A demand for fiscal responsibility

Rach's note: With Former US Senator Norm Coleman's permission, I can publish the article he wrote to Politico.


By NORM COLEMAN, Politico


America is awash in debt. We topped $13 trillion and rising last week.


Congress knows this. President Barack Obama knows this. The governors and legislatures of every state know this.


Few of these politicians seem to want to do anything about it. In fact, by most accounts, the president and his allies are willing to expand the size, the scope and the cost of government for current and future generations.

But the American people can do something about it — the Constitution gives them that right. Now is the time for Americans to mandate fiscal responsibility by a grass-roots movement for a balanced budget amendment.


It’s time the American people reclaimed their future, and their children’s future, and forced Congress and politicians to do what they can’t — or won’t — do: Balance the nation’s budget, and then balance it every single year afterward — as the vast majority of the states must do under their own constitutions.


Obama’s budget is a road map to decline, showing deficits of more than $700 billion every year for a decade. Under his plan, the national debt is due to more than triple, from $5.8 trillion in 2008 to more than $20 trillion in 2020 — with more than $1 trillion in interest payments. That’s $60,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States.


This doesn’t even take into account the spiraling increased liabilities of Social Security and Medicare as baby boomers come of age.


The United States is not Greece — yet. But we are on a path to a future of higher interest rates, a diminished dollar, stagnant wages and dashed dreams.


Much of the avalanche of U.S. debt will be controlled by China and other countries, whose main mission seems to be to undermine American values around the globe.


This is a troubling future for a great country, the strongest economy on the planet and a beacon of freedom for centuries.


Under Article 5 of the Constitution, there are two ways to propose amendments. First is a vote by two-thirds of each house of Congress. We know that is not likely. Second is a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments, an “Article V convention.”


It’s simple. Thirty-four states would need to petition Congress for a convention. Then, 38 states would need to ratify anything that came out of this Constitutional Convention.


Imagine this scenario that could help restore America’s economic well-being:

Governors of each state call a special session of their legislatures to petition Congress for a Constitutional Convention. This places every member of every state’s Legislature on the record as being for or against a Constitutional Convention to decide whether a balanced budget should be required for the U.S. government. Once the Constitutional Convention is held, if a balanced budget amendment is agreed on, the process would start again with each governor calling for a special session of the Legislature to vote yes — or no — on that amendment.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37718.html#ixzz0oy12q5dN

If Coleman goes for governor, he'll cast a long shadow

Norm Coleman is seen by gubernatorial contenders as someone with big pluses and minuses.

By MIKE KASZUBA, Star Tribune

The biggest mystery, now that Democrat Al Franken is heading to the U.S. Senate, is how soon Republican Norm Coleman will let Minnesotans know whether he wants to be their governor.

Even as a victory rally Wednesday was ending for Franken on the State Capitol steps, state Republican Party leaders held a news briefing a block away to outline plans for the 2010 gubernatorial race -- and invited Coleman, and anyone else, to join in. "I talked to Senator Coleman briefly," said Tony Sutton, the new Republican Party state chair. "It's my understanding that nothing's been ruled in or ruled out."

Coleman's possible entry into a race that's still 16 months away was greeted with both wariness and inevitability by potential rivals. "He'd obviously be the leader right away on the Republican side," said Matt Entenza, former House Minority leader and a declared DFL gubernatorial candidate. "I think he would win a [Republican] primary going away. ... I think it'd be his race to lose."

One day after he conceded the U.S. Senate race -- and left a crack open on a possible gubernatorial run -- Coleman is seen as a candidate with big pluses and minuses.

His likely gubernatorial competitors say his name recognition and proven fundraising ability make him formidable. His legal fight against Franken won admirers across the state Republican Party's base, which will play a large role in choosing a gubernatorial nominee.

Coleman could simply say he was going after a job he lost in 1998 to Jesse Ventura.

But Coleman would face potential roadblocks. The FBI is still investigating his relationship with Nasser Kazeminy, a major political donor accused in lawsuits of funneling payments to Coleman through a business where Coleman's wife worked.

Coleman, who turns 60 next month, may also need to freshen up his pitch as the man who reinvented himself from 1960s activist to George Bush Republican.

What do the people think?

As he announced his own gubernatorial ambitions Wednesday, state Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, said a Coleman candidacy would present Republicans in Minnesota with a tough choice.

