Norm Coleman not running for governor

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm probably wants to spend more time with his weed:

Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman will not run for governor in 2010, the Republican announced Sunday on his Facebook page.

Coleman, who lost re-election to Democrat Al Franken in a close contest in 2008 that took six months to resolve, said it is the wrong time to launch a new campaign.

"This is not the right time for me and my family to conduct a campaign for Governor," Coleman wrote in the Facebook post. "The timing on this race is both a bit too soon and a bit too late."

It's never the right time for you, Normy. Why can't you understand that?

And I'm saying that a bit too politely and a bit too tastefully.

Norm Coleman Could Possibly, Maybe, If It Makes Sense, Run For Governor Of Minnesota

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm isn't qualified to run for Sarah Palin's personal assistant, let alone governor of a state that recently determined he's The Biggest Loser:

Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), who lost to Democrat Al Franken in the heavily-disputed 2008 Minnesota Senate race, is still keeping the door open on a possible run for Governor of Minnesota in 2010.

Coleman told Minnesota Public Radio: "I'm doing what I want to do right now but sometime early next year I will reflect on [a gubernatorial run] and if it makes sense for Minnesota, if it makes sense for me and my family then I can move in that direction. But I have deliberately not put a lot of thought into it."

"If it makes sense for Minnesota"? That does it, then. No way he can run. None. Zero.

H/t: Cody

Norm Coleman diagnosed with Bell's palsy

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm's making all the jokes before anyone else can, the ones we'd be too tasteful to make anyway:

Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, widely considered a potential candidate for governor next year, confirmed to CNN Friday that he has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a generally temporary condition that affects the nerves of the muscles on one side of a person's face.

"[I was] heading back to the Twin Cities, I'm getting on a plane taking a little sip of water, and realize I'm dribbling out of the left side of my mouth," Coleman told CNN in a phone interview from his home in St. Paul. "I'm smiling, but only half of my face is smiling, so I realize I think we have a problem here." [...]

"Bell's palsy, paralysis on the left side of my face," Coleman said. "The good news is that…I had a little movement, and by having a little movement it says the prognosis recovery is really pretty good."

Coleman said he expects a full recovery — the condition generally disappears within several weeks or months — but that in the meantime he'll have to endure "the two-faced politician jokes, and talking out of one side of my mouth comments."

Actually, a close friend of mine had this, and all her symptoms did disappear within a few weeks. But until that happened, she had the appearance of a stroke victim. It's not fun.

Norm Coleman has a new gig... at Al Franken's alma mater

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm goes to Hahvahd:

Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman has a new gig — at successor Al Franken's alma mater.

Harvard University's Institute of Politics announced Thursday that the former Republican senator will be part of its latest class of teaching fellows.

Maybe some of their smahts will rub off on him.

Poll-itics: Norm Coleman Hurt by Court Fight

By GottaLaff

Awww.... Wait. Toker Norm wasn't hurt before the court fight? Why not?

A new Public Policy Polling survey finds that 52% of Minnesota voters now have an unfavorable opinion of former Sen. Norm Coleman (R) following the protracted recount in last year's Senate race.

Key finding: 54% of respondents indicated that the way Coleman handled the recount made them less likely to support him in any future campaign.

Stating the obvious. What took everyone so long?

VIDEO: Norm Coleman Concedes to Al Franken + Obama statement

By GottaLaff



Here you go, live and in color. Well, taped and in color.

Beauteous, is it not?

President Obama issued a statement reading, “I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”

BREAKING: Coleman concedes

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm just congratulated Al Franken and said he'd abide by the court ruling.

He accepts loss, says MSNBC's headline.

He also thanked Amy Klobuchar. Thank her? She deserves a medal.

He says he's "at peace".

"2008 is over... we should all work together." Yeah, but it's now 7 months into 2009. What took you so long?

He says he's "not looking back." Maybe he should have thought of that months ago.

He won't comment on running for governor... wants to go "catch fish". Address the future another day, he says.

SENATOR AL FRANKEN:

Not-$enator Coleman'$ long$hot court battle

By GottaLaff

One word: GiveitupTokerNorm:

Republicans know they’ll need every last dollar in next year’s campaign if they want to keep Democrats from topping 60 seats in the Senate.

So with potentially better Senate investments on the horizon, is it worth continuing to pour money into Norm Coleman’s long-shot Senate campaign if the race keeps going on and on? [...]

Over the past three months, the NRSC spent nearly $1 million to pay his legal bills, and since Election Day, Republican senators and the RNC have pumped in hundreds of thousands of dollars more. Last Thursday, the Federal Election Commission opened the door for Coleman to use campaign cash to defend himself in two lawsuits unrelated to the current recount battle — putting the former senator in the position of asking his GOP donors to pick up more of his hefty legal tab. [...]

