Tag Archive for 'Norm Coleman'

The State of the Governor’s Race

by Matt Martin | 47 Comments

Well, Norm is out.

As much as I want to say “I told you so,” everything points to this decision legitimately being up in the air for the past week.  Pat Anderson, for example, seems to have genuinely thought Coleman was getting into this thing.  And there was evidence of Coleman doing polling.  Was Norm’s dream of turning the Governor’s mansion into the Playboy mansion finally put to rest by bad polling numbers, or did the longtime politician just quietly decide that it was time to take a break?  Honestly, I don’t know and I don’t care.  Bottom line is this:  No more Norm.

So, where does this leave things?

To put it succinctly:  it leaves the DFL candidate running against Marty Seifert with Tom Horner running as an Independent.

That’s my best guess people; now tell me how I’m wrong.  Well, before you do, I suppose I’ll explain my thinking:  Marty’s winning this endorsement race and I’ll bet decent dollars that he comes out of it with the nod.  Sure, there’s the possibility that Coleman’s official departure from the scene will push some delegates to reevaluate the field, take a second look at Emmer, blah, blah, blah.  I don’t buy it.  Seifert’s going to be the guy because he’s been working harder, hustling better, and just plain seems to want it more.

But guess what, I’m fine with either one of them (meaning either Seifert or Emmer—if Sen. Hann is the candidate I’ll hold a happy hour for Publius readers and buy the first round) because they’re both firmly in the deep end of the GOP party-pool.  Seriously, I can’t wait for the inevitable Seifert (or Emmer) pivot to the middle after the endorsement (I don’t think there will be a contested primary on the GOP side)—you know those votes you took in the legislature?  Yeah, all of those are public record.

Which is precisely why I think Tom Horner is going to get in this as the IP candidate.  The GOP candidates are far-right, the DFL will go to a primary, and now there’s no alternative in Norm Coleman:  Horner’s a bright guy and I’m sure he realizes this is the best shot an IP candidate will have in a long while. Just take this Horner quote Eric Black published:

“Does Norm Coleman deciding not to run make it a different kind of race and campaign against people who don’t have broad name id?” Horner asked himself aloud. “Absolutely. Is that a better opportunity for an Independence Party candidate? Absolutely.”

Oh, and Horner just officially formed an exploratory committee.  But here’s the thing:  Horner is a former Republican and definitely on the conservative side of the aisle.  So, with far-right GOP candidates, does he end up just splitting the ticket on the GOP side and pulling a few independents in, or does he manage some support from moderate democrats?

This is about to get interesting…

January 18, 2010, 10:32 pm | Category: MN 2010: Governor | Tags: , , , .

Breaking: COLEMAN WILL NOT RUN

by Matt Martin | 42 Comments

From KSTP (h/t @javimorillo):

Former Senator Norm Coleman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Chief Political Reporter Tom Hauser late Sunday he will not be running for governor in 2010.

He will make the official announcement on his Facebook page. He released the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS ahead of the announcement.

“I love Minnesota and I love public service, but this is not the right time for me and my family to conduct a campaign for Governor.

“Timing is everything. The timing on this race is both a bit too soon and a bit too late. It is too soon after my last race and too late to do a proper job of seeking the support of delegates who will decide in which direction our party should go. The commitments I have to my family and the work I am currently engaged in do not allow me to now go forward.”

More at KSTP.  Stay tuned here for more analysis.

January 17, 2010, 11:02 pm | Category: MN 2010: Governor | Tags: .

Rasmussen Poll Is Worthless, But Let’s Pretend Its Not

by Zack Stephenson | 4 Comments

Let me give you a few reasons to disregard the Rasmussen poll that is grabbing attention around the Minnesota political universe today:

  1. They only interviewed 300 people for each horse-race, so the margin of error is very high.
  2. They only conducted interviews on one night, which is considered bad methodology.
  3. I am skeptical of their likely voter model.  As Joe Bodell points out, we haven’t had a competitive statewide primary in Minnesota for a while, so modeling is going to be very difficult.
  4. They misspelled R.T. Rybak’s name in the release (R.T. Ryback?)
  5. And the most important reason: a poll this early in the campaign probably only measures name recognition.

