MN-Sen: Coleman Takes Another Gig

[Pryderi]

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/1/22/114223/690

MN-Sen: Coleman Takes Another Gig

by Josh Orton, Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 12:48:04 PM EST

The Minnesota Senate election is certified. Al Franken won.

And while Norm Coleman disputes the results in endless lawsuits, his other actions tell us he doesn't expect to be back in the Senate:

Last session's senior senator from Minnesota Norm Coleman, still battling Al Franken to be seated in the Senate, has taken a paid job as a consultant to the Republican Jewish Coalition, which harshly attacked Obama last fall, its executive director, Matt Brooks, said.

Coleman will join the group as a "consultant and strategic advisor," and will also travel the country fundraising on the group's behalf, Brooks said.

Two things stink here.

First, Coleman knows he's lost; but he's bitter, he hates Franken, and he wants to make Al's transition to the Senate painful. In the process, Coleman's punishing the people of Minnesota - but maybe that's just collateral damage to Norm.

Second, a little speculation. Norm's facing a rather nagging lawsuit related to shady campaign funding. He'll likely need a rather expensive defense. So by holding out his lawsuit against Franken, could Coleman try to fundraise for a legal fund?

[panader0]

1. When is Al going to the Senate?

[Pryderi]

3. I think Al's going to be held up until March.

[dflprincess]

5. When Coleman stops suing.

Under Minnesota law, the election can't be certified as long as litigation is pending.

I think Coleman is under orders from the Republican leadership to drag this out to keep another Democrat from being seated. It's just another obstructionist move on the part of Repukes. I hope the administration is paying attention to how ready the GOP is to compromise.

[BlooInBloo]

2. You can bet that they'll use Mitchell (part Lebanese, I believe) as one of their rallying cries.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

4. I'd love to read a credit report on this guy.

Something tells me he's in deep.

[Historic NY]

6. that means he vacated his office.

[gratuitous]

7. Whoa, the Republican Jewish Coalition just doubled in size!

The GOP is making gains right and, uh, right.

[DefenseLawyer]

8. You mean besides hawking the Sham-Wow on t.v.?

I thought that was a pretty solid gig right there.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. that actually works, coleman, not so much