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Coleman stumps in FF
Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sen. Norm Coleman stopped in Fergus Falls this morning as part of a statewide tour to kick-off his re-election campaign. Coleman made his formal re-election announcement at a St. Paul rally Wednesday.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters at Barringer’s Coffee House, Coleman said the issues concerning many Americans — rural infrastructure, national security and foreign oil, for example — affect him, too.
“I’m like a lot of folks,” he said. “I had to take a part out of my retirement fund to pay for my child’s college education.”
Coleman touted his efforts to slow an active Supreme Court, protect the Second Amendment and hold the United Nations accountable for its programs in Iraq. He also spoke on biofuels, describing the crucial role ethanol plays in developing other fuel sources.
“Without ethanol the rest wouldn’t happen,” Coleman said, adding, “Ethanol is as much a national security issue as an economic issue.”
Coleman also pledged bipartisanship, saying his years as mayor of St. Paul gave him experience bringing different groups together.
“There are some issues in this country that are too big for one party to solve,” he said.
Photo by Zak Holtan
Sen. Norm Coleman is surrounded by supporters this morning at Barringer’s Coffee House in Fergus Falls where the senator talked about his plans for re-election. About 100 people packed the cafe.
Ultimately, Coleman said, what really matters is what every day Americans envision for the future of their country.
“People think the great ideas come from Washington,” he said. “I think they come from coffee shops.
“A lot of this business (politics) is about heart. It’s about showing your heart and listening to other people’s hearts.”
Coleman briefly mentioned his would-be Democratic opponent, author, radio host and former Saturday Night Live writer Al Franken.
“I’m going to be running on my record,” Coleman said, “unlike my likely opponent, who doesn’t have a record.”
Richard Jennen of Elbow Lake turned out in support of Coleman with three of his five children, Andrew, 14, Stephanie, 13, and Isabel, 9, all home-schooled.
“I figured we could follow his campaign a little bit and get a deeper look into politics,” he said.
For Jennen, Coleman’s major appeal is his right to life stance. Jennen, who has met Coleman and his father before, said the senator is as down-to-earth and friendly as he claims.
Coleman will continue his 15-city tour the next two days.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Newshound (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Man oh man...this guy can't get AWAY from G.Bush fast enough. Ha! Been around politics quite a while and I gotta say this guy doesn't walk....he slithers!!
But then....I also gotta say, he's not the first!
Posted by freda (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Franken comes to town, Sam Kiefer should make sure to pan the audience just as well with his camera then too, so we watch and see who the Franken Fans are!
Posted by freda (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would also note, that when you look at the video and the still pictures, there are plenty more than 100 there, it looks like standing room only - like I said, take those videos and pictures too if Franken comes! That will be entertaining!
Posted by lookitup (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I counted all of the arms and legs and divided by 4, and still came up with about 100. I don't think you can get more than 100 people in that cafe, so no, there were not "plenty more than 100 there".
Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Considering the likely opponent for Coleman - that complete idiot Franken - I'd say old Norm is a shoo-in for 6 more years. Coleman hasn't done anything drastically bad for MN - and he could still do more. But Al Franken as the Dem candidate? Jeesh...I try to be an independent but when the Dems offer me ridiculous choices (like Franken, Clinton, Kerry, and Algore), it isn't too hard to vote GOP. It's that or not vote at all - and I simply can't just sit by and watch the nation crumble without at least trying to get the right people in office.
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've seen Al Franken speak in Fergus Falls....twice. Norm has been in office for 5 years and how many times has he come to town? I think the reality of the situation is Norm is finally realizing that he's up against a serious candidate and it's time he quit taking his job for granted.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ewwwwww. I would rather have Franken's no record than Coleman's existing record. How did this guy ever get into office? What a slimeball. I cringe at the very thought of his northeastern accent.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thethinker, I could not have said it better myself. Thank you.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yes you could mel.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We will see who is the idiot when Coleman and Franken meet in a debate. Franken will mop the floor with Coleman.
Posted by Woodtick (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's because mopping a floor is about all Franken is qualified to do.
Posted by TomTom (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anybody else notice how much of a "yes man" Coleman was for Bush up until he started to campaign for re-election? Now he's desperately trying to distance himself from ol' George W. I know Franken doesn't have the experience but I'd still rather see him in office than another six years of Coleman.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"yes you could mel.,chipmunk" Thanks for the compliment ;)
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to Washington Sen. Franken
Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Franken should have stayed in Hollywood, better yet should have stayed as "Pat" as this is the only reason for why people know him. Hollywood influence: What an act!
Posted by username (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Franken wasn't "Pat." That was Julia Sweeney.
Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My mistake. Either way you look at it, Franken is still an ACT! He may do well on SNL, but when the times get tough he will have no platform to call his own.
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats right he did not play "Pat", he did however play Stuart Smalley and he does have political experience because he also played Sen. Paul Simon.
Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Paul Simon can lend a hand to his race, or even better, find diamonds on the soles of his shoes? All in all this type of candidate is a mere smoke and mirror ACT.
Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The mere fact that Al Franken will actually compel people to vote for him furthers my belief that Americans are getting "dumbed-down" by the numerous poor candidate choices. This is the best the Dems can come up with vs. Coleman? Wow. Stunning. A trained chimp would be better and more entertaining. Coleman will win easily. Very easily. And then we'll see what happens. Again, he hasn't been that bad of a senator.
Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent post THETHINKER! He hasn't been a bad senator and has even held Kofi Annan accountable for the pathetic actions of the UN. Not bad for a "new" senator. We all hope the public won't fall for the ACT of Franken. Leave him at the door steps of SNL and his lame radio talk show and all will be grand.
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
www.ontheissues.org gives a nice easy to read run down of Coleman's voting record. Click on Senate at the top of the page and scroll down to find Coleman.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our government system wasn't originally created for lifetime politicians. The intention was that people would take turns serving their country as legislators and then go back to their regular lives. What is so great about Coleman's experience? And Clinton's for that matter? As Obama points out, Dick Cheney has the most experience of anyone at the White House - does that mean we want him as our President? It's time to quit judging people based on their experience and start looking at the issues and their stance on them.
Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Coleman is far from a Cheney, and Obama is far from a Clinton. Coleman is doing a very decent job for the State of Minnesota and should be commended for his efforts. The Dems should have found a better candidate than Franken, and frankly they have not!
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on March 29, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You Coleman fans aren't very convincing, you all say "he hasn't been that bad", "he hasn't done anything drastically bad for MN", he's doing "a very decent job". Why can't any of you say he is doing a good job? I don't think Franken will do anything drastically bad for MN either, he'll probably do a very decent job.
Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on March 29, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coleman is doing a great job for Minnesota, especially as a "young" Senator!
Posted by freda (anonymous) on April 16, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You don't hear much from Coleman supporters because they don't care much about the Daily Journal enough to read it, pay for it or look at it online for free.
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