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Coleman, N Sen

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see AMERICAN ACTION NETWORK pension rev dr

not quite sure how he gets moderate tag (HHH, beat by franken?)

// DIRTY TRUCK PELOSI DEM ATTACK ADS/

INAUG SLUSH 2016

ALICIA LONG

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NEW off bs 4 22

https://americanactionnetwork.org/

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ENERGY18 January 2012

NEWS RELEASE: COLEMAN: FOREIGN COMPETITORS CHEERING OBAMA REJECTION OF KEYSTONE PIPELINE

WASHINGTON –Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the American Action Network, today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline:

“The Obama job killing machinehas struck again and the president’s politically-motivated decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline will have major ramifications both domestically and abroad,” said Coleman. “The facts are clear: the pipeline would create thousands of jobs at zero cost to taxpayers, China is cheering rejection of the pipeline so it can gain a foothold in North American energy production, rising Middle East tensions again threaten the stability of the global oil supplyand Canadian tar sands will be developed with or without us.

“Not only is this a loss for unemployed Americans and our economy, this represents a big win for foreign competitors who will use the oil under far less stringent environmental guidelines than are in place here. As he has done time and time again, the president chose politics over doing the right thing for Americans desperate for work, and a country that is eager to secure our energy independence from hostile regions of the world.”

The American Action Network is a 501(c)(4) ‘action tank’that will create, encourage and promote center-right policies based on the principles of freedom, limited government, American exceptionalism, and strong national security.  The American Action Network’s primary goal is to put our center-right ideas into action by engaging the hearts and minds of the American people and spurring them into active participation in our democracy.

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American Action Network is a 501(c)(4) ‘action tank’ that will create, encourage and promotecenter-right policies based on the principles of freedom, limited government, American exceptionalism, and strong national security.  The American Action Network’s primary goal is to put our center-right ideas into action by engaging the hearts and minds of the American people and spurring them into active participation in our democracy.

America is a nation that has always favored individuals’ enterprises instead of government solutions.  To remain a worldwide leader for ideas, investment and innovation, America must continue to offer thebest combination of economic freedom and pro-growth, smart regulation.  American Action Network will support policies that will make America safe and secure; where choices in education, health care and retirement abound; where taxes are fair and comprehensible; and where government is smaller and smarter with a focus on core functions.

To accomplish these goals, the American Action Network will work in close cooperation with like-minded organizations, like our sister organization, the American Action Forum, to magnify our combined efforts and policies.  In addition, we will support and promote center-right policies that connect with the challenges and hopes of our fellow citizens in a real and meaningful way.

Mission:  Our primary goal is to put center-right ideas into action by engaging the hearts and minds of the American people and spurring them into active participation in our democracy.

The American Action Network is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization, and it is not affiliated with or controlled by any political candidate, party, or officeholder. The Network welcomes supporters of its center-right values and policy proposals regardless of party affiliation, and looks forward to working with legislators, government officials, and advocates of either party who are willing to advance policies consistent with the Network’s principles.

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Dan Conston

President of American Action Network

Board Members of the American Action Network

Norm Coleman

Senator Norm Coleman

Chairman, American Action Network and Of Counsel, Hogan Lovells US LLP

Isaac Applbaum

Founding General Partner, Opus Capital

Rick Berg

Real Estate Entrepreneur

Governor Luis Fortuño

Former Governor of Puerto Rico, Partner of Steptoe,Member of the Corporate, Securities & Finance Group and the Government Affairs and Public Policy Group

Dylan Glenn

Managing Director, Guggenheim Advisors

Barry Jackson

Strategic Advisor, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Jeff Larson