"You don't know what the people think about Norm after the extensive [recount] things," Jungbauer said. "Will they support him in terms of real support, a sympathy support or are people just angry at that whole thing?"

A two-term senator who said he admires Coleman, Jungbauer predicted "he's not going to get the buy-in from the new, younger Republicans. They're more aggressively Libertarian. ... He would do great if he got through the endorsement process. I think his hardest battle will be the endorsement process."

Former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, who said he would formally announce his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday, said he is aware Coleman is already casting a long shadow over the governor's race.

But Seifert said his own political website, even at this early stage of the race, had a record day Tuesday, securing at least $5,000 in political contributions. "We thought that was a good, one-day haul," Seifert said. "If they really believe in Norm, [the money] will start showing up on his side."

Seifert said that while Coleman can tap a national base of influential donors, he has his own growing list of heavy-hitter supporters.

"Our large donors are coming in nicely," Seifert said. "I have Bill Cooper on board." Cooper is chief executive officer of TCF Financial and a former state Republican Party chairman. "I don't know that he necessarily has a leg up on things," Seifert said of Coleman. "I would love to be on stage with Norm Coleman in a debate about 21st-century solutions to things."

House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, a likely DFL gubernatorial candidate, said Coleman's entrance into the race would not have a big impact on DFLers gauging a run for governor -- for now. "I don't think it changes anything," Kelliher said Wednesday as she waited for Franken to appear at the State Capitol rally.

The timing is revealing

But Kelliher said that she was struck by Coleman's statements Tuesday, that he might have an announcement on his political future as early as next week. "I think the timing of what he said about next week makes me kind of think he might be" running for governor, she said.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, another possible DFL candidate, dismissed Coleman's name recognition as a factor in the race for governor. "Just remember now, I'm the only Coleman in elected office," he said, laughing. The two are not related.

Sutton made clear Wednesday that he would not "pick the candidate" for the Republicans, but conceded that he had ties and friendships that others will watch closely. Sutton is business partners with Cooper in a chain of Mexican restaurants and is close to Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, an announced gubernatorial candidate, and state Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Steve Sviggum, a possible candidate.

"You can make a case that I know all these people," Sutton said. "So, don't read anything into it.

Mike Kaszuba • 651-222-1673

GOP activist seeks rejected absentee Senate ballots

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

June 9, 2009

GOP activist and blogger Michael Brodkorb has asked for copies of rejected absentee ballots from areas where for the most part Republican Norm Coleman ran strongly in the disputed November election for U.S. Senate.

Brodkorb filed a Minnesota Data Practices request with Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Sherburne and Washington counties, and in the cities of Edina, Minnetonka, Orono and Plymouth.

Statewide, local election officials rejected about 12,000 absentee ballots on Election Day for failing to meet legal requirements. Nearly 1,300 were eventually deemed legal after reconsideration by the officials, representatives of Coleman and fellow Senate candidate Al Franken, and judges who heard the U.S. Senate trial. But the rest remain excluded because the judges said they lacked evidence they were cast by registered voters or met other state law requirements.

Brodkorb said he wants to post copies of ballots from the selected areas on his website. It's part of an effort by Republicans to draw attention to rejected ballots they continue to argue should be reconsidered.

State law classifies sealed absentee ballots as nonpublic prior to their opening by an election judge. In cases where rejected ballot envelopes are unopened, Brodkorb wants election judges to open them to copy the ballots.

PAT DOYLE

Minn. court orders Coleman to pay $95,000 to Franken

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Associated Press
June 10, 2009


Republican Norm Coleman owes Democrat Al Franken $94,783 stemming from his Minnesota Senate election lawsuit, with the amount subject to interest.

A Ramsey County court administrator officially entered the judgment on Wednesday. It's a holdover from the two-month trial that ended with Franken up by 312 votes.

Minnesota law required Coleman to cover some of Franken's court costs because he didn't change the outcome of the race. The judgment excludes Franken's attorney fees.

Franken's lawyers had pressed for as much as $161,500.
The one-page declaration says interest will accrue from the day the judgment was entered until it's paid off.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is still considering Coleman's appeal and hasn't said when it will rule. The court held oral arguments in the case on June 1.

