June 07, 2009 06:50 PM UTC

Mr. Coffman's Credibility

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• by: jflerlage

(Rep. Coffman, feel free to respond and we’ll promote – promoted by Colorado Pols)

In my campaign to win the Congressional seat in Colorado’s 6th District, I make three pledges; to run a respectful campaign based on the issues, to support the President’s agenda and to provide leadership with clear priorities. My priorities are security and safe communities, social justice and economic justice. Our incumbent representative claims personal credibility on national security issues and to represent us in regards to domestic policy. As someone who served in the Marines for over 20 years, I respectfully challenge Mr. Coffman’s credibility on national security and  the use of our Armed Forces as well as his positions on domestic policy.

On April 3, 2009, Mr. Coffman is quoted in the Centennial Citizen as saying, ” It is irresponsible for this administration to be throwing additional personnel and resources into Afghanistan.” Exactly two months later, on June 3, 2009, Michael Riley of the Denver Post writes that Mr. Coffman has concluded, “that even with the planned expansion of U. S. troops in Afghanistan, the military’ s presence there is still much less than what will be necessary to successfully defeat the Taliban and the country’s renewed insurgency.” So which is it?  

On April 15, 2009, Mr. Coffman wrote these words in an open letter to President Obama, ” The placement of small detachments of U.S. Marines or sailors aboard U.S. flagged merchant ships would help bring an end to the piracy problem off of the coast of Somalia for U.S. commercial shipping. ” Has this member of the U. S. House Armed Forces Committee checked with the Marine Corps before sending an open letter to the President? Anyone who has spoken with Marine Corps officers who are now on active duty, serving there 4th or greater deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, know we do not have the resources for such a mission.   And many effective and alternative ideas are now in place or being considered (rapid reaction forces, convoys). Why does he think there aren’t enough forces in Afghanistan?

Only few days ago, the Colorado Independent characterized Mr. Coffman’s remarks in regards to Governor Ritter signing of the Pinon Canyon law (H.B.1317) as a, “bizarre, Cheney-esque attack on Gov. Bill Ritter as a “terrorist sympathizer.”” In his remarks, Mr. Coffman ties together, without any evidence, Guantanamo Bay prisoners, the strategic realignment of forces decision of the President, and the proposed expansion of the Army into Pinon Canyon. Is this how Mr. Coffman establishes credibility for himself on national security? Is this how Colorado should be represented in the United States Congress?

In my second pledge to the people of our District, and in regards to domestic policy, I pledge to support the President’s agenda. The President proposes a comprehensive new energy policy, health care for all Americans and the reform of education. In the last few months I have spoken with the leaders of the business community. What do they want? New, high tech jobs in the 6th District, just as in the adjacent districts. They want educated workers. And they want health care costs reduced so they can compete. I talk to politicians; state, local and county of both parties. They want good jobs for their people, good, safe schools, and health care costs brought under control. And I talk to the people; firefighters, teachers, and workers from all walks of life. What do they want? Safe, excellent schools, affordable health care and good, high paying jobs here in our community. Now there are many other critical issues facing us; the recession, the reduction of debt, comprehensive immigration reform and the environment to name a few. But we have common ground on so many issues. A good Marine knows that a leader requires moral courage, optimism and a plan to achieve results. Creating divisions with our fellow Americans and saying no to every effort to move forward does not serve the people of our community or our country.