CEO, Roosevelt Group

Thomas Reynolds

Congressman Tom Reynolds

Senior Strategic Advisor,Holland and Knight LLP

Congressman Vin Weber

Partner, Mercury

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4 22 random BS

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ALL ISSUES

TAXES & REGULATIONS

16 February 2022

AAN Launches New Ad Calling Out Hakeem Jeffries’ Sweetheart Tax Deal

WASHINGTON — The American Action Network released a new ad campaign this morning, calling out Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the widely-expected successor to Nancy Pelosi, for pushing higher taxes on Americans while voting for a sweetheart deal that lets him to pay just $200 in property taxes on his $1.2 million NYC condo. The new ad campaign will educate Jeffries’ […]

JOBS & ECONOMY

19 November 2021

AAN Blasts House Vote To ApprovePelosi’s Tax And Spending Hikes

Americans won’t soon forget who’s responsible for its disastrous consequences WASHINGTON — American Action Network President Dan Conston released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to pass Pelosi’s massive tax increase and spending package: “This vote is a defining moment that will cast a shadow over every Member of Congress that lined […]

16 November 2021

AAN Releases New Ads Urging Reps. Spanberger & Luria To Stop Pelosi’s Tax and Spending Hikes

WASHINGTON – American Action Network released new ads in VA-02 and VA-07 this morning, calling on Congresswoman Elaine Luria and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger to stop Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spending hikes. The new ads focus on the recent results in the Virginia Governor’s race, where Virginians overwhelmingly rejected the left’s tax-and-spend agenda, and urge the […]

JOBS & ECONOMY

15 November 2021

AAN Expands Ad Campaign UrgingRep. MurphyTo Stop Pelosi’s Tax and Spending Hike

WASHINGTON – American Action Network expanded its issue advocacy campaign urging Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy to stop Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spending hikes. The new ad, which will run on Orlando broadcast television, features the latest in a series of testimonials from a Florida senior reflecting on inflation and how out-of-control Washington spending is impacting his tight […]

JOBS & ECONOMY

15 November 2021

American Action Network Adds $2 Million To IssueAdvocacy Campaign To Stop Pelosi’s Tax and Spending Hikes

WASHINGTON – American Action Network expanded its months-long issue advocacy efforts to stop Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spending hikes, and this morning added $2 million in new advertising across 8 House Districts. The campaign includes advertising on broadcast and cable television as well as digital mediums calling on Members of Congress to vote no on the […]

27 October 2021

AAN Expands Reconciliation Campaign With 2 New Ads To Stop Pelosi From Monitoring Americans’ Banking Info

New Ads Highlight How Tom Malinowski & Susie Lee Hid Their Finances While Demanding Americans Disclose TheirsWASHINGTON — American Action Network expanded its efforts to stop Nancy Pelosi’s “reconciliation” package with new ads focused on Pelosi’s proposal to allow the IRS to monitor Americans’ private banking information. The new ads show how Congressman Tom Malinowski and Congresswoman Susie Lee are demanding […]

26 October 2021

New AAN Ad: To Protect The Border, Stop Pelosi’s Tax and Spending Plan

Tom O’Halleran And Nancy Pelosi Would Make Our Border Crisis Even Worse WASHINGTON — American Action Network released a new television ad today calling on Tom O’Halleran to protect the border and stop Pelosi’s massive tax and spending “reconciliation” package and its massive giveaways to illegal immigrants. The new ad, backed by a six-figure buy, […]

21 October 2021

AAN Launches New Ad To Stop Pelosi from Snooping In Your Bank Account

WASHINGTON— American Action Network launched a new TV ad this morning honing in on Nancy Pelosi’s plan to allow the IRS to snoop in working Americans’ bank accounts in order to pay for her socialist tax and spending increases. The new ad will run in Chris Pappas’ district (NH-01) on broadcast television and digital, exposing Pelosi’s proposal […]

JOBS & ECONOMY

20 October 2021

AAN Releases $4.5 Million Ad Campaign To Stop Pelosi’s Tax and Spending Hikes

New Ads Will Cross 16 Districts on TV and Digital & Brings AAN’s Spending to $20 Million WASHINGTON — American Action Network is turning up the heat again on Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spending hikes, launching $4.5 million in new TV and digital advertising this morning to stop the left’s reckless “reconciliation” package. AAN’s latest […]

12 October 2021

New AAN Ad: Pelosi Wins. Middle Class Loses.