The counter-argument to all of this is:

  1. Polls are fun!

Very persuasive.  So, assuming for the sake of this post that Rasmussen’s numbers are more predictive than those you might pull out of a hat, what do they mean? Find out after the jump.

More »

January 13, 2010, 10:31 am | Category: General | Tags: , , , , , .

Former Moderate GOP Chair SLAMS Coleman

by Zack Stephenson | 8 Comments

Former MN GOP Chair Ron Eibensteiner took to the pages of the Star Tribune today, writing an op-ed that brutalizes former Sen. Norm Coleman and his flirtations with a gubernatorial run.  Eibensteiner, in case you have forgotten, was the Chair of the MN GOP who was ousted a few years back for being too “moderate.”  He is/was a key ally of Gov. Pawlenty.  The op-ed is just cruel:

Despite Coleman’s successful record as mayor of St. Paul, Minnesotans’ strongest lasting impression is of a candidate who’s helped install into office not just one but two of the most unqualified and inexperienced individuals in state history. Minnesotans can’t afford a rerun of those episodes. In the 1998 governor’s race, Norm lost to Jesse Ventura, a candidate who was best known as a former pro wrestler and who is now the host of a conspiracy theory show on television.

Fool me once — maybe it’s a fluke. But twice? Political insiders on both sides of the aisle widely viewed Franken as the weakest DFL candidate and agreed that the 2008 race was Coleman’s to lose. This time, a comedian who’s known for his rude behavior and blue language clearly outstrategized Norm on the campaign trail and in the recount.

Ouch! But that ain’t all…

As a businessman, I know something about management and strategy. The 2008 campaign revealed Coleman’s shortcomings in both areas. His management team lacked a clear leader, and to this day many of Norm’s supporters still don’t know who was calling the shots and taking responsibility for his overall strategy. Additionally, Norm’s communications strategy probably cost him a decisive margin of victory in the closing week of the race when he was ambushed by reporters in front of television cameras. The footage resulted in a devastating campaign commercial.

The same can be said for the Senate recount, which was bungled by Coleman and his team from day one.

Eibensteiner even said Coleman is too moderate for this race (remember, Eibensteiner was booted from his job as MN GOP Chair for being too moderate!)

Coleman was a cosponsor of “cap and trade” legislation that even moderate Democrats are now distancing themselves from because of its tax-raising implications. Perhaps most distasteful to Republicans was Coleman’s support for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout in the final months of the 2008 campaign.

I love the smell of Republican infighting in the morning! A Norm Coleman candidacy would probably result in an all out GOP civil war lasting through the primary in August. It would be a beautiful sight. Alas, each day that passes probably makes a Coleman candidacy less likely (though Marty Seifert is an excellent consolation prize).

January 8, 2010, 8:56 am | Category: MN 2010: Governor | Tags: .

Doug Grow Analyzes Governor Field

by Matt Martin | 15 Comments

Doug Grow over at MinnPost does an admirable job of breaking down where the race and it’s 17 candidates stand at this point. It’s definitely worth the read.

Personally, I wouldn’t add much to Grow’s analysis. I’m a bit more skeptical of a Coleman entrance into the race than Grow seems to be — every day that passes makes this more difficult for him and I’ve heard from more than one Republican that he would only be their candidate again over a lot of party loyalist bodies. That being said, he’s still a potential force and while he’d have (I think) insurmountable problems in getting the endorsement, Coleman would be likely to win the GOP primary.

On the DFL side, it’s very nice of him to look at all of the candidates, but there’s some obvious weeding that can be done at this point. This is not a statement about the relative merits of the various candidates, but simply a political reality. But, hey, the endorsement process has yielded its fair share of surprises…

Anyone out there have any predictions?

