This new memo examines Norm Coleman’s record, and some of the key numbers that have defined Coleman’s time in the Senate.

FROM:	Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
TO:	Interested Parties
RE:	Norm Coleman’s Record by the Numbers
DATE:	October 29, 2008

Does Norm Coleman deserve to be re-elected? The numbers tell the story:

• 52 free trips paid for by special interests.
• Over $600,000 from big oil and drug companies.
• Living almost rent-free in the $1,000,000 home of a Washington insider.
• Ranked the 4th most corrupt senator in Washington.
• Colman voted nearly 90% of the time with George Bush.
• Together running up a 10 trillion dollar national debt
• It’s time for Norm to go.

52 free trips paid for by special interests.

Coleman Has Taken 52 Privately Funded Trips Taken In His First 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 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]

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]

• Star Tribune: “Senate’s Big Fish Are Lure At Alaskan Tourney; Lobbyists Came To Schmooze At The Annual Event.” In July 2003, the Star Tribune reported, “Seven senators and Commerce Secretary Donald Evans were among the dignitaries who came to the two-day tournament. They came, ostensibly, for the world-class fishing. But the Kenai Classic, in its 10th year, is about baiting and setting of all kinds of hooks. The VIPs were essentially the lure for about 75 captains of industry, defense contractors, lobbyists and other players willing to pay $6,000 per couple for the privilege of fishing and mingling with the power elite at the invitation-only event. VIPs fish free.“[Star Tribune, 7/6/2003, (emphasis added)]
• At Stevens’ Kenai River Classic, Non-VIPs Pay $6,000 Per Couple For Privilege Of Mingling With The Power Elite. In July 2003, the Star Tribune reported, “But the Kenai Classic, in its 10th year, is about baiting and setting of all kinds of hooks. The VIPs were essentially the lure for about 75 captains of industry, defense contractors, lobbyists and other players willing to pay $6,000 per couple for the privilege of fishing and mingling with the power elite at the invitation-only event. VIPs fish free.” [Star Tribune, 7/6/03]
• 2004 Classic Alone Had Executives From At Least 5 Oil Companies. According to the Kenai River Classic Website, executives from at least five oil companies attended attended the 2004 Kenai River Classic, Including Bill Allen of Veco, Michael Brien & Peggy Hudson of BP America, Mark Hanley of Anadarko Petroleum, Ken Konrad & Dave MacDowell of BP Exploration AK, Kevin Meyers & Bill Berry of ConocoPhillips Alaska, Patricia & Joseph Richards of Marathon Oil and Andrew Van Chau & Paul Quesnel of BP Alaska. [Kenai River Classic Website, via the Internet Archive, Accessed 8/20/08]
• “Corporate Logos Were Everywhere” And An Oil Company Paid For Fishing Licenses. In July 2003, the Star Tribune reported, “At the tournament, corporate names and logos were everywhere: Raytheon, United Defense, Honeywell, General Electric, Yamaha, Boeing. There was the Lockheed Martin auction during the AT&T Alascom Banquet. A platoon of volunteers wore jackets with Textron, the parent company of Cessna and Bell Helicopter, stitched on the sleeve. Signs informed the visitors that Marathon Oil paid for their fishing licenses.”[Star Tribune, 7/6/03]

Some Of Coleman’s Other Free Trips:

February 18-20, 2003: Coleman Traveled To Los Angeles, CA; Motion Picture Association of America Paid $1040.82. From February 19-20, 2003, Coleman traveled on a Senate Entertainment Industry Trip to Los Angeles, CA. The Motion Picture Association of America reimbursed Coleman $396.11 in transportation expenses, $507.73 in lodging expenses, $88.98 in meal expenses and $48 for “other expenses.” [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

April 6-7, 2003: Coleman Traveled To Las Vegas, NV; National Association of Broadcasters Paid $3019.75. From April 6-7, 2003: Coleman traveled to Los Angeles, NV to be a congressional panelist for the National Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention. The National Association of Broadcasters reimbursed Coleman $2184.00 for transportation expenses, $685.75 for lodging expenses, and $150 in total meal expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

