Is Coleman In Danger Of a Challenger - Maybe
Posted by Andy on February 12th, 2008
There is a rumor around the internet about a possible challenge to Sen. Norm Coleman from the “right”. That “right” being from the conservative wing of the Republican party. I don’t think I will be letting any secrets out by saying that Sen. Coleman is a little less than heart warming for a conservative Republican like me of late.
I think it is safe to say that he has been a bit of a Mvaerick, just like Sen. McCain has when it comes to certain, not all, issues as a US Senator. And of late, Coleman is crossing the isle and voting with Democrats more than he used to.
Well, given that John McCain is the presumptive nominee, and the conservatives in the Republican party are tired of being taken for granted…. as in, “where else will they go and cast votes?”….. some are looking for some candidate they can get behind. I got a call from the DFL’s E-zine political gossip hound Sean Troll late yesterday morning about the rumor.
The Rumor
Former US Senator Rod Grams is a person many people are reaching out to. He’s had a growing number of people calling him about Sen. Coleman in the last week or so. I spoke with Grams very briefly this afternoon, and can report that he is not currently running against Norm Coleman.
Draft Grams?
There is a lot of discontent from conservative Republican activists statewide, but is there enough to man a Primary or endorsement challenge? Time will have to tell on that. If Grams getsenough calls of support, whoknows what he would do. He happens to be qualified for the job and has even happened to win the exact same race in Minnesota before, unlike the DFLers. Some would say he may be the most qualified and electable.
SitRep
We have 2 people most conservatives would be happy to work for in Kline and Bachmann, but their Districts cover only 1/4 of the population. We do need a tried and true conservative on the statewide ballot to help unify the party.
I am sorry, that is not John McCain. And should Huckabee pull of the miracle some of his supporters are praying for, it wouldn’t be him either.
Is Grams going to challenge Coleman? A more important question is, will Norm Coleman and his campaign continue to take conservatives for granted and leave room on his right flank for a challenger, like Grams, to run against him?
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February 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Why are you so hell bent on marginalizing any candidate you feel isn’t exactly the mold you envision? Rod Grams is not going to help the Republican party to become Conservative in Minnesota again. Actually he will hurt our chances to hold the seat against the DFL. Can’t you see that?
February 12th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I’m sorry, I can’t get that nifty little message Coleman and the entire MNGOP leadership team has cooked up to defeat the DFL./….. “You don’t want Al Franken as your Senator?”
OK, you’re right, I have set my principles aside again, and back on board the………..
Why is it that conservatism is being marginalized? That my anonymous cowardly commenter is a far more pertinent question.
Why is it that moderate Republicans loath being called not conservative, but yet at the same time their pollsters, strategists, and advisors all say conservatism is a 36% position in MN and not to worry about where the conservative voters will go.
What, are they actually going to stay home? (See 2006)
What, are they actually going to let a liberal win? (see 2006)
What, are your principles more important than getting one man elected/reelected? (see 2006)
Oh dang it, I forgot what I am supposed to say whenever an issue comes up……. I don’t want Al Franken, I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
You know, it just doesn’t do it for me anymore.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
So Coleman runs and is defeated by DFL candidate (Ceresi/Franken) because the conservatives voted their conscience and spent their vote on Grams. How can be benefit from that?
If Rod Grams is who the party has wanted and needed all along, then Rod should have been drafted and become a candiate long before now. My guess is that the majority of Minnesota Republicans would like to keep Coleman and the Senate seat just the way it is.
I will give you that Norm is not the most conservative candidate that is available, but he is the one who can and will win in November. That is if all of the Republicans support him and don’t bring in their favorite candidate to siphon off votes in what is going to be a tough race.
The votes is where you come in. If you are the conservative that you say you are, then if you want to hold the seat from the DFL then you have to support candidate Coleman and tell others who you influence to do the same.
It’s not a perfect world, but it could be much worse and that will be the case if the DFL get’s their way.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
We haven’t endorsed yet! I don’t think anyone is saying Grams would even consider a 3rd party run, and as of now, Norm hasn’t pissed me off that much, but one more vote for Cap and Trade, against oil…… there’s no telling.
Maybe, Norm could stand a little challenge for the GOP prize, after all some of the MNGOP’s best strategists told me Kennedy ran a liberal campaign, and had HE been seriously challenged for the nod, he would have been a stronger candidate. MNGOP powerbrokers……..
Why is Coleman any different?
Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
It is not a “conservative position…….
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
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I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
uggghhh, sorry.
It is not a “conservative” position to simply want to keep a liberal out of the seat. I want to keep their ideas out of that seat too, and unfortunately on a few really big and looming Domestic issues, Norm is no better than ……
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
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I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
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I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
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I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken. I don’t want Al Franken.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Somebody earlier had it right. If the Coleman campaign is worried about disaffected conservatives not voting for him, why doesn’t he try voting for US for a change? If he doesn’t like the bad things we say about him because of his votes, why doesn’t he change the way he votes?? If most of the people who call you tell you you’re wrong, why would you continue to insist you’re right? When you disagree with the vast majority of your own party, you MUST be wrong.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Why not Mark Kennedy then? He is a great choice too. Sure he got beat in 2006, but so did Grams.
I still am not understanding how splitting the Republican caucus can help the party or conservatives at this point.
Maybe I’m just not as “In” as you are.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:43 am
How would he “split the Republican caucus”???
We’re going to endorse someone, and if the “you don’t want Franken as your Senator” is really so damned effective, does it matter who we endorse?!??
If Grams decides to run for the endorsement, we endorse one or the other than rally behind the winner.
Here’s a hint : Think first, then type.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
http://anti-strib.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-love-my-country-more-than-i-hate-john.html