SAINT PAUL [06/17/08] ­ Al Franken, DFL candidate for U.S. Senate, today reacted to Norm Coleman’s stunning admission that even knowing what he knows today, he would have supported the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Franken said:

“Every day, I talk to Minnesotans who know that the reasons we were given for this war were false ­ and that the cost has been too great. But Norm Coleman still doesn’t get it.”

He added:

“There’s an important difference between me and Norm Coleman when it comes to Iraq. We’re spending $400 million a day there. And Norm Coleman wants to stay the course. I want to go in a different direction. I want to stop pouring money into Iraq and start investing in health care, education, infrastructure, and things we need here at home. That’s a big choice for Minnesotans. Stay the course? Or a new direction?”

COLEMAN ON WHETHER HE WAS WRONG TO SUPPORT THE WAR KNOWING WHAT HE KNOWS NOW: “UM, NO. NO.”
Yesterday, Coleman was asked, “Based on what you know now, was your support for the war then wrong?” Coleman answered, “Um, no. No. Based on what I knew then I would have made the same decision.”
Coleman Press Availability, 6/16/08 (via Pioneer Press, “The Political Animal,” 6/16/08 )

NORM COLEMAN BACKED THE WAR IN IRAQ FROM THE START AND HAS REPEATEDLY OPPOSED A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL

September 2002: Coleman Said A Vote Against War Authorization Would Be “Outside The Mainstream.” Anticipating Sen. Wellstone’s vote against the 2002 Iraq war authorization, Coleman said, “This is one of those examples where you say, ‘Hey, this guy is way outside the mainstream.’”
[Associated Press, 9/26/02]

March 2003: Coleman Said, “I Agree With The President” On Invading Iraq. After the first U.S. strikes against Iraq in March 2003, Coleman said, “War is always costly, but the threat of terrorism is also real. That reality causes us to act decisively when we are threatened.” He added, “I agree with the president that it’s better to send soldiers into battle rather than police and firefighters to future terrorist attacks.”
[Gannett News Service, 3/21/03]

February 2004: Coleman Said He Had “No Regrets About Going To War;” Worried About Those Who Took Different Approach. In February 2004, Coleman told the editorial board of the Pioneer Press, “I regret the loss of life, but have no regrets about going to war. I worry about those would have taken a different approach. I firmly believe that President Bush is doing the right thing.”
[St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2/22/04]

September 2004: Coleman Said, “Whatever The Future Brings, We Must Stand With This President.” In September 2004, Coleman praised President Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq and said, “Whatever the future brings, we must stand with this president.”
[Star Tribune, 9/22/04]

2005-Present: Coleman Has Voted Against Changing Course In Iraq 17 Times. Since November 2005, Norm Coleman has voted against changing course in Iraq 17 times.

[ S 1042, Vote 322, 11/15/05; S 2766, Vote 181, 6/22/06; S 2766, Vote 182, 6/22/06; HR 4954, Vote 243, 9/13/06; HR 2764, Vote 438, 12/18/07; HR 2764, Vote 437, 12/18/07; HR 4156, Vote 411, 11/16/07; HR 3222, Vote 362; 10/3/07; HR 1585, Vote 346, 9/21/07; HR 1585, Vote 345, 9/20/07; HR 1585, Vote 252, 7/18/07; HR 1591, HR 1495, Vote 167, 5/16/07, Vote 147, 4/26/07; HR 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07; HR 1591, Vote 116, 3/27/07; SJR 9, Vote 75, 3/15/07; HR 2642, Vote 138, 5/22/08 ]

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