If you are asking me about Norm Coleman

People have been asking me if Former St. Paul Mayor and US Senator Norm Coleman is going to run for Governor. The answer is NO.

Norm informed me that he rather to focus on Supreme Court regarding US Senate election and recovering from knee surgery that he had last month.

Now you know what answer to question that people been asking.

Minnesota's Senate race now comes down to 5 votes

By PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune
Last update: May 30, 2009


Now it comes down to five votes.

Almost seven months after a U.S. Senate election that was too close to call, five justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday on whether problems with absentee ballots justify reversing a lower-court ruling that declared DFLer Al Franken a 312-vote winner over Republican Norm Coleman.

Partisans across America will be watching, pronouncing judgment on a thousand blogs. The case may cast a blinding national spotlight on the state Supreme Court.

A decision upholding the lower-court ruling could end the protracted struggle and allow Franken to join the Senate, giving Democrats an invincible majority. A ruling for Coleman wouldn't return him to the Senate, but could keep his hopes alive and delay a final decision for months.

Minnesotans want the dispute to end, recent polls show. Most people say Coleman should concede. Nearly two-thirds believe that Franken ultimately will be declared the winner.

But several former Minnesota Supreme Court justices say current members will consider the case carefully, ignoring outside publicity and pressure.

"The impatience of the people just has to be put aside," said former Associate Justice Jim Gilbert, who served on the court for seven years with most of the justices hearing the case. "You want a correct decision at this stage, not a fast decision.

"They will not be reacting to talking heads or political action groups ... or anything like that," Gilbert said. "This decision has to stand the test of time. It will be gone over with a microscope."

Former Chief Justice Russell Anderson agrees.

"They understand every decision they make has the potential to go to the United States Supreme Court," Anderson said. "They're not going to decide this on the publicity. They're going to decide this on the law."

One former Minnesota justice knows what it's like to issue an opinion in a politically overheated election case.

Five days before the 1990 gubernatorial election, then-Associate Justice A.M. (Sandy) Keith, once one of the state's most prominent DFL politicians, agreed with others on the court on a key issue: that Arne Carlson should take the place of Jon Grunseth on the ballot after Grunseth withdrew as the Republican candidate for governor. The ruling paved the way for Carlson to defeat Gov. Rudy Perpich, a DFLer who had just elevated Keith to take over as chief justice.

"I still carry that with me," said Keith. "The governor [Perpich] thought I was responsible for it. He tried to take the position away from me -- thought about it. He wouldn't even come to my swearing-in.

"I think it was the right decision, and I never had any hesitation about that," Keith said.

While Monday's hearing will produce yet another dramatic climax in this seven-month saga, some believe it will be mostly anti-climactic for the justices, who weeks ago received detailed briefs from the lawyers in the case.

"These justices will have had over two weeks, including three weekends ... to work on the case," said Richard Hasen, an elections expert at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who has followed the case closely.

"It would not be surprising to me that they would come into the arguments with their minds mostly made up, [and] also with drafted opinion or opinions in front of them."

Keith said arguments delivered in court rarely swayed him in the end.
"In many instances, I had made up my mind in the sense I thought it was going in this direction," he said.

The court and the challenge

The court will have two fewer members hearing the case than its usual seven because Chief Justice Eric Magnuson and Associate Justice G. Barry Anderson sat on the state Canvassing Board for the recount and have declined to participate in related court proceedings.

Minnesota Supreme Court expert Peter Knapp, a William Mitchell law professor, has watched the remaining five in action. His thoughts:

• Alan Page: "Well aware of the importance common sense plays in the life of the law. You'll see opinions of his that remind the court, sometimes gently and sometimes not so gently ... that when a decision doesn't reflect that kind of common sense it may be out of kilter with where the law should go."

• Paul Anderson: "Really appreciates the value of history in shaping the law ... to a greater degree than some of the other justices."

• Lorie Gildea: Dissented when she "believed the court was making a decision that really belonged to the trial judge."

• Helen Meyer: "Writes opinions that I think reflect her experience and her values."

• Christopher Dietzen: A recent appointee with fewer written opinions, "It's much harder to tell ... anything about his particular cast of mind."

The five have ruled unanimously on earlier matters in the case, but split on the issue of allowing Coleman and Franken to veto the counting of some disputed absentee ballots. Paul Anderson and Page dissented.

