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Dept. Of Education Photo-Op Shuns Dems
In his re-election battle with Al Franken, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) can use all the help he can get. And Democrats are saying that it looks like the White House is working behind the scenes to do what they can.
Remember that one of the key revelations last summer of Karl Rove's machinations in the White House Office of Political Affairs was his use of cabinet members to create free publicity for endangered Republicans. Agency heads or officials who traveled only a handful of times on off years suddenly found themselves whipped into service in an election year. Republicans facing tough challenges could count on a constant stream of photo-ops with administration officials announcing good things for his or her constituents. Rove called the operation his "asset deployment" team.
It looks like the White House may still be at it. From The Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings was in Minnesota on Tuesday to announce a proposed pilot project for the federal No Child Left Behind law that would give 10 states more flexibility in addressing struggling schools' specific needs....However, Minnesota doesn't yet have enough of those schools to participate in the pilot project, prompting some to question why Spellings made the announcement here and whether it was an effort to help Sen. Norm Coleman in his reelection campaign.
Spellings appeared at the state Department of Revenue and the State Capitol alongside Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Coleman.
"It certainly smells that no Democrats were invited to this event, when we already know that this administration has politicized Cabinet agencies," said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "It looks like a stunt to help Norm Coleman's campaign."
So -- Spellings announced a pilot program in Minnesota that won't even be taking place in Minnesota and none of Minnesota's Democratic lawmakers were invited to the event. The Department of Ed explained to the Star-Tribune that Coleman was invited "because he's sponsoring legislation related to No Child Left Behind." And I guess Pawlenty was there just to be there.
Spellings is currently on a 17-state tour. It'll be interesting to see if any Democrats make it to the dais.
Josh
Zachary
Yawn. I've concluded that you can bring a moderate Republican or Independent to the watering hole, but you cannot force them to drink. If endless war, deficiets, domestic spying, etc. can all be erased in their minds by some random stump speech by some Republican pol, then America is truly screwed.
I say connect Coleman to as much of the Bush Admin team as possible. Keep the Dems clear of such garbage.
March 19, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not really sure what the big deal here is. Given that the Democrats strategy in Minnesota and elsewhere will be to tie incumbent GOP Congressmen/women to a very unpopular Bush administration, it is difficult to see how much this really helps Coleman.
March 19, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
And why would Dems want any pictures showing them with this gang o' pirates come election time in November? It's not like they have any credibility with voters.
March 19, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that Al Franken and the cast of Saturday Nite Live over the years would make a great president and cabinet in 2012.
Franken/Murray 2012
March 19, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. Voting with the President 95% of the time instead of 98% does not make one a moderate. Norm is a wimpy butt-boy not a moderate.
2. While it is strange that after ALL hand-jobs Notso Nimble Norman has given Shrub43 that Bush would finally acknowledge Coleman's exist . . . The use of government assets to support partasian ventures is a violation of the Hatch Acts and this is a big deal and a scandal. An investigation needs to be done in the House and Senate and the DoJ.
March 20, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Inquiry: Why is this potential violation of the Hatch Acts not up at Election Central also? It would provide a much needed respite from the on-going 'Which Republican is going to get the DEM nomination' debate AND actually be election oriented news?
Iquiring minds wanta know . . .
March 20, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lurita Doan sure paid the price for violating the Hatch Act, didn't she?
March 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I live in Arizona and send a small monthly contribution to Al Franken's campaign. I want to see a worthy successor in Paul Wellstone's senate seat. Coleman is unworthy to hold that seat. Franken is smart and honest. A professor once told me that a sense of humor indicates a sense of values. Well, there you are!
March 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink