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Bill Maher Flip a District: Coffman Rounds Out Final Four

Coffman is in a Tossup race. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Coffman is in a Tossup race. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The Bill Maher Flip a District effort is going after Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado, rounding out the final four Republicans the comedian wants to give the boot from Congress.  

What’s interesting about the Coffman selection is he is the only lawmaker on Maher’s list actually representing a competitive seat.  

Coffman’s race in the 6th District is rated a Tossup by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call . The three others — Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, John Kline of Minnesota and Blake Farenthold of Texas — are in contests rated Safe Republican.  

Maher said on the Aug. 1 summer finale of his HBO show “Real Time” that Coffman earned the final slot.  

“That’s right, Mike is a deep-red conservative trying to keep pace with a district that’s turning purple and smokin’ green,” Maher said, grinning. “He once said that [President Barack] Obama is just not an American. Wow, you’d have to be high to re-elect a guy like that.”  

That’s a reference to a May 12, 2012, fundraiser, during which Coffman reportedly said he isn’t sure about Obama’s citizenship. The Denver Post reported the quote as, “I don’t know whether Barack Obama was born in the United States of America. I don’t know that. But I do know this, that in his heart, he’s not an American. He’s just not an American.”  

Maher told his audience they are in charge, and “it’s up to you to order” off the menu.  

“Over the next month, let us know which of these bloated ticks on America’s hide needs to be burnt off with the mighty cigarette of democracy,” he said.  

The liberal host will announce the “winning loser” when his show films from Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12.  

Coffman prevailed, so to speak, over Dan Benishek, Kerry Bentivolio and Tim Walberg of Michigan, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Michael G. Grimm of New York, Steve King of Iowa, Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, Steve Southerland II of Florida, Jackie Walorski of Indiana and Ted Yoho of Florida.  

   

Related stories: 

Renee Ellmers in Maher’s Final Four


Bill Maher Finalizes ‘Tweet 16′ Bracket for #FlipADistrict


Bill Maher’s #FlipADistrict Project Enters Final Countdown


Bill Maher: Michael Grimm Has ‘Likely Flipped Himself’ on #FlipaDistrict


#FlipaDistrict Lights a Fire Under Peeved Constituents


Republicans Mostly Shrug Off Bill Maher Threat


Roll Call Election Map: Race Ratings for Every Seat


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