AAN’s New Ad Blasts Cronyism In Pelosi Spending Bill And Urges Jared Golden To Keep His Promise To Oppose It American Action Network released its latest ad to stop Nancy Pelosi’s massive tax increase and spending plan this morning. The new ad shows how Pelosi and her allies would get special handouts and leave working Americans with […]

5 October 2021

AAN launches SocialistSpendingSpree.com

Adding to our ongoing advertising efforts to stop Nancy Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion tax increase and spending spree, American Action Network launched a new website this morning – SocialistSpendingSpree.com – that showcases how Pelosi and her friends will get handouts, and stick middle-class families with the bill. The new site follows polling AAN released last week […]

1 October 2021

So-called moderates let Pelosi walk all over them (for third time)

The so-called moderates laid down and let Nancy Pelosi walk all over them… again. For those keeping track at home they let Pelosi: Pass her budget without a vote on infrastructure Ignore the September 27 vote they agreed to Then blow past the new deadline they set for a vote last night If any of […]

29 September 2021

AAN District Polling: Reconciliation Bill Unpopular, Key Elements Toxic in Middle of the Road Districts

American Action Network released the results of three separate live caller surveys today examining key elements that surfaced in committee markups of Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion tax and spending bill across three districts: IA-03, NJ-07 and VA-02. The surveys found that raising taxes on small businesses, funding a park in Pelosi’s district, giving tax breaks to elite universities, and subsidizing […]

28 September 2021

Golden sells out seniors

New reports from Social Security say the program will go bankrupt a year earlier than expected, no longer be able to pay benefits starting in 2034. But instead of helping seniors make it to retirement, what is Congressman Jared Golden working on? A $3.5 trillion package chock full of wasteful spending to build a $200 million […]

28 September 2021

Cartwright sells out seniors

New reports from Social Security say the program will go bankrupt a year earlier than expected, no longer be able to pay benefits starting in 2034. But instead of helping seniors make it to retirement, what is Congressman Cartwright working on? A $3.5 trillion package chock full of wasteful spending to build a $200 million park […]

27 September 2021

Vicente Gonzalez backs pink slips for oil and gas workers

Vicente Gonzalez announced his support for Pelosi’s disastrous tax and spending proposal, writing that he supports “swift passage of the President’s $3.5 trillion reconciliation package” – even though it puts 47,000 Texas oil and gas jobs at risk. Texans rely on oil and gas to make ends meet for their families, and Gonzalez is selling out […]

TAXES & REGULATIONS

22 September 2021

AAN Launches $7.5 Million Advocacy Campaign Showcasing Ever-Growing Mountain of Liabilities In Pelosi’s $3.5 Trillion Tax And Spending Plan

This morning, American Action Network launched a new $7.5 million issue advocacy campaign to stop Nancy Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion tax and spending proposal. The new campaign includes broadcast, cable and digital advertising across 24 Congressional Districts and features 6 new advertising messages that spotlight the growing wealth of new and emerging liabilities the bill is bringing […]

JOBS & ECONOMY

17 September 2021

AAN Launches New Ads To Stop Pelosi’s Tax-And-Spending Spree

American Action Network launched a string of new broadcast and digital advertisements this morning to stop Nancy Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion tax-and-spending spree. The new ads, together backed by more than $1.5 million, will run on broadcast TV and digital over 3 weeks in the districts of Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Abigail Spanberger […]

13 September 2021

VIDEO: Pappas refuses to say if he backs “the largest tax increase in half a century”

