MONDALE, OTTO, ELLISON, AND AN EDINA MOTHER DEMAND APOLOGY FROM COLEMAN, REPUBLICANS AFTER “VILE” DIRECT MAIL PIECE “CROSSES THE LINE”

Minnesota Leaders Warn Fellow Parents About “Rape Mail” Targeted At Minnesota Children, Call On Coleman To End Coordination With Culprits

Mail Piece Generating National Attention For Appalling Tactics - But Coleman Wants To Lead The Group Responsible

SAINT PAUL [10/27/08] - After the partisan attack group Norm Coleman is actively campaigning to lead sent Minnesotans a mail piece targeted at children that contained discussion of rape and pornography, Minnesota elected officials called on Coleman to apologize and end his coordination with the group.

State Auditor Rebecca Otto:

“Norm Coleman’s friends at the National Republican Senatorial Committee did something this week that should outrage every mother in this state. Minnesota families would appreciate a public apology from Norm Coleman on behalf of his party, and a commitment that he will not try to be the head of the committee that produces this type of garbage, and uses this type of slimy tactic. Stick to the issues that affect families.”

Edina Mother Marcela Roos:

“This piece of mail would offend anyone, but as a mother, I’m especially upset. This really crosses a line - it targets our children and taunts them to open it, only to find offensive and inappropriate material inside dealing with rape and pornography. It is really amazing to me that anyone running to lead our state and our country would use a tactic as shameful as this to win some votes.”

Less than three weeks ago, Coleman pledged to end all negative campaigning - but as the Franken campaign has documented at www.alfranken.com/winkwatch, that pledge was a lie, as Coleman has continued to coordinate with and “wink” to closely allied groups responsible for increasingly vicious and false smear attacks.

In fact, The Hill newspaper reports that Coleman is waging a “vigorous behind-the-scenes campaign” to take over the group responsible for the latest and most disgusting piece, a mailer designed to attract children to read a discussion of rape and pornography. Coleman even approached Senator Mike Enzi to solicit his support.

Minnesota leaders condemned the piece and demanded that Coleman apologize for his involvement with the attack group, publicly demand that it cease its involvement in the Minnesota Senate race, and end his campaign to lead it.

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Coleman’s Allies Have Sent Upwards Of $3 Million On Attacks Since Coleman “Went Positive.” Since Coleman’s decision to take down his negative ads, Coleman’s allies have spent almost $3 million attacking Al Franken. The attacks include $2,616,076 in TV ads, $309,828 in radio ads, three web videos and four mail pieces attacking Al Franken from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the US Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Job Security, the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. [Al Franken For Senate, Wink Watch]

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: IF YOU WANT THE PARTIES TO STAY OUT, YOU CAN CALL THEM AND THEM TO STAY OUT

Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT): “Shays has denounced the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) for linking Himes to Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), who has admitted to having extramarital affairs and was recently reported to have paid one of his mistresses more than $120,000 in hush money. Shays also criticized NRCC attempts to link Himes to Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who has asked the House ethics committee to investigate several recent revelations about his personal finances. Shays said he has asked the NRCC not to run ads in his district. ‘I pleaded with them: Let me sink or swim on my own,’ Shays said in a debate Thursday, according to a Hartford Courant article. The NRCC has yet to make an independent expenditure in the race, while the wealthier DCCC has spent more than $800,000 on Himes’s behalf.” [The Hill, 10/18/08]

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ): “In Arizona’s 8th district, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) last week spoke out against a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) ad that focused on a bus company owned by her opponent’s family. She called the committee to pull the ad, and this week it obliged, according to the Associated Press.” [The Hill, 10/18/08]

COLEMAN IS RUNNING TO BE “THE MOST PARTISAN REPUBLICAN ON THE HILL”

Coleman’s Senate Colleagues Confirm He Is Asking For Their Votes For NRSC Chair. According to The Hill, “Several Republican senators told The Hill that Cornyn and Coleman have asked for their votes in recent days. Most said they would not commit to either candidate until they know the results of next month’s election. Both incumbents are seeking leadership posts weeks ahead of difficult reelection bids against viable challengers. They both talked to me and they both asked me to commit, said Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), who said he would wait to make a decision.” [The Hill, 10/2/08]

The Hill: “Coleman’s Vigorous Behind-The Scenes Maneuvering Has Raised Eyebrows.” According to The Hill, “Coleman’s vigorous behind-the-scenes maneuvering has raised eyebrows because he is in the midst of a close reelection race against Democratic challenger Al Franken.” [The Hill, 10/2/08]

Coleman “Privately Expressed Interest” in Taking Over NRSC Chairmanship For 2010 Election Cycle. According to Roll Call, “Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) has privately expressed interest in taking on that job as well and has engaged in quiet discussions within the Conference about his plans.” [Roll Call, 10/3/08]

While Running For Senate In Minnesota, Coleman Is Also Running “To be The Most Partisan Republican On The Hill.” In October 2008, The Hill reported, “Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said she was surprised Friday to learn of Coleman’s NRSC candidacy. She said the move belies recent statements that he was focused on his reelection campaign and committed to working across the aisle. “Minnesota’s going to go Democratic, and he’s running to be the most partisan Republican on the Hill,” she said.” [The Hill via Star Tribune, 10/3/08]

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 16:26 and is filed under Press Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.