June 17, 2009 11:53 PM UTC

Ritter Campaign Returns Coffman Fire Over "Terrorist Sympathizer" Dig

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• by: Colorado Pols

The reelection campaign for Governor Bill Ritter just sent a sharply-worded blast mail to supporters, asking them to contact Rep. Mike Coffman and tell him “to stop using taxpayer dollars to smear Governor Ritter.” We’re pretty sure this marks the first direct intervention by the Governor’s campaign so far, responding to Coffman’s remarks earlier this month branding Ritter a ‘terrorist sympathizer’ for his opposition to expanding the Army’s Pinon Canyon training area.

We’ve reprinted the mailing after the jump–says surrogate Mack Louden, a rancher from southeast Colorado, “Mike Coffman wants to inject partisan politics into an issue that has always had broad bi-partisan support, putting him at odds not only with Coloradans, but also his own party. For years, both Democrats and Republicans have supported our efforts to block overly-aggressive expansion plans by the Army. Most of our elected leaders, like Governor Ritter, know that we can strike the right balance between safeguarding our national security and protecting Southern Colorado’s economic vitality.”

Dear XXXX,

Bill Ritter has helped save my ranch, and hundreds like mine, from the Army’s initial proposal to expand its Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in Southeastern Colorado.

So when Congressman Mike Coffman issued a congressional statement smearing the Governor as “sympathetic” to terrorist organizations for siding with Colorado ranchers, he crossed the line.

I’m a lifelong Republican, but these comments embarass me — and I’m not afraid to let him know it. They show just how far some politicians will go to undermine the good work Governor Ritter is doing for so many Coloradans, like me.

Join me in telling Rep. Mike Coffman to stop using taxpayer dollars to smear Governor Ritter.

My family has been tied to the land around Pi񯮠Canyon for four generations. The Army’s initial plan to seize over 400,000 additional acres to expand its facility here threatened to wipe out $20 million a year in agricultural production and eliminate hundreds of ranches that have been here for generations. Simply put, it would have devastated our economy and decimated our uniquely Colorado way of life.

When families like mine with deep roots in Southern Colorado banded together to oppose this particular plan by the Army to take our land, Governor Ritter listened.

That’s not all. After hearing our stories, Governor Ritter signed legislation to protect our private property rights — twice. He has remained true to his word since the very beginning, and we are tremendously grateful.

Join me in telling Rep. Mike Coffman to stop using taxpayer dollars to smear Governor Ritter.

Unfortunately, Mike Coffman wants to inject partisan politics into an issue that has always had broad bi-partisan support, putting him at odds not only with Coloradans, but also his own party. For years, both Democrats and Republicans have supported our efforts to block overly-aggressive expansion plans by the Army. Most of our elected leaders, like Governor Ritter, know that we can strike the right balance between safeguarding our national security and protecting Southern Colorado’s economic vitality.

But Rep. Coffman’s fringe attacks show that some folks will say or do anything for political gain — even questioning the patriotism of our Governor. We cannot let these attacks go unchecked.

Join me in telling Rep. Mike Coffman to stop using taxpayer dollars to smear Governor Ritter.

Thank you joining me to send a message to Rep. Mike Coffman, and for standing up for the thousands of Coloradans — like me — who would be devastated by the Army’s excessive initial expansion proposal.

Sincerely,

Mack Louden

Colorado Rancher