Congress is proposing “the largest tax and spending increase in half a century,” and already Congressman Chris Pappas is REFUSING to talk about. After an event, Pappas was approached and asked if he supports the new tax package, but rather than telling constituents where he stands, he had has his staff work desperately to block […]

13 September 2021

“The largest tax and spending increase in half a century”

Small businesses are struggling to get back on their feet. Trillions in reckless spending has set off record inflation. Price increases are eating away rapidly at families’ paychecks. And the left’s answer? “The largest tax and spending increase in half a century.” The numbers are staggering. Per POLITICO today, the changes proposed include $1 trillion in […]

9 September 2021

AAN has Murphy scared

Moments ago, Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy announced she will not back Pelosi’s reconciliation bill saying she has “a list of issues” with the proposal. Sadly, Murphy only found the courage to speak up after coming under massive pressure from American Action Network to oppose it. For example: LAST WEEK: AAN went up in Murphy’s district with new ads blasting […]

7 September 2021

New AAN District Polling: Biden Sagging, “Build Back Better” Agenda Toxic In America’s Middle Districts

American Action Network released seven new congressional district polls today from middle-of-the-road districts from coast to coast. The surveys found that President Biden’s approval is now well underwater, that the left’s $3.5 Trillion “Build Back Better” agenda is deeply toxic, and that Americans widely believe the plan will worsen the economic pain families are facing. The surveys were conducted […]

31 August 2021

ICYMI: Bourdeaux takes heat at Coffee with Constituents

As first reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Carolyn Bourdeaux got a bit of a surprise this weekend during her “Coffee with Constituents”, as a mobile billboard paid for American Action Network circled the event reminding Georgians of her vote to advance Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion tax-and-spend plan. The billboard, which rolled through the city throughout […]

31 August 2021

AAN Releases New Ads Blasting Murphy, Gottheimer For Caving To Pelosi On $3.5 Trillion Tax-And-Spend Spree

American Action Network today announced an expansion of its $5 million issue advocacy campaign to stop Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion tax-and-spend proposal, adding 2 key new districts to its buys. Starting today, constituents in the districts of Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) will see new ads and heavy rotations of digital advertising slamming their decision […]

24 August 2021

AAN Slams “Moderates” For Folding To Pelosi On $3.5 Trillion Socialist Spending Plan

American Action Network released the following statement slamming the 10 “moderate” Members of the House of Representatives for folding to Pelosi, betraying their promises to their constituents, and voting to advance Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion socialist wish list. AAN has been up in 39 districts with a $5 million issue advocacy and advertising campaign to stop […]

13 August 2021

House members revolt after AAN hits the airwaves

Well that was quick. This morning, 9 House Democrats are “threatening mutiny” over Speaker Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion liberal spending bill, just 48 hours after American Action Network took to the airwaves with $5 million+ in TV advertising in their districts, warning their constituents about the impact of the dangerous plan. All of which is to […]

11 August 2021

AAN Unveils $5 Million+ Issue Advocacy Campaign Opposing Pelosi’s Reconciliation Bill

American Action Network announced it will spend north of $5 million on a new issue advocacy and advertising campaign to stop the $3.5 trillion “reconciliation” proposal Nancy Pelosi announced earlier this week, with huge tax hikes, wasteful spending, and a socialist takeover of the prescription drug market. AAN’s new campaign will run across 39 Congressional Districts in total with television and […]

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trump inaug

AMERICAN ACTION NETWORK

$1,000,000 12/20/2016

1747 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW

WASHINGTON DC 20006 A nonprofit issue advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. which promotes center-right public policy. Launched in 2010 by Fred Malek, a veteran Republican money-man who served as co-finance chair for Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid; chaired by Norm Coleman, the former Minnesota senator, and ex-GOP-congressmen Vin Weber, Jim Nussle, and Tom Reynolds sit on the board. AAN’s president, Brian Walsh, is a former political director of the NRCC.

