right balance between developing these natural resources, and protecting Colorado’s water supplies and communities, is one of the most important debates taking place today.

Click here to respectfully tell Gov. Hickenlooper to stand up for Colorado’s water and families, not out-of-state energy companies.

Earlier this month, Hickenlooper’s administration approved new groundwater testing and setback (minimum distance from existing structures) rules that fail, according to many experts, to adequately protect Colorado families from the harmful effects of oil and gas production near their homes. Some of these new rules, like a far less comprehensive water testing regimen, appear to be outright giveaways to energy companies at the expense of the health and safety of Coloradans. (2)

At ProgressNow Colorado, we applaud Gov. Hickenlooper for the things he has done right, but we can’t ignore his blind spot on conservation issues any longer. Click here to send a message to Gov. Hickenlooper right now, asking him to stop siding with energy interests over the interests of local communities threatened by drilling across the state.

We all know that energy production is going to happen. Working together, let’s make sure it’s done responsibly–and that our families and other irreplaceable resources are protected. Thank you for doing your part.




Full story: Gov. Hickenlooper, we have a problem

Two Ways Tipton on Colorado’s environment

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Wed October 10, 2012 at 8:08 PM MDT

(Edited for front page… – promoted by ClubTwitty)



twtiptonenv.jpgAs freshman Rep. Scott Tipton tries to run to the center ahead of the election next month, it’s way past time for Tipton to come clean with the voters of Colorado’s Third Congressional District about his terrible record on environmental policy. Scott Tipton has no business representing himself as a friend of Colorado’s environment.

Tell Scott Tipton you’re not buying his doubletalk on environmental protection.

Tipton took campaign cash from Big Oil and holds large investments in oil companies such as Exxon and Royal Dutch Shell. In return, Tipton has consistently voted against environmental protections for citizens, and voted to approve the Keystone XL pipeline to in part benefit the same companies. [Public Campaign 4/12/2012]

Tipton failed to protect the Thompson Divide area from drilling. After accepting over $10,000 from an oil company seeking to expand drilling against the wishes of local ranchers and residents, Tipton became a false broker between citizens and the oil companies, hosting fruitless negotiations while declaring himself an advocate of expanded drilling whenever possible. [Glenwood Springs Post-Independent 9/1/2012, Colorado Independent 12/2/2011]

Tipton exploited Colorado’s wildfire season to please the timber industry. Tipton’s so-called “Healthy Forests Act,” introduced in the midst of terrible wildfires in the state, would allow states to disregard environmental regulations and irresponsibly turn over forests to timber companies for “thinning.” Tipton has received thousands of dollars in contributions from donors linked to the timber industry [Sunlight Foundation 8/21/2012]

Tipton attacked renewable energy programs while taking credit for solar power projects in his district. Earlier this summer, Tipton toured the new Cogentrix solar production plant in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. Tipton praised the facility as “impressive,” and was told specifically by the plant’s management that a Department of Energy loan guarantee was instrumental in getting the project started. Despite this experience, Tipton voted against similar loan guarantees only weeks afterward to please Republican leadership. [Pueblo Chieftain 7/16/2012]

Scott Tipton, like other Republicans as the election nears, is running away from his record since his election to Congress in 2010′s “Tea Party wave.” But the facts are clear: Tipton has been no friend of his district’s land, water, or people. And the voters of the Third District deserve better than a representative who only takes their concerns seriously for a few weeks before election time, then selling them out when the pressure is off.

Tell Scott Tipton: he can’t have it two ways forever. We’ll share your names and comments with Tipton, the press, and other elected officials. Thanks for standing up for honesty from our elected officials! It’s past time we demanded better.


Full story: Two Ways Tipton on Colorado’s environment

Video: Romney supporters uncensored in Denver yesterday

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Tue October 2, 2012 at 6:36 PM MDT

(Attention potential tourists: NOT representative of most Coloradans – promoted by Colorado Pols)



Updated: FOX 31 reports.

On Tuesday morning, the group posted the four-minute video on YouTube, in which dozens of Republicans pass by cardboard Obama and, in a few cases, can’t help but hurl less-than-politically correct comments its way. You can watch the video below.

