Yesterday’s report from the Washington Post reveals that behind closed doors, Rep. Mike Coffman has been caught parroting the same hardline, conservative immigration policies that he publicly rails against. The DCCC released the following statement on the fallout facing one of the country’s most vulnerable incumbents:
“Mike Coffman is a 29-year career politician who pretends to be moderate, thinking voters will be fooled by his stunning hypocrisy, but he’s been caught red-handed going to the right of President Trump on immigration. Colorado voters deserve to know: what other issues does Mike Coffman think President Trump is ‘too generous’ on?” – DCCC Spokesperson Rachel Irwin
POLITICO MORNING SCORE: Republican Rep. Mike Coffman, who represents the battleground Colorado 6th District, is positioning himself to the right of the president on immigration. The Washington Post’s David Weigel and Mike DeBonis : Coffman “told voters last week the president ‘probably has a more generous plan for DACA than I would [propose]’ and it might be time to ‘transition to zero tolerance’ when it came to overall immigration policy. … Earlier this year, Coffman came out strongly against Trump’s ‘zero tolerance’ border enforcement policy that resulted in the jailing and separation of migrant families and endorsed a bill from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to address the problem. But Coffman’s remarks, a recording of which was provided to The Washington Post, demonstrate the difficulties that come with navigating immigration policy as a Republican who sometimes crosses Trump.”
Aurora Sentinel: Congressman Mike Coffman’s latest comments on immigration attract backlash
AURORA | At a luncheon appearance earlier this week Aurora Congressman Mike Coffman reportedly said President Donald Trump has a “more generous plan for DACA” than he does.
The Washington Post obtained a recording of the remarks, given at a lunch event for the Highlands Ranch Chamber. Some are saying Coffman’s comments are a long way from his typically-current moderate stances on immigration issues.
In answering questions to those at the lunch, the Post reports Coffman also backed a “zero tolerance” policy.
“I think we have to, I know we have to, transition to zero tolerance,” he reportedly said after being asked about “anchor babies.”
DENVER POST: What did Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman mean when he said he supports a “zero tolerance” immigration policy?
Colorado Republican has consistently supported bills creating path to citizenship for people brought to U.S. illegally as children
Democrats accused Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, of double-dealing Wednesday after audio surfaced of the congressman supporting a zero tolerance immigration policy, calling for an end to the visa lottery program and describing President Donald Trump’s plan for children brought into the U.S. illegally as overly generous.
The five-term Republican representative has consistently supported bills creating a path to citizenship for people brought to the U.S. illegally as children. He criticized the White House’s recent zero tolerance policy that resulted in families being separated at the border.
And Democrats were quick to seize on what they allege is a clear case of hypocrisy.
“Behind closed doors, Mike Coffman revealed who he really is: A fraud,” said Jason Crow, the Democrat running to defeat Coffman in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District.