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Sen. Coleman Wasn't Paying Utility Bills In His Sweetheart Apartment Deal In Lobbyist's Capitol Hill Home
You might remember earlier this summer when we pointed out that Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) was getting an exceptionally good deal on an apartment in Capitol Hill.
And -- who would have guessed? -- it's in a townhouse owned by Coleman's political backer and longtime Republican operative Jeff Larson.
Today, Coleman concedes to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that he wasn't paying any utility bills and didn't even have a written lease until July, when reporters started asking about the arrangement.
Responding to media requests, 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.
Finding a place for $600 a month just a few blocks from the Capitol is difficult, to say the least. And the deal -- and questions about whether Coleman was essentially accepting undisclosed gifts -- are cropping up as an issue in Coleman's reelection bid against former comedian-turned-Senate-candidate Al Franken.
According to the Star-Tribune:
"The more we learn about this sweetheart rent deal, the more concerns it raises," said Franken spokesman Andy Barr. "Now that Coleman is finally answering questions about what he got, it's time for him to start answering questions about what Larson got in return."
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Josh
Zachary
This story is so wierd. Coleman is a political hack and so out of touch; but one has to wonder about his judgement and actions. He got a sweet ass deal and won't just admot it. What a sorry ass!
Utilities for 12 months come out to $44.40 a month. I know it is a small apt but under $50.00??
I guess he figures that the voters of MN will think he is fine now w/ no conflict of interest issues. Come on MN...get this bum out of Washington!
August 14, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
That utility payment is about enough to cover the cost of using a toaster.
August 14, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
dude... we're trying! He's a slippery slimy b@sturd.
August 14, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know a little bit of French (please don't rat me out to the neocons!) so I'm gonna try to guess just what kind of turd a b@sturd is. . . .
Is it a really low-down turd?
Please donate any winnings I might get to the Al Franken decade of your choice.
August 14, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure it was a simple case of genetic constipation and a fondness for public bathing.
August 14, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
About 15 years ago when I worked on Cap Hill I lived in a rundown, musty dive walk-up with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, located at 7th and G northeast, a decent location, which cost $500 a month plus utilities for both my roommate and me (total $1k). It was amongst the cheapest apartments anyone could have possibly found that was within a relatively small "safe zone" on Capitol Hill. So to call Norm's comfy pad a couple blocks from the Capitol a good deal at $600 is a major understatement.
August 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's up, HIS WIFE WROTE THE CHECK? Does Norman have issues handling money? If so, should we trust him in Washington managing the nations money? He and his wife can't even be in the same room to film an add about how normal Norman's life is, but she's writing, and mailing, she lives on the Left coast far far away from Norman, checks for the dude. Something isn't right with this guy.
August 14, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is literally no limit to Slimy Norman Quimby's sliminess. Known philanderer, possible spousal abuser (I have heard - from multiple sources - word of Laurie "Stepford" Coleman showing up at various local ER's with unexplained facial contusions...), on-the-take grifter, no matter the ethical area, set the bar as low as possible and he'll find a way to crawl under it.
As I noted in another thread, calling him an "empty suit" is an insult to clothing everywhere.
August 14, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, this is nit-picky, but I think you're missing a hyphen.
Franken is not a "former comedian-turned-Senate-candidate". In fact, he's *currently* a comedian-turned-Senate-candidate!
What you were going for was "former-comedian-turned-Senate-candidate".
Punctuation matters.
-- ARG
August 14, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
that quote from the franken campaign is spot on. shows the campaign doesn't take for granted (as too many campaigns/candidates do) that voters (or the media for that matter) will get the point. it's not just the quid or the quo. it's the quid AND the quo. and where there's quid there's quo.
August 14, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
By all rights, this should lose the race for Coleman. I mean, seriously Minnesota voters. At least half his rent was paid for by a lobbyist. What more proof do you need that he's a bum? Franken should do nothing else from now until the election but joke about Coleman living on the cheap at his lobbyist's house.
He's like the poor man's Tom DeLay, not even creative enough to come up with any big schemes, just your average, run-of-the-mill corruption.
Also, it doesn't matter what Coleman did for him. This lobbyist basically had a Senator on a retainer. It's every lobbyist's dream!
August 14, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Supersymmetry-theory adherents would also say that where there's a squid there's a squo.
August 14, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, these stories don't seem to get any traction in the media here. The Startribune tries, but everywhere else Normy get a free ride.
Here is a guy who doesn't even live with his wife. Of course he's messing around. Do we hear about this in the media? Nope.
His dad got caught with a hooker in a parking lot in St. Paul. No damage to Mr. Teflon.
This guy made the ultimate flip-flop, he switched parties. No big deal because it's Norm.
August 14, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
The blow-dried bellhop for the rich and famous seems to have a charmed life in Minnesota politics. He has made a career of quid-pro-quo. After all, he switched from the DFL to the GOP. He found that he fit in better with the Abramhoffs, Delays and Pawlentys.
Why did his wife write the check. When his wife writes the check, Norm can deny having written the check. That is the GOP way.
August 14, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Colman's slicker than a wet weasel on a linoleum floor...
You just know he's stepping out on his wife, that utilities check wouldn't cover a night out on the town for good old Norm and one of his conquests.
I just hope the good folks of Minnesota come to their sense's and kick norm to the curb.
August 14, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
squid prod squo (for slimmy + sleazy + corrupt)
August 14, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah. well.
I moved to StPaul when NORM Coleman was mayor. He's slime for other reasons, (Cheney) but I find this story line a fizzler. a dud. Nunya. Not dirty, ... there are better ways to de-elect Norman than this petty shit.
August 14, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a room somewhere in that big house that measures 9 X 9' and Norm says that his rental unit? And he pays $600 a mo for it, plus utilities?
If his host is so mad about him, wouldn't he give him a better pad? The sniff test has worn out on this one. Nothing about it makes sense.
Irony abounds, a comedian is running for the Senate
seat of a laughing stock!
Go Al.
August 16, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
At Hofstra University, Norm Coleman was head of the "radical" anti-war group SDS, leading protests, sit-ins and generally rabble rousing (an eye-witness here...). So...guess the Mccain campaign has people who pal around with radicals. Another IOKIYAR?
October 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jeff Larson - robo caller, clothes shopper, sweetheart deal-maker.
I'm trying to put this together... Does it relate to foot-tapping? There is a MN connection. A Palin shopping in MN connection. A MN Senator connection. And "connections" are necessary for robo calling. Also for foot tapping....
How's that?
October 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink