Senator Michael Bennet and Congressman Mike Coffman Respond to Attack Ads

By: Karli Kusler

Reported by the Denver Post on Twitter late last week, two political attack ads were released to the state of Colorado, one aimed at Senator Michael Bennet and one aimed at Congressman Michael Coffman. Interested in what the political figures had to say about the clear accusations made in each ad, I asked each current candidate a few questions on the matter. 

Congressman Coffman opted to respond quickly to my questions and replied with the following answers via email. 

Q: What was your initial reaction to the “Coffman Stakes Too High PPCAF” Ad that was released on Friday, April 11, 2014? Please explain.

I was disappointed that my opponent and his allies are too busy trying to run false attacks that use women’s issues as a political tool than to read the piece of legislation in question. HR 3 2011, which was a bipartisan attempt at improving spending policies does not try to “redefine rape” anywhere within the bill.

Q: Can you discuss and explain your stance on the bill mentioned in the ad?

I absolutely do not support the “redefinition of rape.” I also do not support big government using taxpayer dollars for abortions unless in the cases of rape, incest, or prevention of the death of the mother. Which is what HR 3 2011 actually says.

Q: Do you have any comments to the women who might oppose such a bill?

It is regrettable that my opponent and his allies have tried to use women as a political tool. My campaign has always been focused on women’s issues and that they receive the care they deserve. We just don’t believe that abortions should be funded by taxpayer dollars.

Q:"Do you have a statement in regards to the memo from HRC that was sent out today April 14,2014?”

It’s disappointing that HRC is focusing on the negative instead of my fight for nondiscrimination but I'm proud Colorado LGBT groups like One Colorado recognize my leadership in the Republican Party in moving ENDA forward.

The memo to the Coffman Campaign from HRC President Chad Griffin can be found here. It is interesting to read Congressman Coffman’s viewpoint on the matter and hopefully I will be able to meet with him in person to get a more personal understanding on his stance on the issues that are important to him. 

Senator Michael Bennet on the other hand, was excited about the opportunity to answer some questions and offered to sit down in person to discuss the matter. When he arrived we spent a few minutes getting settled but I could tell how happy and eager he was to resolve any dispute there might be over the recent attack ad.

Q: What was your initial reaction to the “Not Our Values Bennet” Ad that was released on Friday, April 11, 2014?

“I thought it was a sensationalized version of our point of view, as well as a generally unprofessional attack.”

Q: What are your points of view in regards to the video?

“I mean it really just exaggerated a lot of things. We aren’t the extreme partisan liberals the ad leads you to believe. We, or I suppose, I am consistently rated as a very moderate Senator and I seek bipartisanship as often as I can get it. I seek it on all issues ranging from guns to healthcare to budget deficits you name it; I seek to support ideas from both sides.”

Q: So speaking of gun issues, what can you tell us about supporting anti-gun Judges Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court?

“Yes, actually when I voted to confirm those two Justices it was not a vote based on their political ideals it was simply a vote based on their hard work and dedication commitment to public service.”

Q: And in regards to the attack ad, can you tell us a little bit about your “choice to support Obamacare?”

“I support affordable healthcare, and as Congressman Coffman states in his most recent campaign ad, “the conversation should be about responsible, affordable women’s healthcare.” I too agree that healthcare should responsible and affordable for all and I think the Affordable Care Act is the best way to achieve that goal.”

Q: And what do you have to say about the “Boulder Values?”

“Again, I think is just a very sensationalized version of my points of view. It portrays me as being very partisan and quite frankly I’m not.”

Senator Bennet very gracious during the interview process and also initially offered to come to my workplace to make sure we had time to discuss the ads, as well as anything else I might have inquiries about.  Interested in how successful his campaign has been going as of late, a recorded interview was scheduled for the following day and I had another delightful experience with the Bennet Campaign team. 

While both candidates were approached in the same manner about scheduling an interview on their reactions to the attack ads, and both candidates proved to positively defend their values, the candidates made it clear which campaign team holds personal experience and the opinion of Colorado’s people as a high priority throughout the election.