August 19-26: Coleman And Wife, Laurie, Traveled To Mozambique; World Vision Inc. Paid $3359.20. From August 19-26, 2003, Coleman and his wife, Laurie, travled to Maputo, Mozambique on a fact finding trip. World Vision, Inc. paid $3359.20 for their transportation expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

December 4-8, 2003: Coleman and Wife, Laurie, Traveled To Punta Mita, Mexico; Aspen Institute Paid $6799.77. From December 4-8, 2003, Coleman and his wife Laurie traveled to Punta Mita, Mexico to participate in a conference on US Mexico Relations as part of the Aspen Institute’s Congressional Program. The Aspen Institute reimbursed Coleman $1215.90 for transportation expenses, $2300 in lodging and $1320 in meal costs. The Aspen Institute also reimbursed Laurie Coleman $643.77 for transportation and $1320 in meal expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

January 9-10, 2004: Coleman Traveled To Las Vegas, NV; Consumer Electronics Association Paid $1346.72. From January 9-10, 2004, Coleman traveled to Las Vegas to be a panelist on the Consumer Electronics Association Congressional panel. The Consumer Electronics Association reimbursed Coleman $588.50 for transportation; $608.22 for lodging and $150 for mean costs. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

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]

September 30-October 2, 2004: Coleman Traveled To New York, NY; Mid America Capital Paid $2321.83. From September 30-October 2, 2004: Coleman traveled to New York City to speak at the Bank Owners Group Luncheon and attend the Bank Owners Dinner. Mid America Capital reimbursed Coleman $1,271.03 for transportation, $905.64 for lodging, $140.16 for meals, and $5.00 for other expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

June 15-18, 2005: Coleman Traveled To Beaver Creek, CO; American Enterprise Institute Paid $2310. From June 15-18, 2006, Coleman traveled to Beaver Creek, CO to participate in AEI’s 2006 World Forum panel discussions. AEI reimbursed Coleman $1350 for transportation expenses, $555 for lodging and $405 for meal expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

June 24-26, 2005: Coleman Traveled To Beaver Creek, CO; American Enterprise Institute Paid $1672. From June 24-26, 2006, Coleman traveled a second time to Beaver Creek, CO to participate in AEI’s 2006 World Forum panel discussions. AEI reimbursed Coleman $1125 for transportation expenses, $380 for lodging and $167 for meal expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records]

September 23-26, 2005: Coleman Traveled To Pebble Beach, CA; Hormel Food Corporation Paid $3252.39. From September 23-26, 2005: Coleman traveled to Pebble Beach to speak at the Hormel Foods Board Retreat. Hormel Food Corp. reimbursed Coleman $2207.77 for transportation; $798.97 in lodging expenses and $245.65 for meal expenses. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records; Star Tribune, 1/22/06]

• Coleman On His Pebble Beach Hotel Room: “They’re Probably Not Normal Accommodations.” According to the Star Tribune, In September 2005, Coleman accepted a trip to Pebble Beach, Calif., to speak at a Hormel Foods Corp. board retreat. Records show Coleman stayed in a $545 room for one night and ate at a banquet for 35 that featured steak and prawns, canapes, hors d’oeuvres and $1,200 worth of wine. The disclosure form estimated the meal cost $245.65 (the total cost divided by 35 people), but Coleman’s office said he probably had little more than a $105 plate of steak and prawns. Disclosure forms usually don’t contain such details and aren’t required to. “They’re probably not normal accommodations. I didn’t get to pick the room or not pick the room, Coleman said. [Senate Office of Public Records, Coleman Private Travel Records; Star Tribune, 1/21/06]

