After Gutknecht’s Loss, Norm Coleman Flips on DM&E
11/30/2006
Posted by Jon-David
MN Publius
November 17, 2006
It seems that Tim Walz’s drubbing of Gil Gutknecht has not gone unnoticed by Sen. Norm Coleman. In January, Coleman went on the record lining up behind his pal, John Thune, and supporting the DM&E Project:
Coleman, R-Minn., said he preferred that the DM&E project not use federal money, but he supports the project. -Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) - January 7, 2006 - Rail expansion back on track
Interestingly enough, Norm’s support of Thune’s pet project convientiently coincided with Thune staking out the Chairmanship of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In late summer, with Republican hopes dwindling, Thune turned down a run at NRSC Chair:
I’m going to take a pass. It’s not the right fit for me, at least not right now.
With 21 Republican Senate seats up in 2008, and only 12 Democrat - who can blame him? 2008 will not be a fun year for the NRSC.
So - Thune is no longer going to head the most important national committee for vulnerable Senate Republicans seeking re-election. Who are they?: [The Fix]:
Republicans must defend 22 seats and have more obvious vulnerabilities. At first glance, just three GOP senators — Norm Coleman (Minn.), John Sununu (N.H.) and Wayne Allard (Colo.) — look vulnerable
And, surprise surprise, today Norm changed his tune on DM&E. [Star Tribune]:
“If there isn’t a plan, then I’ll do everything in my prerogatives as senator to stop this project, either through the appropriation process or the legislation process.”
His political gain from allying with Thune gone, Coleman shows - again - how his positions change with his personal political situation. When Norm had something to gain from Thune, he was on-board with DM&E and unconcerned about the local opposition from the Mayo Clinic. Now that the winds have shifted and he recognizes how vulnerable he is in Minnesota, Coleman’s position morphs into something more popular. Weak.
How can Minnesotans trust anything Coleman says when it’s so obvious he’ll do whatever is in his political interest at the moment?