By continuing to support Coleman’s bleak chances ahead of a bruising election year, Democrats gleefully think that the GOP is wasting precious 2010 resources. [...]

There is an increasing expectation within GOP circles in Washington and Minnesota that Coleman is going to call it quits if he loses before the state Supreme Court, even though sources in Coleman’s camp insist he won’t make up his mind until he sees the court’s decision. [...]

“If you say ‘Well, you can pick up a seat in Minnesota for an extra million dollars’ — that’s a real bargain,” said Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), who is up for reelection in 2010.

A million smackeroos is a real bargain? Who'd be stupid enough to cough up a wad of bills for a loser like Norm Coleman? What shriveled-brain blind supporter would publicly admit something like that?

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he had no qualms donating money to Coleman’s cause — and he says he’ll keep backing Coleman even if he takes the case to either to the U.S. Supreme Court or federal district court. “I’m going to back Norm whatever he does,” Graham said.

Alrighty then, that answered that.

It's almost like Toker Norm is... oh I dunno... lost. Meandering aimlessly... waiting for some enormous gaggle of fools to rescue him....

“It’s a great American tradition if you got one sailor lost in the sea, you send the entire Navy to go find him,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

At least Normy can focus all of his attention on this one court battle. I mean, it's not like he has any other legal debts or controversial issues to contend with, because, you know, that would be really embarrassing.

Hm? Whazzat?

Oh:

But even as he pushes his recount challenge into its eighth month, Coleman faces other sticky legal problems unrelated to his election. He’s monitoring two lawsuits alleging that a longtime associate, Nasser Kazeminy, improperly steered some $100,000 to Coleman through his wife’s place of employment.

Lo. $er.

Franken-Coleman Ruling Could Come Today

Every single person in Minnesota needs to get on their reps and hammer them about seating Franken. Via Taegan-

Politics in Minnesota "has now heard from two sources on different sides of the Minnesota U.S. Senate race recount scene" that the final Minnesota Supreme Court ruling is expected to arrive today between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Added- Greg says not so fast.

Minnesota Court Orders Coleman To Pay Franken Over $94,000

Dollars from heaven. Wonder if this portends anything?

In an order issued just a short while ago, the Minnesota election court has now commanded Norm Coleman to pay Al Franken $94,783.15 in itemized costs from the trial.

The Franken legal team had originally asked for $161,000, but the court rejected some of the claims as either not being sufficiently documented or not justified under the loser-pays provision of the election contest law. Bear in mind that even the $161,000 claim would only have made a small dent in the millions that have been spent in this process.

Coleman Seen as Likely to Give Up Fight

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm probably needs time off to start up his bid for governor:

Roll Call reports Senate Republicans will defer to Norm Coleman's (R) decision whether or not to pursue a federal lawsuit if he loses his Senate recount court case to Al Franken (D) in Minnesota.

In addition, sources close to Coleman say he "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."

I don't care what his reasons might be. Just get #60 in already!

Coleman v. Franken

By GottaLaff

First, here is where we stand as of today:

The Minnesota Supreme Court heard an hour of arguments on whether absentee ballot problems justify reversing a lower-court ruling that declared Al Franken (D) the winner over Norm Coleman (R) in last year's U.S. Senate race, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The hearing concluded with a justice saying "a decision will be forthcoming" -- offering no indication how long that process could take.

Rick Hasen: "There's no question that Coleman's side got much tougher question than Franken's side, and based upon oral argument I would not be surprised to see a unanimous decision in favor of Franken in a relatively short time frame (within two weeks -- maybe sooner). I counted at least three of the five Justices who were much more willing to accept Franken's arguments than Coleman's arguments, and who asked Coleman's side much more difficult questions."

Next, today's L.A. Times had an op-ed, written by Richard L. Hasen (a professor specializing in election law at Loyola Law School), titled "How to seat Al Franken". Here are some excerpts:

The only reason for a new federal lawsuit would be to delay the Democrats' ability to obtain a 60th vote [...] Even if Pawlenty chooses not to sign the certificate of election, the Senate, as the constitutionally authorized arbiter of disputed Senate elections, should declare Franken the provisional winner.

A more immediate question if Coleman loses in the Minnesota court is whether the Senate should await the outcome of any direct appeal of the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court before seating Franken.

Coleman ordinarily would have 90 days after the Minnesota judgment to file his petition in the U.S. Supreme Court, and the high court would not be expected to rule on whether or not to hear Coleman's appeal before the beginning of its next term in October, at the earliest. But Coleman can ask to expedite the process. And the Senate should give Coleman only a short window of time to seek an immediate stay of the Minnesota court ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. If Coleman does not quickly seek a stay, or if he files for it and the high court denies the stay, the Senate should provisionally seat Franken.