Over six hundred thousand dollars from big oil and drug companies.
Coleman Has Taken More Than $275,000 From The Oil And Gas Industry; More Than Any Member Of Congress In Minnesota. For his Senate races alone, Coleman has accepted $276,500 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry. Coleman has accepted more campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry than any other current or former Member of Congress from Minnesota. [Center for Responsive Politics]
Coleman Has Taken More Than $360,000 From The Pharmaceutical Industry; More Than Any Member Of Congress In Minnesota. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Coleman’s campaigns have accepted $361,667 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceuticals/health products industry. Coleman has accepted more campaign contributions from the pharmaceuticals/health products industry than any other current or former Member of Congress from Minnesota. [Center for Responsive Politics]

Living almost rent-free in the million dollar home of a Washington insider.
COLEMAN IS PAYING JUST $600 PER MONTH TO LIVE IN A MILLION-DOLLAR HOME

Coleman Is Paying Just $600 Per Month To Live The Basement Of Jeff Larson’s “Simply Divine” Million-Dollar House. In June 2008, National Journal reported, “In July 2007, Coleman began paying Larson $600 a month in rent for a portion of a one-bedroom basement apartment in a Capitol Hill town house that Larson owns.” In February 2007, 140 North Carolina Ave SE (Larson’s house) was placed on the market and listed on the website of Phyllis Jane Young Realty. Included in the listing is “a huge English basement with a media center, office space, gorgeous custom marble and oak bar plus an airy guest bedroom and bath: Simply Divine!” According to District of Columbia records, Larson paid $989,900 for the house. [National Journal, 6/28/08; Phyllis Jane Young Realty Listing; District of Columbia Public Records]

Coleman Called Larson “The Most Connected Person In D.C. That Nobody In Minnesota Knows.” According to the National Journal, Coleman said of Larson, “He’s the most connected person in D.C. that nobody in Minnesota knows.” [National Journal, 6/28/08]

Larson Said He Bought His DC Home So “People Who Work For Us Will Have A Place To Stay.” According to the National Journal, “Larson said he intended to use the town house as a place for him and other FLS-Connect employees to stay when they were in Washington. In the past, he said, he had found it difficult to book a hotel room when he visited Washington to consult with his Republican clients, including the RNC.” After I looked at what our company paid for hotel rooms, how hard it is to get a room in D.C.” Larson said, “I said, “I ought to just buy a place–people who work for us will have a place to stay.” [National Journal, 6/28/08]

COLEMAN HAS BEEN LATE, MISSED OR BARTERED FOR RENT FOR AT LEAST FOUR OF THE 11 MONTHS HE HAS LIVED IN LARSON’S HOUSE

Coleman Paid Several Months Rent Late. According National Journal, Coleman and Larson have had a rather loose arrangement when it comes to the senator’s monthly $600 rent payments. Copies of the checks they provided to National Journal showed that the checks were often written nine or more days after the first of the month. Larson didn’t cash a check written on March 10 until June 17–after NJ questioned Coleman and Larson about their arrangement. [National Journal, 6/28/08]

Coleman Missed Two Months’ Rent; Retroactive Rent Paid Only After National Journal Inquired. According National Journal, “Earlier this month, after National Journal questioned Coleman and Larson about the living arrangement, the senator said he discovered that his rent for last November and January had not been paid. In mid-June, Coleman covered the back rent with a personal check for $1,200 made out to Larson and signed by the senator’s wife. [National Journal, 6/28/08]

Coleman Sold His Own Furniture to Larson to Cover One Month’s Rent. According to the National Journal, “To cover one month’s rent, Coleman sold Larson a couch, a table and chairs, and a desk from his old apartment. How did they determine that the furniture was worth $600? Larson: “We just looked at it, estimated it was $600 and one month’s rent. We were always conflicted–if it was too high, somebody would say it’s not worth that much. We erred on the side of taking one month’s rent, valued at $600.” [National Journal, 6/28/08]