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Norm Coleman (chairman): Coleman, a Republican, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and served one term before narrowly losing to Democrat Al Franken after an extended recount fight. He is also the chairman of the related nonprofit American Action Network.  

Senior Governmental Advisor, Hogan Lovells US LLP

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Norm_Coleman

Norman Bertram "Norm" Coleman Jr., a Republican, was a Senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009. (map) In January, 2009, he went to work for the Republican Jewish Coalition[1].

  • 1 Record and controversies
    • 1.1 2008 elections controversy
    • 1.2 National security and foreign policy
      • 1.2.1 Iraq War
      • 1.2.2 Iran
      • 1.2.3 Opposition to proposed Armenian ambassador
    • 1.3 Energy and environment
      • 1.3.1 Oil
      • 1.3.2 Drilling in ANWR
    • 1.4 Abortion and stem-cell research
    • 1.5 Gay rights/marriage
    • 1.6 Trade
      • 1.6.1 CAFTA free trade agreement
    • 1.7 Agriculture
      • 1.7.1 Protecting the sugar industry
    • 1.8 Oversight and investigations
      • 1.8.1 Karl Rove and the Valerie Plame investigation
      • 1.8.2 Investigations Subcommittee, Galloway testimony, and UN structural changes
      • 1.8.3 Hurricane Katrina
    • 1.9 Editing Wikipedia entry
    • 1.10 Immigration
  • 2 Bio
    • 2.1 Background
    • 2.2 Senate Career
  • 3 Money in politics
    • 3.1 Oil Money in Politics
  • 4 Committees and Affiliations
    • 4.1 Committees
      • 4.1.1 Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)
    • 4.2 Coalitions and Caucuses
  • 5 More Background Data
  • 6 Contact
  • 7 Articles and resources
    • 7.1 Resources
    • 7.2 Related SourceWatch articles
    • 7.3 External articles
      • 7.3.1 News links
      • 7.3.2 By Norm Coleman
      • 7.3.3 2001
      • 7.3.4 2002
      • 7.3.5 2003
      • 7.3.6 2004
      • 7.3.7 2005
      • 7.3.8 2006
      • 7.3.9 2007
    • 7.4 Local blogs and discussion sites

Record and controversies

2008 elections controversy

On January 7, 2009, Norm Coleman announced he will challenge the results of a recount for the Senate seat in Minnesota. After a review of contentious ballots, the state canvassing board gave the vote count lead to Al Franken, his Democratic challenger by 225 votes. Coleman must convince a panel of judges that certain ballots were either unfairly excluded or included by the canvassing board.[1] Al Franken requested that Coleman's lawsuit be dismissed, but on January 22, 2009, a three-judge panel rejected that motion. The trial will begin January 26, 2009, at the Minnesota Justice Center in St. Paul.[2]

National security and foreign policy

Iraq War

For more information see the chart of U.S. Senate votes on the Iraq War.

Statements made by Norm Coleman on the Iraq War:

On February 5, 2007, Coleman was one of two Republican Senators who crossed party lines and voted to open debate on a bill opposing President Bush's troop "surge" in Iraq. The measure failed 49-47. Later on February 17, 2007, Coleman was one of seven Republicans to cross party lines and vote in favor of cloture on another non-binding resolution opposing the troop "surge." That measure failed 56-34.

Main article: Congressional actions regarding President Bush’s 2007 proposed troop “surge” in Iraq

Iran

On September 20, 2007, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Jon Kyl, Norman Coleman, and Lindsey Graham filed a "Sense of the Senate" resolution as Amendment No. 3017[4] to the FY 2008 Defense Authorization bill "that the U.S. should 'combat, contain, and roll back' Iran’s 'violent activities and destabilizing influence inside Iraq.' It counsels doing so 'through the prudent and calibrated use of all instruments of [U.S. power], including diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military instruments.' It also urges the administration to designate the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization."[5]