The U.S. Supreme Court would issue a stay only if it thinks there's a good chance Coleman would win his appeal and that the Senate seating of Franken would irreparably harm Coleman. That's what happened in 2000 when George W. Bush sought a stay to prevent the Florida Supreme Court-ordered recounting of votes in Florida. If the court declines to issue Coleman a stay, it would be time for the Senate to give Franken the seat pending further court developments.

With Coleman facing such long odds at that point, there would be no reason to deny the people of Minnesota half of their Senate representation for another three or more months.

No matter what happens, the Rushpublics will continue to look like the Party of Constipat--er, Blockage. Their negativity and hypocrisy are astounding, and their lack of respect for democracy could be packaged and sold as Raid Voter Repellent.

Five Votes Will Now Decide Minnesota Senate Race

Dear sweet Jebus, let it be over. Via Taegan-

"Almost seven months after a U.S. Senate election that was too close to call, five justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday on whether problems with absentee ballots justify reversing a lower-court ruling that declared Al Franken (D) a 312-vote winner over Norm Coleman (R), the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

"A decision upholding the lower-court ruling could end the protracted struggle and allow Franken to join the Senate, giving Democrats an invincible majority. A ruling for Coleman wouldn't return him to the Senate, but could keep his hopes alive and delay a final decision for months."

The Hill: "Franken has spent the past month and a half behaving more as a senator-in-waiting... Coleman, meanwhile, has maintained a hands-on presence in preparing the appeal."

Coleman Camp To Pay $94,000 To Franken's Legal Team?

By GottaLaff

Young Toker

It's not like Toker Norm doesn't have $750,000 in his stash, now is it?

Norm Coleman's appeal of his defeat in the Minnesota election trial has not yet been argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court, but the two campaigns are busy litigating yet another point: How much Coleman's campaign will have to reimburse the Franken camp for legal costs under the loser-pays provision of the election law.

As of now, and as determined by the court clerk, Coleman will owe Franken about $94,000 for trial-related fees. Team Franken had asked for $161,000, which was then reduced by the clerk after the Coleman camp objected that some of these costs either didn't qualify or weren't sufficiently itemized.

This hardly begins to cover the millions that have been spent on legal fees, but it's one more thing for Coleman to worry about. [...]

The Coleman camp argued that they should not have to pay until the appeals process is over -- due to the possibility that they can still win. [...]

In the Franken camp's reply, filed on May 13, they say that there is no legal basis for Coleman to delay paying the check.

Senate Republicans Agree to Pay Coleman Legal Bills

By GottaLaff

Yesterday I posted a link to a site called "A dollar a day to keep Norm Coleman away". Now Toker Norm has his own big, fat, major source of cash to pay off his legal bills. And how nice that Rushpublics find it more important to deprive Minnesota of a U.S. Senator than to support democracy. America first!

NBC News reports that the NRSC has committed $750,000 to help Norm Coleman (R) pay his legal bills in his fight with Al Franken (D) over Minnesota's empty U.S. Senate seat. This all but confirms the strategy that Republicans would rather have an empty Senate seat than one filled by a Democrat.

"It's worth pointing out that this $750,000 isn't chump change."

Meanwhile, a new Rasmussen Reports poll finds that most Minnesotans believe Coleman should concede to Franken, 54% to 41%.

Pfft! To hell with Minnesotans and their ludicrous allegiance to the rule of law, fair elections, and accurate recounts. Who cares how they feel when blocking health care reform and other trivial issues is their extra special Rushpublic priority.

VIDEO: A dollar a day to keep Norm Coleman away

By GottaLaff

Incentive:

If thousands of us donate $1 to defeat Republicans each day Norm Coleman doesn't concede, we'll reverse the incentives for his DC Republican funders! Can you donate $1 a day?

Toker Norm needs to go away. Now.

Norm Coleman's raised $90,000 for progressives to defeat Republicans -- thanks to the Dollar A Day campaign at http://NormDollar.com

On May 17, 2009, Coleman came face-to-face with local voters who made sure he got the message that his insistence on being a sore loser has consequences.

Worth every penny.

H/t: Dr. President

FBI Investigating Norm Coleman In Minnesota

By GottaLaff

Oooo, Toker Norm better watch out. They're after him!

The FBI is investigating allegations that former Senator Norm Coleman had clothing and other items purchased on his behalf by a longtime friend and businessman Nasser Kazeminy, according to a source in Minnesota who was interviewed recently by federal agents. [...]

The FBI has also been conducting interviews in Texas, according to media reports, in regards to different allegations that Kazeminy tried to steer $75,000 to Coleman through his wife's employer. Up to this point, there have not been reports of any FBI work taking place in Coleman's home state.