Coleman’s Living Space Still Includes His Old Furniture. According to the June 2008 National Journal Article Coleman still has use of the furniture he used to barter one of twelve months rent: “Coleman has a bedroom and a bathroom in Larson’s town house and shares the remaining living space, which includes his old couch, table, and chairs, with FLS Connect. A company employee uses a portion of the apartment to work and take calls on some days, according to Larson. “There’s no kitchen. There’s a sink,” Coleman said, in describing the apartment. “And there’s a little refrigerator that I keep water in. There’s no cooking, no nothing.” [National Journal, 6/28/08]

COLEMAN DIDN’T HAVE TO PAY UTILITY BILLS IN LARSON’S APARTMENT FOR 12 MONTHS

Coleman Didn’t Have To Pay Utilities For 12 Months. According to the Star Tribune, “the Coleman campaign Wednesday released copies of the lease that Coleman and Larson signed July 3, and the $532.88 check that Coleman’s wife, Laurie, made out July 14 to Larson for 12 months’ worth of unspecified utilities.[Star Tribune, 8/13/08]

COLEMAN’S SWEETHEART HOUSING DEAL HAS COME UNDER FIRE

Washington Post“‘Capitol Briefing:’ Revelations Surrounding Coleman’s Living Arrangement With Larson Means Coleman ‘Probably Needs A Good Lawyer.’” In June 2008, the Washington Post“Capitol Briefing” detailed Coleman’s living arrangement with Republican operative Jeff Larson, adding, “Coleman appears to have a good friend in Larson and a great place to live in D.C. Now he probably needs a good lawyer.” [Washington Post, "Capitol Briefing" 6/27/08]

Independent Watchdog Group CREW Filed A Complaint With Senate Ethics Committee Requesting Investigation Into Whether Coleman’s Rent Of FLS-Connect Apartment Violated Senate Ethics Rule. According to a July 1, 2008, press release, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics asking for an investigation into whether Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) violated the Senate gifts rule by accepting lodging from Republican operative Jeff Larson. CREW is asking the Senate Ethics Committee to look into whether or not Sen. Coleman is paying fair market value for the apartment, whether Sen. Coleman would have paid the November 2007 and January 2008 rent had National Journal not raised the non-payment as an issue, whether Sen. Coleman and Mr. Larson had agreed that Mr. Larson would not cash the March 2008 rent check, why Sen. Coleman suddenly made up his back rent after National Journal asked questions about it, and why Sen. Coleman’s office announced that Ms. Kainz would be leaving the senator’s employ after National Journal asked about her role.” [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics In Washington, 7/1/08]

• CREW Executive Director: “Senators Must Abide By The Ethics Rules At All Times, Not Just When They Get Caught Flouting Them.” In July 2008, CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloane said, “Few Americans have landlords who sometimes fail to cash their rent checks, ignore unpaid rent, or accept furniture in lieu of rent. That Sen. Coleman has just such a landlord, who also happens to financially benefit from his relationship with the senator creates exactly the sort of appearance of impropriety that undermines the public’s faith in government.” Sloan added, “Senators must abide by the ethics rules at all times, not just when they get caught flouting them.” [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics In Washington, 7/1/08]
• Under Senate Rules, Ethics Complaints Trigger A “Preliminary Inquiry” By The Ethics Committee. According to the Senate Ethics Manual, “Upon the receipt of allegations of misconduct, a preliminary inquiry is commenced of such duration, scope, and conduct as may be deemed appropriate, judgments which are normally made by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly. Such preliminary inquiry may include any inquiries, interviews, sworn statements, depositions, or subpeonas (sic) deemed appropriate to obtain the information to make any required determination.” [US Senate Ethics Committee, Senate Ethics Manual]

Common Cause Spokeswoman: Coleman Is Paying Below Market Value For D.C. English Basement. In August 2008, Mary Boyle, Vice President of independent watchdog group Common Cause, said, “This is a legitimate question to be asking in light of the fact that he is apparently renting from someone with an interest in his official actions as a senator. It would be one thing if he was paying above market value and they could argue that it is included in his rent. But he is paying below market for this apartment.” [Sam Stein, Huffington Post, 8/12/08; (emphasis added)]