“Go back to Kenya!” one person says.

“Strangle him!” says another.

Some of the comments were directed at the ProgressNow staffers holding up the cut-out and the video camera.

“Is that your Muslim communist buddy?” one person asks.

“Why are you supporting an Islamist, Marxist idiot?” asks another.

ProgressNow Colorado sent a camera and a cardboard cutout of President Obama – just the cutout, no other provocation – into the line for yesterday’s Mitt Romney rally at Wings over the Rockies Air Museum. Reactions from the right-wing crowd were memorable to say the least.




Full story: Video: Romney supporters uncensored in Denver yesterday

Meet “Joe Coors Lite.”

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Sun September 30, 2012 at 7:35 PM MDT


Joe Coors LiteEight years ago, another Coors family heir tried to run for national office, and lost after the people of Colorado realized that Pete Coors was an out-of-touch extremist with an agenda fundamentally opposed to the middle class. In 2012, his brother Joe poses a similar threat.

Joe Coors, Jr., a candidate for Congress, actually predicted that “Armageddon” would occur in the year 2000. As you probably know, he was wrong about that! But how can any responsible person trust a man in Congress who believed the world was coming to an end?

And that’s not all. Joe Coors, Jr., has a long history of questionable views and irresponsibility, from his story of “God speaking to him on the golf course,” to an investment program designed to “increase your Kingdom giving…and have Uncle Sam pay for it.” A few years ago, Coors was scammed out of millions of dollars after being promised an absurdly unrealistic return of 75% per week. What kind of person would fall for such a blatant scam?

Perhaps the worst example is Joe Coors, Jr., financial support in 2010 for the so-called “Personhood initiative,” a measure that would have banned abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, as well as many common forms of birth control. Joe Coors, Jr.’s extreme agenda has already been rejected by over 70% of Colorado voters.

These are some of the stories you probably haven’t heard about Joe Coors, Jr., but it’s absolutely vital that everyone in the Seventh District gets this information before Election Day. That’s why we’re launching a new website, Joe Coors Lite, to spread the word about Joe Coors’ extremist antics and record–before it’s too late.

Please take a moment right now to visit Joe Coors Lite and get the facts. And then please share this information with everyone you know. Working together, we’re not going to let Joe Coors, Jr., buy this election. Colorado deserves better representation in Congress than an eccentric retiree looking for a hobby.




Full story: Meet “Joe Coors Lite.”

Hold Mitt Romney Accountable In Person Sunday

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Fri September 21, 2012 at 11:17 PM MDT

We just got word that Mitt Romney is coming to the Denver metro area this Sunday evening.

Click here to get your ticket–and hold him accountable in person.

After avoiding the state of Colorado for nearly seven weeks, Romney is finally holding a public event in the Denver suburbs. But since his last visit almost two months ago, Romney’s campaign has suffered from repeated missteps, and disastrous hidden-camera revelations of Romney’s true agenda.

Earlier this month, Romney insulted veterans in Colorado and across the country by politicizing the deaths of an American ambassador and two former Navy SEALs in Benghazi, Libya. The Washington Post calls Romney’s shameful actions during a diplomatic crisis “a discredit to his campaign.” (1)

This week, a secret video of Romney speaking at a high dollar fundraiser in Florida was leaked to the press, in which Romney can be heard saying that 47% of Americans “believe that they are victims, believe the government has a responsibility to care for them,” that “I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives,” and “my job is is not to worry about those people.” In just a few shocking minutes of video, Romney insulted and wrote off half the nation he seeks to lead as President. (2)

Romney in Denver

Had enough? Tell Romney in person this Sunday afternoon at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School, near Kipling and Quincy just south of Hampden Avenue (click here for a Google Map). Doors open at 5:00PM, and we expect a healthy contingent of protesters outside the school as well. Please send your reports, photos, and videos of Sunday’s event to info@progressnowcolorado.org, and we’ll pass them along to the local and national media through our own channels. If you’re live-Tweeting the event, make sure you use the #copolitics ”hashtag” to get the widest audience.

