Colorado Official to Leave for Iraq Duty (50 yr old State Treasurer)

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050506/ap_on_re_us/colorado_treasurer_2

<snip>

"This was an extremely difficult decision for me," said the 50-year-old Coffman, a Marine reservist who will report for active duty next month. "I had to choose between whether to continue serving Colorado as the state treasurer, or serving the nation."

Coffman said Thursday his experience as a Marine and a lawmaker are needed to help Iraq build a new government. Coffman had served in the region in 1991, during the Gulf War.

He said he will be working in a civil affairs group that will focus on helping Iraqis establish provincial and local governments. He will have the rank of major.

He left open the possibility he would launch a campaign for secretary of state when he returns from the voluntary duty.

"If I can put together an election in Iraq, I think I can put together one in Colorado," said Coffman.

[Bandit]

1. If he volunteered to go good for him

He at least stands behind his words. If he was (drafted) recalled I am ashamed for America.

[DrDebug]

2. At least it sounds like he goes for a good reason

If he can do it then his heart is in the right place, but the idea of sending 50 years old to a warzone is ridiculous of course.

[JabbatheHutt]

3. He gave up the chance to be a Governor

and the Dem Legislature are asking him to resign his post.. thinks he can go 9 months then come back to Denver and take his position again - I DONT THINK SO, MIKE! Hopefully his duty will drag on for 5 years, at stoploss for life. Stupid rethuglican.

[DrDebug]

5. Even though I don't agree with him...

... I don't think he is a stupid rethuglican. He thought that it was the place where he could be most useful so he left a good career for an uncertain future. I find it very hard to condemn people like that.

*, Cheney, Blair are different stories. They are hypocrits and they should be punished for the deaths they cause, but this guy sounds different and he made a difficult choice and stood by his words and he is not going there to fight but to educate and make things work, which is different as well.

Edit: Spelling etc.

[atreides1]

7. Yes It Is Useful

If he completes his tour, and returns intact, then he has a much better chance of using his "service to the nation" to climb up the political ladder in the Party.

[MrModerate]

4. Heck, I'm over 50 and they sent me!

'Course I'm a civilian, sent by my company, and I hid out in the Green Zone as much as I could -- where this guy is going to have to be out among the people every day.

All I can say is: DON'T GO!!

[leftchick]

6. You were sent by your company?

they didn't give you a choice? I am glad you are back safe!

peace,
lc

[MrModerate]

9. Well, yeah, I did get a choice . . .

But I was part of the "we broke it, we better fix it" crew that went in early, hoping to undo some of the damage Schimpanski and his bloodthirsty clods had done.

We did do some good, too (and some of my colleagues are still there), but what an unholy mess.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

[daleo]

8. Lots of loot there too.

They need a good treasurer, considering $100 million went missing. I hope he is honest.

[donco6]

10. In truth, this guy is more RW than Owens.

Maybe his motives are pure, but, he's as hardcore Repub as you can be.

[leftchick]

13. I could tell just by the way he says things

a repuke with pure motives? For what? :shrug:

[Straight Shooter]

11. "choosing between serving Colorado or serving the nation"

Well, he's got his talking points down, doesn't he?

Be safe, Coffman. Because you'll be coming back a changed man.

[LynnTheDem]

12. He was WARNED not to ask the whereabouts of that $100 million.

Word of advice sir; leave your head at home.

[justgamma]

14. Kind of full of himself, isn't he?

"If I can put together an election in Iraq, I think I can put together one in Colorado," said Coffman.