Opposition to proposed Armenian ambassador

On August 2, 2006, Norman said in a telephone interview that he would not support Bush's nominee as ambassador to Armenia. He stated that Richard E. Hoagland would not refer to the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide. Though the Bush administration does acknowlege the killings, they do not label them genocide. Norman stated the following:

"As someone of the Jewish faith, I bring a heightened sensitivity to the reality of genocide and mass murder, and the importance of recognizing it for what it is. I was brought up believing you never forget the Holocaust, never forget what happened. And I could not imagine how our ambassador to Israel could have any effectiveness if he couldn't recognize the Holocaust."[2]

He also stated that "I continue to be troubled by our policy that refuses to recognize what was a historical reality," referring to the United States action of not labeling the murders genicide. [3]

Energy and environment

For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Oil

Norm Coleman has voted in favor of big oil companies on 67% of important oil-related bills from 2005-2007, according to Oil Change International. These bills include Iraq war funding, climate change studies, clean energy, and emissions.[6] See below for oil money in politics.

Drilling in ANWR

On December 21, 2005, Senator Coleman voted to end debate on a defense appropriations bill that included oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) after having pledged in 2002 to oppose such drilling. He stated that he did so because although he planned to vote against the bill, he didn't believe that a filibuster was warranted. The filibuster held, however, and Coleman voted to strip the ANWR provision from the bill in a subsequent vote.[4][5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Abortion and stem-cell research

Coleman identifies himself as being pro-life – he universally opposes abortion. He supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100% of the time in 2005. [10]

Coleman does support stem cell research, but only using adult stem cells and stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood. [11]

On January 23, 2007, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) introduced a bill (S.363) aimed at providing $5 billion over 10 years for stem cell research that does not involve "crossing the ethical line of using taxpayer dollars for the destruction of human embryos." The president for the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical, Sean Tipton, said "It's not clear that this bill would allow the NIH (National Institutes of Health) to do anything it can't already do. [12]

Gay rights/marriage

Coleman opposes the legal recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions by either the federal or state governments:

However, in 1998, Coleman hired a transgendered person, Susan Kimberly, to be his deputy mayor. [[16]](http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=3&q=http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/transeq.pdf&e=9797&sig=__kKlQtzl4gQKrfluOJeok4nJMHuU=) (pdf)

Trade

CAFTA free trade agreement

Senator Coleman expressed reservations about supporting CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) unless the interests of the domestic U.S. sugar industry (including Minnesota's sugar beet industry) were accommodated.[17] He voted in favor of CAFTA after obtaining quotas imposed on foreign sugar until 2008. [18] He stood behind President Bush on August 2, 2005, as the trade agreement was signed into law. [19]

Agriculture

Protecting the sugar industry

In December 2005, Coleman voted for a budget bill that cut funding from a number of programs, but kept funding for sugar beet farmers in Minnesota after Karl Rove advocated the change. Coleman told Congress Daily that he wouldn't vote for a bill that cut sugarbeet funding but "Karl Rove called me and asked what I wanted. A few hours later it was out of the bill." [20]

Oversight and investigations

Karl Rove and the Valerie Plame investigation

Coleman was critical of a Democratic amendment to an appropriations bill that would have denied security clearances to government officials who disclosed the identity of an undercover agent. The amendment, which was aimed at White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove amid allegations that he illegally leaked the name of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame, failed 44-53. Coleman criticized Democrats for the proposal, saying, "What we're seeing today is the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sucking the oxygen out of the spirit of collegiality [in the Senate] ... making something partisan that is being handled by a special counsel ... let the counsel do his work." [21]

Investigations Subcommittee, Galloway testimony, and UN structural changes

Coleman has been one of the loudest voices in Congress championing major structural changes in the United Nations.

