What about the rest? Coleman received at least $10,000 more from the previous cycle from Ted Stevens’ PAC. He also got at least $6,000 from VECO executives, who are the criminals directly involved with this scandal. Is the $20,000 dirty but the other $16,000 not?
I’m really bothered by a couple other things about this story but one really sticks out for me: the reason Norm Coleman gave for donating this money. It wasn’t about Stevens’ corruption, it wasn’t about how strongly it’s tied to oil, and it wasn’t about denouncing his deep connections with Stevens’ and VECO. It was about:
The Senator believes firmly in a presumption of innocence. But it is clear our political opponents will attempt to use this issue as a distraction…
So Coleman is donating some of the money because it’s radioactive for him politically, not because he denounces the corruption. Sick.
UPDATE: Thanks to Michael B. Brodkorb for pointing out that the AP article was updated from saying $10,000 to $20,000.
So maybe if every Minnesotan spent every day making sure that Senator Norm Coleman does the right thing, refuses bribes and keeps double checking his work… well we can trust then to re-elect him? Wow that sure is a lot of work keeping track of Norm the Weasel. I think I would prefer to vote for Al Franken… I’ll waste less time checking up on his morals.
Aaron: I know you have been busy today mocking the mother of a child with cancer, but the article you claim as a source for writing that Coleman was only giving back $10,000 specifically states that Coleman is giving back $20,000:
“Republican Sen. Norm Coleman said Wednesday he would give away $20,000 in campaign contributions because they came from a political action committee tied to indicted Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.” Source: Associated Press, July 30, 2008
I look forward to reading your correction of a “grammatical error.”
What does it matter. His wife was named one of the 50 most beautiful people on Capitol Hill by the newspaper The Hill.
http://thehill.com/cover-stories/50-most-beautiful-people-on-capitol-hill-2008 — -40-more-2008-07-29_3.html
Laurie Coleman
Age: 51
Hometown: St. Louis Park, Minn.
Political party: Republican
Dating status: Married
SSome politicians’ spouses stay in the background, shaking hands with voters at county fairs or appearing as a smiling face behind a triumphant or dejected candidate at campaign headquarters.
Laurie Coleman, wife of Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), isn’t one of those political wives. The leggy blonde is a former ballet dancer, a model and an aspiring actress with movie, television and stage credits to her name, including a turn in a production of “The Vagina Monologues.”
If the winning smile and sparkling eyes weren’t enough to get by on, Mrs. Coleman’s also an inventor and an entrepreneur. She created and sells the Blo and Go, a nifty wall mount for handheld hair dryers.
Come August, the Colemans will be unofficial hosts for the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities. As the former first lady of St. Paul, Mrs. Coleman would seem a perfect candidate for the job.
— By Jeffrey Young
Hey - did anyone catch this story on the front page of the Star Tribune - “Federal agency may redefine abortion rules” http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/26083324.html
Apparently the Feds are thinking that when a woman is raped rather than make sure she gets comprehensive medical care it is more important to make absolutely sure that the medical profession is comfortable providing her with comprehensive care. There is an amazing quote by House speaker Kelliher - about how such a change wouldn’t be in line with the thinking of most Minnesotans - hopefully at the capitol event there were people who revealed how outrageous this is…didn’t just comment on how it might play. As women’s security and hope for ever having a level playing field continues to erode….something tells me Franken won’t touch this topic…reproductive rights make Dems squirm.
Wow, Demure-
Jumping into a thread regarding Norm’s ties to indicted Stevens, and his ties to big oil with a screed against Franken for what you imagine to be his failure to support choice?
Priceless. Thanks.
Norm is waist deep in big oil dollars. If we want to see gas at six bucks a gallon, we can vote for him.
Makes sense to me… after all everyone knows how considerate the Republican Party has been for reproductive rights and woman’s issues. Like Demure One, I’m voting a straight Republican ticket because I’m a feminist. (/delusional thinking)
Funny. What’s Coleman’s NARAL rating?
Back on topic……Coleman holds $25,000 of Stevens’ contributions.
0% by NARAL. Good choice, D.O.
Michael
I look forward to your parents correction and apology for birthing a dipstick political hack….
Yes, yes, yes….Norm is horrible on reproductive rights. And hey - given the timid Democrats that keep being promoted, things just keep getting worse. Amuseinc - you are satisfied to keep electing people who enable the GOP agenda - this is a problem.
Good point, Demure one, will Al Franken talk about this on the campaign? Or is the only way he talks about women is in his “jokes?”
who are you voting for DO?
Gosh with 18 candidates…it sooo hard to pick. In the event the Democrats ditch Franken - hey I could vote Democratic. I’ll wait until the primary - then check out the Independence Party winner and his positions. May end up voting NOTA.
It has been pointed out on this blog that perhaps the Democrats have to lose more elections that are completely winnable before they realize they have to stop offering up candidates who are policy slackers. Just because somebody is running as a Democrat doesn’t mean he/she can stand up for progressive policy….typically it means he/she will do so if being progressive won’t offend anyone. This has got to stop.
I think failure of Democrats to question a preemptive war, failure of Democrats to stand up for the middle class, the working poor, and women on economic, health, and justice issues is huge. When I read about the plan to change the definition of abortion, I totally hit the ceiling. Where is the outrage? Who will this harm most? Well every rape victim - and it will cut across economic lines. But women who don’t have access to medical care on their own will indeed suffer the most.
Why not check out the Independence Party Candidates? Talk to Steve Williams - endorsed candidate of the IP, Dean Barkley - was a Senator for a little while or Jack Ulrich? Are they taking PAC money or bribe money? At least with the IP people you know you are going to get someone that will work to get what is needed done - done.
These two jokers? They are too wild.
Can someone let me know where you sign up to get paid to troll blue blogs pretending to be an indepedent/progressive to distract voters from supporting candidates who can actually win? There’s so many of you here, I figure there just has to be room for one more.
Now, now Chet, these are Democrats who until Obama and Franken were nominated and endorsed happily worked for the DFL, donated time and money. Only once the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party took over did they become the outraged tools you so succinctly lampooned. Concern trolls, what the talentless become after they realize they don’t have an argument as Republicans.
What has been the main platform of the Republican Party of late???
ANTI-ABORTION
ANTI-GAY RIGHTS
ANTI-UNION RIGHTS
PRO GUN RIGHTS
PRO BIG BUSINESS
The Republican Party wants small Government and less intrusion in American’s lives. But when it comes to a Woman’s body, they are in tight.
And where does Norm stand as far as the Party Platform is concerned???
Back to the money… Why would a self respecting charity accept this (dirty) money? If it’s toxic for Coleman why is it healthy for a charity? Why would Coleman think it was OK to donate it if it’s so nasty that he can’t keep it himself? When he does this, he is still using the money to do something he wants to do, deciding how it gets disposed of, using it to his advantage.
He should return it to where it came from, or if he really wants to make an excellent statement he should publicly burn it.
Candidates are always finding themselves with money in their war chests that is politically smelly. I for one, do not think it’s OK to just give it to charity. It’s like donating dirty undies to Goodwill. But then, I’m a moonbat…
Ted was indicted for not reporting gifts; isn’t receiving below market rent also a gift?
Has Norm reported the rent subsidy he has received (when he has bothered to pay)?