Oh-fer.
Congressman Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) has been given plenty of opportunities to distance himself from the dangerous rhetoric of Republican Presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. As the National Journal reports, Coffman is now 0-for-3 on Trump questions:
A National Journal survey of eight members from racially diverse and Democratic-leaning districts—including one Senate candidate—resulted in just a trio of House freshmen who took clear stances on the presidential candidate, whose polarizing rhetoric has simultaneously bolstered his own standing in the polls and endangered certain down-ballot Republicans…
…After Trump’s anti-Muslim proposal, Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado released a statement saying he aims to “represent all of the citizens of my district,” but didn’t specifically address Trump. His office declined an interview request, and when reached at the Capitol, Coffman said, “Call my office,” before ducking into the House chamber. [Pols emphasis]
Wow. Coffman isn’t just declining to comment on Trump — he’s running from the question like he’s late to a push-up contest. Why is Coffman so terrified reluctant to criticize Donald Trump? As we noted a few weeks ago:
So what the hell is going on? Honestly, we’re not completely sure. It may be that Coffman is looking at polling numbers that say he cannot go against Trump publicly for fear of losing votes he must retain to keep his seat. It may be that Coffman authentically likes Trump, or something that he has said–though you’re not going to hear that publicly. Given Coffman’s silence on the matter, it may be that Coffman actually agrees with Trump.
This has gone on for too long now. Coffman is taking such pains to avoid Trump questions that it’s fair to assume that he might just be part of the “The Silent Majority” backing His Hairness.
Remember, folks, that there is a long list of elected officials in Congress who have not hesitated to criticize Trump for his over-the-top rhetoric. Coffman has plenty of political cover to speak out against comments such as Trump’s suggestion to bar all Muslims from entering the United States…he just won’t do it.
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I don't understand this guy. Coffman is one of the rare Colorado Repubes who doesn't need to worry about a primary challenger but does have to worry about a general election opponent. That means he doesn't need to pander to the base like someone in Lamborn or Buck's position needs to do. If anything, Coffman faces pressure to at least sound reasonable which is why I don't understand his reluctance to criticize Trump.
I don't think the man was ever accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer.
…the essential ingredient for Moddy's 'Nothingburger'?
I can see why Cory Gardner is consider to be the Apple of the Colorado GOP Eye. If you stand Gardner amongst Ken Buck, Lamborn, Tipton, Coffman, Both Ways and Tancredo, Gardner at least looks presentable.
(I know, I'm not sure if Tancredo still belongs in that group since he has disassociated himself with the Party of Lincoln.)
Wow. When you put them all together like that…..
They don't call 'em "jar-heads" for nothin'.
Most of ’em aren’t the brightest lights on the Christmas tree.
Maybe he just simply agrees with der Hairmeister on everything he says….
At his presser today, Trump claimed there were many infrastructure projects that cost 25 times more to build than originally estimated. Nobody asked him to name an example, because that's not the way Trump rolls the media.
If he had named an example, the Denver VA hospital, which is coming in at about twice the original cost ($583 million to 1.1 billion) would have been an embarrassment for Coffman, whose responsibility was to oversee the project.
Now, now. There are plenty of smart Marines. I will say, though, a friend of ours who started out as a career Marine in his Vietnam youth and changed his mind after a few years did tell us that he felt like the longer he stayed in the dumber he got.