In December 2004, in connection with his position of Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Coleman called for United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan to resign because of the "UN's utter failure to detect or stop Saddam's abuses" in the UN's Oil-for-Food program and because of fraud allegations against Annan's son relating to the same program.[22]

In May 2005, Coleman's subcommittee held hearings on their investigation of abuses of the UN Oil-for-Food program, including oil smuggling, illegal kickbacks and use of surcharges, and Saddam Hussein's use of oil vouchers for the purpose of buying influence abroad. These hearings covered the activities of several corporations and well-known political figures, but are much remembered for the appearance of British Member of Parliament George Galloway in which the MP responded forcefully to allegations against him.

"We have your name on Iraqi documents, some prepared before the fall of Saddam, some after, that identify you as one of the allocation holders," Coleman accused. "I am not now nor have I ever been an oil trader" retorted Galloway, stating that the charges were false and part of a diversionary "smoke screen" by pro-Iraq war U.S. politicians to deflect attention from the "theft of billions of dollars of Iraq's wealth... on your watch" that had occurred not during the Oil-for-Food program but under the post-invasion Coalition Provisional Authority by "Haliburton and other American corporations... with the connivance of your own government." Galloway claimed that the subcommittee's dossier was full of distortions and rudimentary mistakes, citing, for example, the charge that he had met with Saddam Hussein "many times" when the number was two. [23] This unusual appearance of a British MP before a US Senate committee drew much media attention in both America and Britain. [24]

The majority staff of the subcomittee prepared a subsequent report pertaining to Galloway which was released in October, 2005. It elaborates on the allegations and evidence of the committee and includes disputed [25] testimony from former Iraqi foreign minister Tariq Aziz. It also alleges that another officer of Mariam Appeal, Galloway's then-wife, received $150,000 in oil kickbacks, which she denies. [[26]](http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/PSIREPORTGallowayOct05FINAL.pdf) [27]

In 2004 and then again in early 2006, reports emerged linking the Australian Wheat Board to the Oil-for-Food scandal. Coleman expressed his desire to speak with Australian officials and put forth the possibility of launching an investigation into possible sanctions busting and bribery as a continuation of his earlier work on similar matters. After meeting with the Australian ambassador, however, he decided to focus his efforts elsewhere and took no direct action (see below May 28, 2006 Star Tribune citation).

Hurricane Katrina

On February 10, 2006, in a meeting of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs of which he is a member, during testimony of former FEMA director Michael D. Brown, Coleman attacked Brown for poor leadership during Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts, "you didn't provide the leadership, even with structural infirmities." Coleman went on, "you're not prepared to kind of put a mirror in front of your face and recognize your own inadequacies" and "the record reflects that you didn't get it or you didn't in writing or in some way make commands that would move people to do what has to be done until way after it should have been done." [28] Brown responded combatively, "Well, Senator, that's very easy for you to say sitting behind that dais and not being there in the middle of that disaster, watching that human suffering and watching those people dying and trying to deal with those structural dysfunctionalities" [29] and implored Coleman to stick to questions. [30] He later likened Coleman's charges to a "drive-by shooting." [31] Brown had recently stated that he notified Department of Homeland Security and the White House of the tremendous scale of Katrina flooding earlier than had been previously reported. [32]

Editing Wikipedia entry

On January 30, 2006, it was reported that Norm Coleman's staff had been actively editing his entry on Wikipedia, removing critical references to his voting record and revising the description of his former political leanings. [33] [34][35] Similar instances of edits to several senators' pages originating from Congressional IP addresses have occurred. [36] Coleman's chief of staff said the editing was done to correct inaccuracies,[37] but Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said "it appears to be a major rewrite of the article to make it more favorable." [38]

Immigration

In May 2007, Sen. Coleman voted against an amendment to the 2007 comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have stripped it of any paths to citizenship or permanent residency for undocumented immigrants, leaving it largely an immigration-enforcement bill. The amendment was defeated, 29-66. The amendment was opposed by the groups like the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the AFL-CIO and the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy.

