Special Interest Senator Was Near Top Of Senate In Private Travel

Franken Releases Latest In “Who Does Norm Work For?” Series

Saint Paul [09/09/08] – The Al Franken for Senate campaign today released the latest in its series exposing shady ties between Norm Coleman and special interests.

The latest spot, airing statewide, reveals that over a three-year period, Coleman took more free trips – paid for by special interests – than almost any other member of the U.S. Senate.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“The more you know about Norm Coleman’s record, the clearer it becomes: he’s not working for Minnesota’s middle-class families, he’s working for special interests. The perks Norm gets from his special interest friends are nice – millions in campaign contributions, bargain rent in a million-dollar townhouse, luxury fishing junkets in Alaska, and free trips around the world – but it’s Minnesota families who end up paying the price for Coleman’s ethical transgressions. It’s time for a change in Washington – and it’s time for a Senator who knows that he works for Minnesotans, not the special interests.”

Watch the ad here:
http://www.alfranken.com/content/video_detail/?id=64

SCRIPT

AL FRANKEN: I’m Al Franken, and I approve this message.

FISH: Remember Norm Coleman’s free fishing trips to Alaska? Turns out that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Coleman’s taken fifty-two free trips paid for by special interests: to Paris…Spain…the Bahamas. In fact, Norm Coleman’s been near the top of the entire U.S. Senate in trips paid for by special interests. Sounds like the special interests have really set their hooks into Norm. Stay tuned for more.

Coleman Participated In Steven’s Fishing Trips Three Times. In October 2007, National Public Radio reported, “Coleman won, and a few months later Stevens invited him to Alaska for a fishing trip. Coleman took his son, and returned for three straight years. Cultivating a close relationship with Stevens, who controlled billions in federal spending, was an important part of Coleman’s job. But accepting these free trips carried a risk, says Merideth MeGehee at the Campaign Legal Center … Federal election law allowed political committees to pay for Coleman’s flights to Alaska. Senate ethics rules let him accept free flights from Anchorage to the fishing tournament, and to stay free at a private riverside home. Federal law, however, does require political committees that pay for such trips to register with the Federal Elections Commission. The committee Stevens’ allies set up to pay for Coleman’s first trip to Alaska didn’t — and that may be a violation of campaign finance laws, according to a former FEC general counsel and other experts.” [National Public Radio, 10/15/07]

Coleman Has Taken 52 Privately Funded Trips Taken In Just 5 Years In Office: According to the Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman’s Personal Financial Disclosure Reports, and National Public Radio, Coleman has taken 52 privately funded trips since 2003. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records; Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Personal Financial Disclosures; National Public Radio, 10/15/07]

• May 22-27, 2004: Coleman Traveled To Barcelona, Spain; Aspen Institute Paid $4586.10. From May 22-27, 2004, Coleman traveled to Barcelona Spain to participate in the Aspen Institute’s Political Islam: Challenges for US Policy program. The Aspen Institute reimbursed Coleman $1,782.10 for transportation costs, $1,820 for lodging and $984 for meal expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]
• May 27, 2004: Coleman and Wife, Laurie, Traveled To Paris, France; Investment Firm Chairman Nasser Kazeminy Paid $2,870. On May 27, 2004, Coleman and his wife Laurie traveled to Paris, France on Nasser Kazeminy’s private plane. The trip was valued at $2,870. [Coleman 2004 Personal Financial Disclosure Form; Star Tribune, 1/21/06]
• February 21, 2005: Coleman and Daughter Traveled To Bahamas; Investment Firm Chairman Nasser Kazeminy Paid $3,960. On February 21, 2005, Minnesota businessman Nasser Kazeminy paid for Coleman and his daughter to fly on his private plane to the Bahamas. The trip was valued at $3,960. [Coleman 2005 Personal Financial Disclosure Report; Star Tribune, 1/21/06]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm and is filed under Press Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.