Common Cause Spokeswoman: “At a Minimum” Not Paying Utilities “Would Be Violation Of the Congressional Gift Ban.” In August 2008, Mary Bolye of the good government group Common Cause told Sam Stein of Huffington Post, “At a minimum [not paying utilities] would be a violation of the congressional gift ban. Certainly under no way is it okay for a member of Congress to be taking free or subsidized rent or benefits from anyone, particularly from someone you are working with.” [Sam Stein, Huffington Post, 8/12/08 (emphasis added)]

Ranked the fourth most corrupt senator in Washington.
INDEPENDENT GOOD GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG GROUP GAVE COLEMAN A “DISHONORABLE MENTION” ON THEIR MOST CORRUPT LAWMAKERS LIST FOR SWEETHEART HOUSING DEAL

Coleman Received Dishonorable Mention On Citizens For Responsibility And Ethics In Washington’s (CREW) Twenty Most Corrupt Lawmakers List; Coleman One Of Only Four Senators To Make The List. In September 2008, Coleman received a dishonorable mention from CREW on its list of the most corrupt lawmakers in Washington, citing the ongoing investigation into Coleman’s questionable living arrangement with a Washington lobbyist. CREW wrote, “Over the past year, Sen. Coleman appears to have accepted lodging from Mr. Larson for at least three months without paying the agreed upon rent until caught by National Journal. Because lodging clearly falls within the Senate’s definition of “gift” Sen. Coleman appears to have violated the Senate gifts rule by accepting free lodging from Mr. Larson, someone who financially benefits from his relationship with the senator” Only three other senators were ranked on CREW’s list of the most corrupt Members of Congress. [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 9/10/08 (emphasis added)]

Coleman voted nearly ninety percent of the time with George Bush.
Coleman Has Voted With President Bush 86% Of The Time; 98% In His First Year Alone. During his first five years in the Senate, Norm Coleman supported President Bush an average of 86% of the time, including a whopping 98% of the time in 2003, his first year in the Senate. [CQ Vote Studies, 2003-2007]

Coleman: “Could Be With The President Most Of The Time.” In an April 2003 interview with Roll Call, Coleman criticized his predecessor, the late Senator Paul Wellstone. “Wellstone was never with the president,” Coleman said of the first two years of the Bush administration. “I could be with the president most of the time.” [Roll Call, 4/7/03]

Esme Murphy (WCCO-TV): “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 said, “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]
Together running up a ten trillion dollar national debt
THE BUSH/COLEMAN ECONOMIC PLAN HAS LEFT AMERICA WITH A MORE THAN $10 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT

The National Debt Has Increased By More Than $4 Trillion Since Coleman Took Office; Debt Is Now More Than $10.5 Trillion. On January 21, 2003, the day after Coleman took office, the national debt was $6,387,841,175,651.97. As of October 23, 2008, the national debt was $10,524,112,985,802.87. [US Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt]

• Coleman Has Voted To Increase The National Debt Limit 5 Times. Since coming to the Senate, Coleman voted five times to raise the federal debt limit. [Vote 54, 3/16/06; Vote 76, 3/17/05; Vote 57, 3/11/04; Vote 213, 11/17/04; Vote 202, 5/23/03]
• Coleman Has Voted Against Pay-As-You-Go Spending Rules Six Times. In May 2003, Coleman voted against an amendment that would extend Congressional “pay-as-you-go” (PAYGO) rules until 2008. In March 2004, Coleman voted against restoring PAYGO rules that would require and 60-vote majority to enact new tax cuts or new spending on entitlements without showing how to pay for them. Coleman voted against restoring PAYGO rules in March 2005, twice in November 2005, and a sixth time in March 2006. [Vote 200, 5/23/03; Vote 38, 3/10/04; Vote 53, 3/16/05; Vote 283, 11/3/05; Vote 340, 11/17/05; Vote 38, 3/14/06]

It’s time for Norm to go.

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