Bio

Background

Coleman was born August 17, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York. Coleman received his Bachelor of Arts from Hofstra University and Juris Doctor with high honors from the University of Iowa.

He was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota from 1994 to 2002. Previously a member of the :{Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party:(style="color:#ed1c24"):}:, Coleman switched to the Republican Party of Minnesota in 1996. In college, Coleman was a liberal Democrat and was actively involved in the anti-war movement of the early 1970s. He was once suspended from Hofstra College for participating in a sit-in protest against the 1970 shootings at Kent State. When first elected mayor of St. Paul, MN in 1993, Coleman was a DFLer and considered left-of-center politically, but gradually shifted to much more conservative positions on many issues during his tenure and in December 1996 announced that he was switching parties.[39]

In 1998, he unsuccessfully ran for governor of Minnesota against the DFL candidate Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III and the victorious Independence Party (then known as the Reform Party of Minnesota) candidate, Jesse Ventura.

Senate Career

Coleman campaigned in 2002 for the :{U.S. Senate:(style="background-color:#fff200"):}:, after being persuaded by :{Karl Rove:(style="background-color:#fff200"):}: not to run again for governor. He was elected in 2002, narrowly defeating former Vice President :{Walter Mondale:(style="background-color:#fff200"):}:, who only entered the race within days of the election after Sen. :{Paul Wellstone:(style="background-color:#fff200"):}: died in a plane crash. Coleman succeeded Dean Barkley, who was appointed by Governor :{Jesse Ventura:(style="background-color:#fff200"):}: to serve the remainder of Wellstone's term.

In 2004 Coleman campaigned for the chairmanship of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (N.R.S.C.), but was narrowly defeated for the post by Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) in a close 28-27 vote. Coleman's Northstar Leadership PAC made over $200,000 worth of contributions to other Republican senators that were up for reelection during his unsuccessful bid for the NRSC chair. [40]

On January 31, 2007, Coleman declined to comment after he received news that comedian Al Franken decided to enter the 2008 U.S. Senate race from Minnesota.

Franken's PAC raised nearly $1 million in 2006. Although Franken cannot use that money for his Senate campaign, many believed it indicated his ability to raise money for the race. [41]

His senate term expired on January 3, 2009, and less than three weeks later he accepted a job as a consultant and strategic adviser for the Republican Jewish Coalition[42].

Money in politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. cid=N00013870&cycle=2006

Links to more campaign contribution information for Norm Coleman

from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.

Links to more campaign contribution information for Norm Coleman

from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.

Links to more campaign contribution information for Norm Coleman

from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile:2006 election cycleCareer totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation:2006 election cycleCareer totals
Top contributors by industry:2006 election cycleCareer totals

Oil Money in Politics

Norm Coleman has received $139,750 in oil contributions during the 110th congress. $60,000 of those dollars were from industry PACS. In total, he has accepted $287,100 from oil companies from 2000 to 2008, which makes him a top recipient of oil money.[7] See above for oil and energy voting record.

Committees and Affiliations

Committees

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

Coalitions and Caucuses

More Background Data

Wikipedia also has an article on Norm Coleman. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.

Contact

DC Office:

320 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

Phone: 202-224-5641 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-224-5641 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Fax: 202-224-1152

Web Email

Website: http://coleman.senate.gov/

Campaign website: http://www.colemanforsenate.com/

District Office- St. Paul:

2550 University Ave. West, Suite 100N

St. Paul, MN 55114

Phone: 651-645-0323 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 651-645-0323 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Fax: 651-645-3110

District Office- Mankato:

12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2167

Mankato, MN 56001

Phone: 507-625-6800 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 507-625-6800 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Fax: 507-625-9427

Articles and resources

Resources

Related SourceWatch articles

External articles

News links
By Norm Coleman
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007

Local blogs and discussion sites

Corresponding article on Wikipedia and Cause Caller. (If Cause Caller link does not work, pick from its list of senators and representatives.)

Attachments