ELBERT COUNTY — Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) is backpedaling after 9News obtained an audio recording of his comments at a recent fundraiser where he raised the issue of President Barack Obama’s birthplace and said the president, “in his heart, he’s not an American.”
At a May 12 fundraiser at the Elbert County Fairgrounds, Coffman wrapped up a 12-minute speech to donors with an unprompted discussion of President Obama’s citizenship and national identification.
“I don’t know whether Barack Obama was born in the United States of America. I don’t know that,” Coffman said. “But I do know this, that in his heart, he’s not an American. He’s just not an American.”
After a short pause, which Elbert County Republican Chairman Scott Wills recalled as “deafening silence,” Coffman was met with applause, tentative at first.
The recording and a photo of the event were posted online by a Coffman supporter who told 9News he was pleased to hear the congressman discuss what the so-called “birther” issue. 9News was informed of the recording’s existence by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Coffman issued a written apology Wednesday evening.
“I misspoke and I apologize,” the statement began. “I have confidence in President Obama’s citizenship and legitimacy as President of the United States.”
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