On Monday, each side will have 25 minutes for arguments, with Coleman allowed an additional 10 minutes for rebuttal. He has the burden of proving that the three-judge panel that heard the trial made sufficient mistakes to overturn their verdict.

His legal team turns to Joe Friedberg to make their case, a veteran, high-profile criminal defense attorney but relative novice at election law. "Norm decided ... Joe is the best guy to make the argument," said Coleman legal spokesman Ben Ginsberg.

Franken will rely on Marc Elias, a national Democratic Party lawyer who specializes in election law.

Court experts will watch to see whether the justices direct more skeptical questions to either Coleman's or Franken's team. But such questioning could merely reflect a devil's advocate approach, in which judges interrogate the very side they are leaning toward.

Wide discretion

A Supreme Court decision could take days to months, with the prime options being upholding the lower court ruling for Franken or reversing it and ordering the panel to reconsider aspects of the case.

The court "cannot say that Coleman won," said University of Minnesota constitutional law expert Fred Morrison. "A Coleman 'victory' in the Supreme Court would mean several more weeks or months of more recounting-type stuff."

Aside from attacking the merits of Coleman's case, Franken argues that the Republican's key claims should be dismissed because he didn't bring them early enough in the trial.

"I think the justices will at least consider whether or not the public interest and timing is a relevant factor" before examining Coleman's claims, said Edward Foley, an election law expert at Ohio State University.

But Knapp said the high court has wide discretion to ignore procedural arguments and consider the main question: Were the election and recount fair and accurate enough to bring this dispute to an end?

Pat Doyle • 651-222-1210

Capitol Hill restaurant has testament to Franken's pre-election confidence

Pioneer Press 5/26/09

By Anne Schroeder Mullins Politico
Updated: 05/26/2009 08:49:50 AM CDT

It's not quite a John Hancock moment, but Senate candidate Al Franken left his mark on one of Washington's elite power restaurants.

Trattoria Alberto of Capitol Hill is a quaint Italian restaurant on 8th Street Southeast, blocks from Capitol Hill, that is frequented by myriad representatives and senators.

So many happen upon the fine establishment — it's a favorite of lobbyists, as well — that a few years ago the restaurant started asking lawmakers who dined there to autograph the restaurant's own copy of a facebook. (It speaks volumes about the restaurant that it even has a facebook. A facebook, to those uninitiated, is a yearly booklet that has pictures of and information about all the current members of Congress.) Representatives like John Sullivan, Jerry Lewis, Corrine Brown, Vern Buchanan, John Boccieri and Dennis Kucinich and Sen. George Voinovich have all come, eaten and happily signed. One person familiar with all these signings was overheard saying, "I don't know if they like it, but they sign it."

Another person who has signed the facebook without his face even being in it? Al Franken, who's still in an ongoing battle with Norm Coleman for one of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats. Franken came to the restaurant a few months before the election, we're told, and signed away — only he signed on top of Coleman's signature.

In the book, he drew a big box with an "X" inside it, signed his name and then, over to the right, put the election percentages, with the header: "CNN DECLARES FRANKEN."

After Franken's name, there's a "53%" and after Coleman's name there's a "47%."

So he's off, by a little.

Franken, always the jokester, was confident even then.

As for those in Franken's camp, they didn't comment.

Coleman spokesman Tom Erickson told Shenanigans in response to Franken's antics: "Proof positive that leopards never change their spots."

FBI probe of relationship between Coleman and major donor continues

By TONY KENNEDY, Star Tribune
Last update: May 14, 2009 - 7:56 PM

The FBI continues to investigate the relationship between former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and a close friend who has been a major political donor, according to a source who was questioned by the FBI.

The source, who asked not to be identified, said the interview with two FBI agents took place within the past two weeks. They asked questions about an allegation that Bloomington financier Nasser Kazeminy paid for suits and other items for Coleman and his wife, Laurie, at Nieman Marcus in Minneapolis.

"They said they've been talking to a lot of people,'' the source said Thursday.

Depending on if and when the alleged purchases occurred, the arrangement could violate Senate rules regulating gifts to members. Kazeminy is a wealthy businessman whose friendship with Coleman dates to when Coleman was mayor of St. Paul. Kazeminy has been a major contributor to Coleman's campaigns and to the Republican Party.

