Senate Voting Record: Coleman Voted with Bush Nearly 90 Percent of the Time

SAINT PAUL [08/04/08] – The Al Franken for U.S. Senate campaign today officially unveiled a new website, www.bushcoleman08.com, devoted to exposing the ties between Norm Coleman and George W. Bush on the ten issues central to Bush’s presidency.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Norm Coleman is spending a lot of money trying to fool people into thinking he’s an independent voice. But on every issue from the economy and the war in Iraq to privatizing Social Security and selling out to Big Oil, he hasn’t been a voice – he’s been an echo for George W. Bush and his special interest friends.”

The website serves as factual support for the Franken campaign’s latest TV ad, “Two Images,” which began airing over the weekend.

WCCO-TV Reporter: If You Look At The Record, Coleman Was A “Rubber Stamp” For The President. In June 2008, after an interview with Senator Coleman, WCCO-TV reporter Esme Murphy told Professor Larry Jacobs, “Let’s talk about the campaign ad I mentioned in which the senator’s wife brings up the point that a lot of people think that he is a rubber stamp for the Bush administration. If you look at the record, definitely for the first four years, he was. I mean, he really did vote with the president. In the past two years, he has clearly distanced himself.” [WCCO-TV, 6/29/08]

Coleman Has Voted With Bush 86% Of The Time; 98% In His First Year Alone. During his time in office, Norm Coleman has supported the President 86% of the time. [CQ Voting Studies]

• 2003: Coleman Voted With Bush 98% Of The Time. According to Congressional Quarterly, during his first year in the Senate, Coleman supported the president 98% of the time. [CQ Voting Studies]
• 2004: Coleman Voted With Bush 92% Of The Time. According to Congressional Quarterly, in 2004, Coleman voted with the president 92% of the time. [CQ Voting Studies]
• 2005: Coleman Voted With Bush 84% Of The Time. According to Congressional Quarterly, in 2005, Coleman voted with the president 84% of the time. [CQ Voting Studies]
• 2006: Coleman Voted With Bush 88% Of The Time. According to Congressional Quarterly, in 2006, Coleman voted with the president 88% of the time. [CQ Voting Studies]
• 2007: Just In Time To Run For Re-Election, Coleman Voted With Bush 68% Of The Time. According to Congressional Quarterly, in 2007, Coleman tried to obfuscate his presidential support and voted with Bush 68% of the time. [CQ Voting Studies]

Star Tribune Called Coleman “An Attack Dog For President Bush;” Said Coleman Demeaned Senate And His Constituents. In a July 2004 editorial, the Star Tribune criticized Coleman for his role in the Republican media blitz during the 2004 Democratic national convention in Boston. The editorial said, “We do, however, have a problem with Coleman’s behavior in Boston on behalf of the Bush campaign. The senator has morphed into an attack dog for President Bush, and in the process he has demeaned the U.S. Senate and embarrassed many of his constituents.” [Star Tribune, editorial, 7/29/04]

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