The Minnesota source said the FBI questioning focused on whether Kazeminy had purchased clothing on Coleman's behalf, reports of which surfaced in October. At the time, Coleman vehemently denied the allegations. "Nobody but me and my wife buy my suits," he said.

1) It's "my wife and I," genius. 2) That accounts for the way you look.

The source, who requested to speak anonymously to discuss the matter more frankly, said that payments made to the company that employed the former senator's wife, Laurie Coleman, were also addressed.

In April, Norm Coleman requested permission from the Federal Election Commission to use his remaining Senate campaign funds to pay legal fees resulting from the lawsuit filed against Kazeminy.

Coleman's receptionist called the matter "old news". Yeah, so is torture, but it's still illegal. Who are these people?

The possibility exists that the sole target of the FBI's work is Kazeminy and not Coleman. [...]

Separately, it has been reported that Kazeminy made purchases on behalf of Coleman himself.

H/t: Cody

Michael Steele on Coleman conceding: "No, hell no."

By GottaLaff

Let's keep a tally: Which Rushpublic gives us the most material for posts, Palin or Steele?

In an interview with The Hotline, RNC Chairman Michael Steele said that if the Minnesota Supreme Court doesn't rule Norm Coleman (R) the winner of the U.S. Senate race, "then it's going to the federal courts."

Asked if Coleman should concede if Al Franken (D) is deemed the winner, Steele said, "No, hell no. Whatever the outcome, it's going to get bumped to the next level. This does not end until there's a final ruling that speaks to whether or not those votes that have not been counted should be counted. And Norm Coleman will not, will not jump out of this race before that."

Meanwhile, Rick Hasen has the latest on the court case: "I still think Coleman has an uphill battle here. It would not surprise me if Franken won in an unanimous decision at the state Supreme Court."

Depriving Minnesota of a senator, depriving the Senate of a full vote, depriving America of democracy... Ladies and gents, the chair of the Rushpublic party.

Minnesota Senate race inches toward (non) resolution

By GottaLaff

It's been six months:

Democrats, for now, show no indication they will try to force the issue in Washington by attempting to seat Al Franken, the comic turned politician who has been declared the winner by 312 votes over incumbent Republican Norm Coleman.

Instead the contest will be allowed to play out in Minnesota where a final resolution at the state level may come in about six or seven weeks. Coleman has asked the state's supreme court to reconsider the ruling from a special judicial panel that declared Franken the winner.

What happens after Minnesota's high court rules sometime in June is less clear. The loser could appeal to federal courts but the state's Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, would be under pressure to certify a winner as required by state law.

"We are taking this one step at a time and are confident that the Minnesota Supreme Court will rule in our favor," Coleman spokesman Tom Erickson said.

Some-bo-dy has toked up once too often. Memo to Toker Norm: You lost. Get over it. Move on. Give Minnesota full representation in the U.S. Senate. There's a good little patriot.

[David Schultz, a professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota] said if Pawlenty signs the certificate he would hurt his standing among Republicans as he weighs a possible run for president in 2012. Refusing to sign could put him in contempt of court and harm his chances of winning re-election as governor in 2010.

Senator John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has said there would be all-out war if the Democrats try to seat Franken should he win in the Minnesota court, suggesting that all federal appeals should be exhausted first. [...]

Whoever wins will go to Washington with a poor approval rating and the knowledge that they were elected with a minority of the votes cast.

A recent poll in the Star Tribune newspaper showed Franken with a 43 percent approval rating and Coleman with 38 percent. "Both really only have the support of the base of the two parties," Schultz said.

Coleman's Appeal Brief: Count More Of My Votes -- Or Maybe Nullify The Election

By GottaLaff

Whatcha been smokin', Toker Norm? Take a look at what he wants the state Supreme Court to consider:

To preferably count more ballots that are presumably for Coleman, or else subtract ballots that are presumably for Franken, or declare the whole election null. [...]

In one passage, the choices are phrased succinctly.
"If the trial court's standard is the correct one," it says, "the Court would have to remand for a proportionate reduction of the vote tally on a precinct-by-precinct basis or, more likely, a determination by the trial court that on this record it cannot certify a winner."

Another choice is offered: "on the other hand, if the trial court is not free to impose its strict compliance standard ... then common law and the same constitutional guarantees dictate the remaining uncounted absentee ballots be judged by the same substantial compliance standard, meaning that on remand thousands more absentee ballots would be counted."

The brief makes clear that "Coleman urges the Court to choose the latter approach," but nullifying the election is still held out as an escape hatch of sorts.

The Franken reply brief is due by May 11.

Because allowing Minnesotans to have full Senate representation is wrong. Clearly.