July 02, 2013 11:15 AM UTC

Coming Soon: Paul Ryan Stumping For Coffman?

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• by: Colorado Pols

Rep. Paul Ryan has committed to dramatically ramping up his fundraising appearances to help fellow House Republicans, a move that will help boost his political muscle among GOP lawmakers and bring piles of cash to the party’s election arm.

Ryan, the former GOP vice presidential candidate and current chairman of the House Budget Committee, has 20 political events scheduled between now and the end of 2013, according to a Republican aide…

“House Republicans are thankful for Chairman Ryan’s dedication to growing the House majority and his generous commitment to his colleagues and the NRCC,” said Andrea Bozek, a committee spokeswoman. “As one of the biggest draws in politics, it’s not surprising that Ryan’s approval rating is rock solid with independents, conservatives and our donor community.”

We'll be very curious to see if Rep. Paul Ryan, 2012's GOP vice presidential nominee, makes an appearance on behalf of Colorado's most endangered Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Coffman. A Ryan/Coffman joint event might make for a good fundraiser with conservatives, but Ryan could serve as an uncomfortable reminder of so much of Coffman's record that he is now trying to leave behind. Coffman no longer represents the deep red constituency formerly the stomping ground of the hard-right Rep. Tom Tancredo, and barely survived last year against a weak opponent in a district refashioned into one of the most competitive in America.

This means that when the local pro-choice "Fertilized Eggs" show up to protest Ryan, as you can be assured they will, they'll also protest Coffman's co-sponsorship of a bill with Rep. Todd Akin to restrict federal abortion coverage to cases of "forcible," or if you will, "legitimate" rape. And Ryan with Coffman can't help but call to mind Old Coffman's view that Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme." To be fair, we haven't actually heard if that is also the view of New Coffman®.

You know, folks, maybe Ryan should just steer clear of Coffman altogether. This is a bit of a minefield.