(Norm) Coleman says he's not going to run for governor

[sabra]

Source: Star Tribune

The former U.S. senator and 1998 GOP gubernatorial candidate says it is "not the right time" to seek the state's top job. | Text of Coleman's Facebook statement.

Norm Coleman said no. The former U.S. senator, whose political power loomed large over the Minnesota governor's race, announced late Sunday that he wouldn't run for governor this year.

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

It was too late for him to organize his troops for what is expected to be a heavily contested GOP endorsement battle. That battle will start on Feb. 2 with precinct caucuses.

It was too soon after the brutal and extended 2008 Senate fight -- which he lost to Democrat Al Franken after a recount and trial -- for him to jump back into electoral politics.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/81944412.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU

[alsame]

1. In other words, he knew he couldn't win. nt

[Brickbat]

2. Even when he held office, Norm knew it was NEVER the right time.

The guy lost to a former professional wrestler, almost lost to a dead man, and lost to a professional comedian. Put a fork in him.

[dflprincess]

11. Let's remember that when Normie lost to Ventura, Hubert Humphrey III did too

it was a three way race and Ventura only got about 35% of the vote. Just as Pawlently has never received more than 45% of the vote because our governor races have been three ways (:evilgrin:) the last several times.

Minnesota is the poster state for Instant Runoff Voting.

[sonias]

3. Excellent!

Bye, bye Norm!

:bounce:


Sonia

[SomeGuyInEagan]

4. He had a good shot at the Rep. nomination, but knew he had little shot in a general ...

... he burned too many bridges with those in the middle here in how he handled the recount.

I certainly don't deny him (or any candidate) the right to contest an election and am proud to live in a state which automatically and by law requires a recount in such a close race (and am also proud to be in a state which has a paper trail of votes to count). But he did himself in for anything in the future in this state with how he conducted himself.

He knew he had little chance with those outside the base in a general election here.

[LuckyLib]

9. Exactly. He was such a vicious SOB during the recount that he's toast now.

[MineralMan]

5. He could not have won, and knows it.

Minnesota is sick of Norm Coleman. Both parties have had their fill of this moron.

[dmosh42]

6. This job might invove work! Like reading. n/t

[UTUSN]

7. Fine. Now can he just fast forward to the next level and DISAPPEAR?!1 n/t

[Zoeisright]

8. Hooray hooray hooray hooray HOORAY!!!!

I don't think I could stand looking at his stupid smirk again. Just go away, Norm.

[USA_1]

10. Best move he ever made in his life

[underpants]

12. He has lost to a wrestler and a comedian

who are we running? someone so formidable that even Norm doesn't want to risk THAT embarrassment?