In the two weeks before the November U.S. Senate election, two lawsuits were filed, accusing Kazeminy of funneling payments from a Texas company he controls to a Minneapolis insurance firm where Laurie Coleman was employed to benefit the Colemans.

Spokesmen for Kazeminy and Coleman have vehemently denied the allegations.

Coleman's spokesman, Tom Erickson, was asked Thursday whether the FBI has questioned Norm or Laurie Coleman. The spokesman gave the following written response: "The Senator called for an investigation by the appropriate authorities, and has promised to cooperate fully with them. To that end, any further comment is not necessary.''

The Huffington Post reported that the possibility exists that the sole target of the FBI's work is Kazeminy and not Coleman. In the civil suits connected to Kazeminy's Texas company, Deep Marine Technology, Kazeminy is alleged to have steered company money to benefit Coleman and others outside the company. As part of those suits, former Deep Marine CEO Paul McKim alleged that he was forced to overlook $75,000 in payments to Minneapolis-based Hays Companies, the employer of Coleman's wife. Hays has denied any wrongdoing.

Tony Kennedy• 612-673-4213

C' mon, T-Paw make up your mind!

Governor Tim Pawlenty need to make his mind up on what he want to do with US Senate election. Minnesota Citizens like myself deserve two US Senators. other 49 states that have 2 senators which isn't fair. I don't care if it's Franken or Coleman. I feel that Senator Amy Klobuchar is overwhelmed and stressed out with huge pile of casework and constituent workload.

Since he is one who sign election certificate along Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, he just need go ahead and sign it so we could have 2nd US Senator. We need fair representation. I am very frustrated just like Minnesota citizens. We are not Florida. Mark Ritchie isn't Katherine Harris, he is doing good job and he have been very careful with the process.

Norm and Tim, If you are reading this: I know we don't discuss politics but we all need to get over this and join other 49 states that have two US Senators so the US Senate could have full quorum in case if there need to be tie-breaker. No hard feelings but we need to get what Minnesota Citizens deserves: two US Senators. You need to allow Amy Klobuchar take a break since as I mention she have huge pile of caseloads that one Senator really can't get all done at once.

FRANKEN WON AND COLEMAN LOSES.

According to court today, Al Franken has won after grueling 7 weeks in court. Judges have announced that Franken is the winner. As for Norm Coleman, he decided to appeal at the Minnesota Supreme Court.

For months I have been not involved with US Senate race drama because I just don't want to be involved.

KARE 11 on court's decision.

Since the election certificate isn't signed, Franken can't be Senator unless Coleman drop his appeal.

Coleman has other gig but is with Republican Jewish Coalition

Former US Senator Norm Coleman have taken job with Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) as a consultant and strategic adviser. He won’t be doing any lobbying and his jobs are: will advise RJC on policy, help with recruiting and deliver speeches around the country.

While he is working for RJC, he will still fight to keep his US Senate seat in the court.

Coleman's office to remain open until Feburary 4, 2009.

Good News for Norm Coleman fanatics...

His offices in St. Paul and Washington DC will remain open until February 9, 2009. The US Senate and court ordered the office to remain open so staff can archive and transfer constituent case files.

Coleman want his office to open for 60 more days to finish up about 400 constituent requests instead of referring them to other US Senator Amy Klobuchar or other Minnesota Representatives.

Coleman's offices was closed on January 5 after State Canvassing Board declared Al Franken a winner but Coleman chose to file lawsuit. The Senate Election is tied up in court's hands as right now.

Many of cases are being handed to Senator Klobuchar's office.

Franken Camp requested certificate to take seat

Al Franken's campaign requested Governor Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to grant him certificate so he could be in United States Senate. Right now Minnesota have only one Senator, Amy Klobchar just for now until the court settle down on lawsuit that was bought by Former US Senator Norm Coleman.

Attorneys for Franken said that 7 days waiting period has passed and Franken was supposed to get signed certificate so he could go to Washington DC. The State law says that a candidate have seven day waiting period after final counting.

Gov. Pawlenty rather not to issue Franken the certificate until Coleman's lawsuit action are done and then they will see what will happen. A trial on lawsuit shall be taken up within three weeks after a person filed a lawsuit according to state law. As for Coleman's case, He will have three judges hearing his case and they haven't selected judges yet.