“Attack Dog” Coleman Returns to RNC Stage to Smear Obama
Posted in Press Releases on September 3rd, 2008
Is Last Night’s Attack On Obama A Signal That Coleman Will Reprise Role As Republican “Attack Dog”?
Flashback: Star Tribune Slammed Coleman For “Disgusting Behavior” At 2004 RNC
Saint Paul [09/03/08] – Even though his speech to the Republican National Convention last night was supposed to be a simple welcome for delegates, Norm Coleman couldn’t resist yet another nasty partisan shot at Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
The attack on Obama was just the latest partisan grenade launched by Coleman at the RNC. In 2004, the Star Tribune slammed him for his “disgusting behavior,” saying he “morphed into an attack dog for President Bush” and that he “demeaned the U.S. Senate and embarrassed many of his constituents.” The Star Tribune even demanded an apology on behalf of Minnesotans.
But instead of apologizing, Coleman continues to use the convention as a chance to serve his partisan bosses. It remains to be seen whether that will continue during his speech tonight.
Communications Director Andy Barr:
“Norm Coleman isn’t an independent anything. He’s a Republican party hack, plain and simple. And, as we saw last night, he’s not really at the RNC to represent St. Paul – he’s there to smear Barack Obama. The Star Tribune had it right: Minnesotans deserve better.”
Coleman’s latest attack comes as new SurveyUSA poll numbers show that more Minnesotans disapprove of his performance than ever before.
Star Tribune Called Coleman “An Attack Dog For President Bush;” Said Coleman Demeaned The Senate And His Constituents. In a July 2004 editorial, the Star Tribune criticized Coleman for his role in the Republican media blitz at the 2004 Democratic national convention in Boston. The Star Tribune wrote, “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]
Star Tribune: Coleman Behaved Like He Was Taking Orders Directly From Karl Rove. According to a July 2004 Star Tribune editorial, “It’s one thing for Coleman to introduce Bush at a Twin Cities rally or to appear at a Republican convention to extol Bush’s virtues and bash the opposition. It’s quite another for him to behave as though he were a Republican political operative taking cues from Karl Rove.” The editorial continued, “We can’t recall a precedent for Coleman’s behavior.” [Star Tribune, editorial, 7/29/04]
Star Tribune Called Coleman’s Actions “Disgusting” And Warranting Apology. According to a July 2004 Star Tribune editorial, “It’s disgusting behavior, and it would be equally disgusting if Sen. Mark Dayton were to show up at the Republican Convention in a similar role for Kerry. This isn’t the only way in which Coleman has carried such poisonous political water for Bush, but it is the worst. Coleman owes an apology to the Senate – and to the constituents who elected him and expected him to serve decorously in this nation’s most august political body.” [Star Tribune, editorial, 7/29/04]
Coleman’s Disapproval Rating At An All-Time High. According to last night’s SurveyUSA poll, 51% of Minnesotans disapprove of the job Norm Coleman is doing in the Senate. This is the highest Coleman’s disapproval rating has been since he took office in 2003. [SurveyUSA, Coleman Historical Approval Ratings]
