Dave Durenberger

Has Dave Durenberger gone politically tone-deaf? The former Republican senator-turned-health-care blogger started off his scoop about another new gig for Norm Coleman with two scandal-tinged words that Coleman thought he’d put behind him: “Texas money.”

Norm Coleman conceded the U.S. Senate contest last week, but immediately prompted speculation that he’ll run for governor in 2010. Does the Republican have the political clout — and the personal finances — to be a viable candidate?

From calling on members of her district to be “armed and dangerous” over cap-and-trade spending to stirring up fears of liberal “re-education camps” that would indoctrinate young people, Rep. Michele Bachmann’s recent statements have drawn the ire of Democrats and energized Republican activists. But at least one Republican analyst thinks she might be taking the [...]

Norm Coleman is not going down without a fight. But by continuing to drag out the contest, his political prospects could suffer “serious damage,” according to one-time rival Dean Barkley. Meanwhile, former Sen. Dave Durenberger, a Republican and Coleman supporter, believes that the most serious damage to Coleman’s political future has already occurred.

In an item titled “Trouble’s Home Address,” The New York Times reviews notable (and alleged) scandals involving public figures and their homes. Except for former Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, all are from New York, the latest being Adolfo Carrion Jr., a former Bronx Borough president who landed the top job at the new White [...]