January 4, 2010, 10:02 am | Category: MN 2010: Governor | Tags: .

Coleman polling in MN-GOV race?

by Jeff Rosenberg | 22 Comments

Oh please oh please oh please oh please….

A reader at MN Progressive Project reports getting a poll that sounds like it was from the Coleman camp. Is Coleman planning to jump into the race? The DFL can only hope.

Coleman has a lot of residual goodwill from conservatives who supported him during the recount. Given his lack of conservative principles — or really any principles whatsoever — he wouldn’t ordinarily have an easy time during a GOP primary, but he just might be able to get the nod, which would be a tremendous gift to the DFL.

The fact is, Coleman is not popular with Minnesotans, and he’s had a heck of a time winning statewide elections. In fact, his only success — a narrow victory over Walter Mondale, running in Paul Wellstone’s stead — came in such extraordinary circumstances that it can hardly be considered an example of Coleman’s ability to win at the statewide level. More recently,he failed to get 42 percent of the vote against Al Franken, which does not indicate a high probability of success in future elections, to say the least.

We all know how much trouble the DFL has had in recent gubernatorial elections. Now, though, they may have a new secret weapon — Norm Coleman.

December 22, 2009, 6:19 pm | Category: MN 2010: Governor and Misc. Local Politics | Tags: .

Congratulations Al Franken!

by Megan Gamble | 17 Comments

Franken Press ConferenceAfter eight months of waiting, Minnesota will finally have full representation in the US Senate.  The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled today in favor of Al Franken, confirming that he won the recount and is entitled to the Senate seat once occupied by the late Senator Paul Wellstone.  Today we start the process of moving forward, of tackling the work of governing this state, starting a new day of progressive values and protection of our most needy citizens.  Today we can rest easy knowing that our election system was tested and came through shining.  Today we can let out a collective deep sigh, and know that the waiting is over.

Congratulations Al Franken, and congratulations to all the staff, interns, volunteers, voters, donors, lawyers, students, moms, dads, first time voters, absentee voters, college students, folks from Albert Lea to the Northwest Angle, from the north side to the lakeside, from the Iron Range to the Twin Cities - congratulations Minnesota.

We did it.

June 30, 2009, 4:24 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

Coleman concedes

by Jeff Rosenberg | 7 Comments

He will not pursue further appeals. I will post his statement once a transcript is available.

Coleman congratulated Franken, and thanked Amy Klobuchar and her staff for their hard work while Minnesota had only one Senator.

June 30, 2009, 3:03 pm | Category: Misc. National Politics | Tags: .

To GOP, keeping Franken out of the Senate is worth $1 million per month

by Jeff Rosenberg | 27 Comments

At least, that’s how much they’re spending on Norm Coleman’s losing battle:

The fundraising committee for Senate Republicans has invested heavily in Norm Coleman’s ongoing battle in Minnesota, including about $938,000 last month alone.

Considering that Senate Republicans have another rough election year ahead of them, you’d think they would recognize the writing on the wall and start saving that money for Senate candidates in 2010. It’s absolutely sick to me that they’re willing to throw away $1 million per month just to keep Franken out of the Senate for another month or two.

June 24, 2009, 7:33 am | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

“Pre-Concession BBQ”

by Zack Stephenson | 10 Comments

A dedicated reader sent in this interesting anecdote over the weekend…

I flew back to MN from DC today and, as we’re taxiing into the gate at MSP, there’s an obnoxious younger guy talking loudly on his cell phone.

In the course of his convo, he identifies himself as a former Coleman staffer and mentions that he’s in town for a “pre-concession bbq” that a bunch of former/current staffers are having…

This - along with the news that the last of the Coleman staffers are getting new jobs - is a sign that the end is near.

June 22, 2009, 6:04 am | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: .