If you can’t make it to the event on Sunday, you can still follow the action from Twitter via #copolitics. And of course, we need help covering the costs of our response to Romney’s visit–click here to donate to ProgressNow Colorado.

Thanks very much for your quick response! I hope to hear from you on Sunday, and I hope Romney hears from you as well.




Full story: Hold Mitt Romney Accountable In Person Sunday

Scott Tipton: “All In The Family”

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Thu September 20, 2012 at 9:16 PM MDT

(I love old sit-coms.  Get the popcorn folks!  Its that time of the year. – promoted by ClubTwitty)



Scott Tipton: All In the Family

It only took Scott Tipton a matter of months in office before his first formal apology to the House Ethics Committee. Is this what you voted for?

In June of last year, newly elected Rep. Scott Tipton was forced to apologize to the House Ethics Committee after a scandal that made national news. Rep. Tipton’s daughter, an employee of a telecommunications firm owned by Tipton’s nephew, was caught soliciting business for that company using Rep. Tipton’s name and position in violation of House rules. [1]

Tell Scott Tipton to apologize to his constituents, too.



In addition, Tipton’s office steered thousands of dollars in business to the same company, improperly enriching Tipton’s family members with congressional taxpayer dollars.

And it gets worse: in a recent debate in Grand Junction, Tipton was confronted with news reports detailing the thousands of dollars paid to businesses owned by Tipton’s family members by Tipton’s congressional office–and Tipton inexplicably denied even the existence of those reports. Watch the video of this shocking exchange and see for yourself.

Enough is enough. It only took Scott Tipton a matter of months after taking office to wind up in hot water with the Ethics Committee, while disgracing himself and his constituents by enriching family members with taxpayer dollars. Now Tipton tries to pretend these incidents never happened? That’s totally unacceptable.

Sign our petition today: tell Scott Tipton to come clean with voters about what happened at Broadnet, and ask why he is denying that his office paid thousands of dollars to family members. We’ll share your names and comments with Rep. Tipton, the press, and other public officials.

Thanks. Working together, we won’t let Tipton hide from his brief but terrible record.


Full story: Scott Tipton: “All In The Family”

Mike Coffman and Todd Akin: why they belong together

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  by: ProgressNow Colorado Sun September 9, 2012 at 11:41 PM MDT

Mike Coffman and Todd AkinRep. Mike Coffman has proven he doesn’t care about the issues of the majority of his constituents, from anyone who hopes to have good health care when they retire, to voters for whom federal law guarantees a ballot in their native language.

But above all, Mike Coffman has proven that he doesn’t trust or represent the women in his district–or any of us across America. In fact, Coffman has quietly supported some of the worst, most regressive legislation on women’s rights in decades. Tell Mike Coffman to back off his anti-woman agenda now.

Just last year, Coffman co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri–yes, that Rep. Todd Akin–to “redefine” the crime of rape and restrict access to abortion for rape victims. If that sounds a lot like Akin’s horrifying remarks about “legitimate rape” put into actual legislation, you’re right. How can Coffman look women voters in the eye after supporting such a horrible piece of backward legislation?

It’s time for Republicans who stood with Todd Akin before he became a national symbol of misogyny, like Mike Coffman, to pay the price for what they’ve done. Click here to sign our petition calling on Coffman to immediately renounce his co-sponsorship of H.R. 3, the Todd Akin “redefining rape” bill he co-sponsored in Congress. We will deliver your signatures and comments to Coffman’s office, and share them with the press.

Republicans across America are scrambling to hide their past association with Todd Akin–not just the man, but his policies which in every way underscore Akin’s shocking and deplorable remarks about so-called “legitimate rape.” Before Todd Akin said what he said, Republicans like Mike Coffman were helping him put those words into federal law.

Todd Akin isn’t getting away with it, and with your help, neither will Mike Coffman.

Thank you for helping us draw the line.

Sincerely,

Joanne Schwartz




Full story: Mike Coffman and Todd Akin: why they belong together