(MN Senate) Coleman (R) calls on foes to 'stop attacking my family'

[MinneapolisMatt]

The StarTrib, the paper that endorsed Coleman, is finally running the story about how Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman had money illegally funneled into his campaign via his "actress" wife who conveniently became an insurance agent in 2006.

Minnesota is turning against him. Hard. Read the comments. People are ANGRY.

This by NO MEANS gives the victory to Franken, but it's certainly not going to hurt him either. This could do it for him.

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http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/33643124.html

A second lawsuit was filed Friday by minority shareholders who allege that a close family friend of Sen. Norm Coleman used a marine company in Texas to pay $75,000 to the senator via a Minneapolis insurance company where Coleman's wife, Laurie, is an independent contractor. The suit attributes the allegations to a "confidential source."

*snip*

Sheehan also said that the Star Tribune, by reporting on the lawsuits, "is actively participating in the destruction of the reputation of Senator Coleman and his wife.''

On a campaign swing through the state Friday, Coleman characterized the first lawsuit, which was filed in Texas, as a false and "sleazy" political attack. In a written statement, he linked it to "malicious'' campaigning by DFL challenger Al Franken "and his allies.''

"If my opponents have any shred of decency left in this campaign -- stop attacking my family,'' Coleman said in a statement.

Franken spokeswoman Colleen Murray said no one associated with the Franken campaign had anything to do with bringing the lawsuit to light. She said Coleman was trying to deflect serious sworn allegations by Paul McKim, founder of Deep Marine Technology Inc. of Houston, in the first lawsuit. That lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court in Houston, also alleges that Coleman friend Nasser Kazeminy steered the money from Deep Marine to the senator via Hays Companies, where Laurie Coleman, the senator's wife, has worked as an independent contractor since 2006.

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BTW, these lawsuits are being filed in Texas by REPUBLICANS! HAHAHAHAHA!

-Matt

[SuperTrouper]

1. Coleman is such a loser. He will lose

[MNDemNY]

2. Mr. Forman??Is that you?

[Wickerman]

3. Wah! Whot a baby

He's pissed because his steady stream of negative campaigning had no effect on Franken. He stopped the negs once the negs became clear they weren't working. His supporters continued so it was pretty transparent.

Now this. Put a fork in yerself, Normie.

[kikiek]

4. If you read the lawsuit it is apparent he could be in very big trouble. He isn't the target.

But he is one of the reasons for the lawsuit. The shareholders and others from the company are complaining about the way the company is conducting business. And giving Norm money is one of the ways!

[MinneapolisMatt]

5. Bingo.

He's not even the target, and he's complaining.

So what did he do to deflect attention?

SUE AL FRANKEN for defamation over some campaign ad!

It's such a joke.

[kikiek]

8. Yup. Coleman knew it was coming so he filed a defamation suit to make it appear it is just another

attack by Franken. What a loser. He will go down over this I think.

[No Elephants]

6. Republicans in Texas are the allies of Minnesota's liberal Al Franken? Is Coleman not em-

barrassed to be trying to get away with that? Guess not.


Maybe he and Michelle Bachmann could hold hands as they leave Washington, D.C. It could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

What is wrong with Minnesota and Connecticut, anyway?

[MinneapolisMatt]

7. Well...

...Coleman got what clearly would have been Wellstone's seat by default, really. Even though Mondale came out of retirement to replace Wellstone, it was just too late.

We also have very strong third party candidates here, that often peel off all kinds of voters. That's how Coleman lost the governors race in 1998 to Ventura, and won his senate seat in 2002.

As far as Bachmann...the sixth district is a a crazy hybrid of towns. Small towns, rural farming areas, and suburbs that wrap in a huge arc around the eastern and northern part of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Just not very liberal areas.

[MinneapolisMatt]

9. BTW...

The StarTrib has continuously changed the headline, link, and body of the article various times over the last few hours...to cover for Coleman!

Talk about CYA.

OH, and they've been moderating the hell out of the comments. Ugh.

So if the link stops working, you'll know why.

[kikiek]

11. I sent them a message about that.

I am canceling my subscription over this.

[Morning Dew]

13. The strib is continuing the downward slide - Their editorial "counterpoint" endorses Gramps

and it's nearly as big as the Obama endorsement.

Phhhttttt.

[Beausoir]

19. The Strib is burying this story. Normy is in big trouble and the STRIB is in CYA mode.

[MinneapolisMatt]

10. Some more good info over at Kos...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/1/95232/7506/284/648580

:)

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

12. Hey, Norm, FUCK YOU, you corrupt, lying, Bushbot asshole,

I really mean it. Just FUCK YOU totally and completely.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

14. I donated to Franken AGAIN last night

and I'm not even a potential constituent.

I'm not a big donor by any stretch of the imagination but I have given more money to Al Franken than to anyone else (with the exception of Obama). I believe he will not only make a great senator for Minnesota but he will also give all Democrats a great advantage in the Senate.

I know Barkley is making this a long shot for Al, but I am hoping for the best.

[MinneapolisMatt]

15. He's making it tough for Franken.

No question.

But I have a feeling the solid Dems for Franken aren't wavering...it's the Repubs for Coleman who must be thinking about:

Coleman or Barkley now?

I like that idea!

[wroberts189]

16. Senator Franken #60 n/t

[Dinger]

17. How Sweet It Would Be For Franken To Win!

Just imagine, imagine . . .

[MinneapolisMatt]

18. Yes indeed.

Oh, it's going to be a close one.

[grantcart]

20. Great timing with the Stevens conviction - I am sure people will make the connection

[MinneapolisMatt]

21. They sure are!

Lots of comments about this are similar to:

"Isn't this what sent Stevens to jail?"