Give Us This Day Our Daily Norm

by Megan Gamble | 1 Comment

As the tension is rising about when when WHEN will the Minnesota Supreme Court give it’s ruling on the Senate race, let’s give a little update on an older story.  Back in April I wrote about the campaign to give one dollar each day the former Senator Norm Coleman refuses keep his word and step down from this court battle.  WELL they have just announced that the website has raised over $167,000! They also put out this little video, check it out:

June 18, 2009, 9:08 am | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

The end is nigh?

by Jeff Rosenberg | 6 Comments

Hallelujah:

Sources close to Coleman say the former Senator would likely give up his legal battle and accept defeat if the Minnesota Supreme Court decides in Franken’s favor. That’s because Coleman anticipates that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) would ultimately sign Franken’s certification papers.

…sources say Coleman, who is vying for a second term, does not have the same appetite to pursue his case in federal court as he did for his state court battle.

“He will be done” if he loses at the state Supreme Court, one Republican predicted.

June 4, 2009, 8:46 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: .

Today at the Minnesota Supreme Court

by Aaron Landry | 0 Comments

If you’re following Norm Coleman’s contest of Al Franken’s victory this morning, Rachel Stassen-Berger has a good overview, Mike McIntee has a video, and Eric Black has a couple things to listen for. MPR has a link roundup. I’ll be there this morning (Twitter) as well as The UpTake with live video.

Cross-posted on Aaron’s Hotlinks

June 1, 2009, 6:52 am | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

What’s With Kazeminy and Goodman’s Step Into World Peace Foundation?

by Aaron Landry | 1 Comment

Ken Silverstein digs into the mysterious “Step Into World Peace” (SIWP) group that has raised money, spent money, but seemingly has done nothing for “World Peace” nor remembering 9/11 victims:

SIWP was founded in 2002 with the dual goals of “empower[ing] youth to build peace skills” and erecting two 9/11 “Freedom Fountain” memorials. One of the fountains—a computer-rendered image on the website showed the body inlaid with coins symbolizing fallen firefighters and an upper basin supported by pillars resembling the World Trade Center towers—was to be located in the Twin Cities area, with the second to be built in New York. SIWP also sold peace bandanas, peace promise wristbands, and even peace water—“because creating so much peace can make one thirsty.”

But this group did not seem to really do anything for anyone, at least publicly. John Goodman and Nasser Kaseminy were “among the original directors” and John Goodman’s son, Shane, was the CEO. Shane still owns the domain name under his for-profit business, the Goodman Group:

Registrant Name:Shane Goodman
Registrant Street1:1107 Hazeltine Blvd.
Registrant City:Chaska
Registrant State/Province:MN
Registrant Postal Code:55318
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.612720566
Registrant Email:sgoodman@thegoodmangroup.com

Of course, everyone involved with SIWP is a huge donor to Norm Coleman. Where did the money this foundation raised go? Silverstein digs further:

…some six years later the foundation has raised and spent about $100,000 but has done, as far as I can tell, virtually nothing to honor the victims of 9/11 or to “remind the world…that it cannot be allowed to happen again.”

So what exactly is the purpose of this IRS-approved non-profit organization?

Very good question.

Calls to the organization at (612) 922-STEP were not answered.

Further reading: 

Harpers: “Stepping Into It: Norm Coleman’s donors and their plans for ‘World Peace’”
Harpers: “Norm Coleman’s Donors and Remembering 9/11”
Internet Archive Wayback Machine: stepintoworldpeace.org

May 27, 2009, 12:27 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

National Republicans Pouring More Money Into Coleman

by Aaron Landry | 0 Comments

In the wake of the $6 million each that both Coleman and Franken have dumped into the state-wide recount and Norm Coleman’s contest, Franken still owes over $1.3 million. (Yes, Coleman owes Franken at least $161,510.63 of that.)

Meanwhile, national Republicans just threw $750,000 at Coleman’s legal bills to keep Minnesotans with a single Senator. One would think national Democrats would be able to at least match that to help get our representation in DC, right?

May 20, 2009, 1:43 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .