Armstrong hits Coffman in new TV ad; Coffman's wife responds in robocall

Sixth Congressional District Republican candidate Wil Armstrong released a television ad Monday labeling GOP primary opponent Mike Coffman as a "career politician with a record of controversy."

The Coffman campaign, anticipating a negative ad from the Armstrong camp, quickly responded Monday with a robocall to all CO-6 registered Republicans from Coffman's wife Cynthia.

Armstrong's ad, called "A Record of Controversy," went out on both broadcast and cable TV. In the ad, an announcer says that Coffman is "climbing up the political ladder" while Armstrong is "running for Congress to make a difference."

"In these uncertain economic times, we need more business leaders in Congress, not more career politicians," the announcer states.

Coffman, the current Colorado Secretary of State, previously served as state treasurer, a state senator, and a state representative. He also served in both Iraq Wars as a U.S. Marine.

The ad displays several newspaper stories (and an editorial)about controversies Coffman has had as state treasurer and Secretary of State. (See below for links to the four articles cited in the ad).

Cynthia Coffman's robocall, recorded a few days before Armstrong's TV ad came out, stated that Armstrong launched a negative and untruthful smear campaign against Mike, and that it saddened her that fellow Republicans would use win-at-all costs tactics that are divisive and destructive to the Republican Party, according to Coffman manager Dustin Zvonek.

Zvonek said he wasn't able to locate an exact script of the robocall, as Cynthia Coffman recorded her message off-the-cuff, using only a few notes to guide her.

Armstrong TV ad script:

Announcer: Two candidates for Congress: Mike Coffman and Wil Armstrong. What's the difference?

Mike Coffman -- career politician with a record of controversy.

Wil Armstrong -- career businessman with a record of success.

Mike Coffman -- climbing up the political ladder.

Wil Armstrong -- running for Congress to make a difference.

In these uncertain economic times, we need more business leaders in Congress, not more career politicians.

Wil Armstrong: I'm Wil Armstrong, and I approve this message because I want to change the way Congress does business.

The  headlines in Armstrong's ad refer to these (only six of the seven could be found online):

Watchdog group files complaint against Coffman -- Denver Post, Feb. 14, 2008

Coffman caught in conflict over lobbying firm -- Denver Post, Dec. 21, 2007

Treasurer violated law -- Colorado Springs Gazette, Aug. 3, 2001

Well, will they work or not? -- Denver Post editorial, Jan. 10, 2008

Narrow line for Coffman -- Denver Post editorial, Dec. 22, 2007

Coffman will not step down to campaign -- Denver Post, Nov. 22, 2007

Ethics group targets Coffman on campaigning -- Denver Post, April 4, 2008, page B4.