Minnesota Independent » National Republican Senatorial Committee

The conservative case for why Coleman should drop out

Paul Demko — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:56:34 +0000

Republicans are generally egging Norm Coleman on in his legal contest of the U.S. Senate results. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn and other party leaders have made it clear that they’d be perfectly happy if the proceedings drag on for years since it keeps the Democrats stuck at 58 senate seats. But not all conservative pundits share the party’s enthusiasm for a protracted legal process. Over at The Corner, Ramesh Ponnuru makes the case that by continuing to drag the process through the courts Coleman is hurting the state, his own political future and the Minnesota GOP. Ponnuru’s take:

If he keeps up the fight, he is likely to lose, unnecessarily deprive Minnesota of a second senator, end his political career seen as a sore loser, and hurt his party in a state that is eager for this fight to be over. His team has talked enough about further legal challenges that if he leaves now, he will get some points for grace. (Needless to say, that sentiment would not be universal.) But this is, I think, the last moment where he can exit with some dignity.

Recount quote roundup: All nits have been picked, says chief justice and canvass board member

Chris Steller — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:31:09 +0000

Magnuson, Schumer, Cornyn

Here are three quotes from the last 24 hours on the Minnesota recount between Al Franken and former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman:

“Everything’s been looked at and looked at carefully,” is how Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and State Canvassing Board Member Eric Magnuson sees it, according to a news report this morning. “If there were any nits to be picked, they’ve been picked.”

“It is now clear that Al Franken won the election. The Canvassing Board will meet tomorrow to wrap up its work and certify him the winner,” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, former chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement Sunday. “With the Senate set to begin meeting on Tuesday to address the important issues facing the nation, it is crucial that Minnesota’s seat not remain empty.”

“Senator Schumer will likely play a key role in determining who ultimately assumes this Senate seat,” responded U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “Pre-judging the outcome while litigation is still pending calls into question his ability to impartially preside over this matter when it comes before the Committee, as it most certainly will.”

Cornyn elaborated on his position and the likelihood of a filibuster over seating Franken this morning on CNN’s “American Morning.” Excerpts after the jump. Here are excerpts from Cornyn’s Monday appearance on CNN’s “American Morning” program:

CNN: So you’re saying that the legal avenues for Norm Coleman have not been exhausted. You don’t want Al — Al Franken to be seated, or anyone to be seated, until all the legal challenges in Minnesota are up?

CORNYN: That’s correct. And the — and the the rules to the Senate — Rule Two of the rules of the Senate require an election certificate. In Minnesota, that has to be signed by both the secretary of state and the governor, and it can’t be issued before seven days have expired after the canvassing board’s decision. So we’re getting closer to a resolution but we’re not there yet. …

CNN: Are you guys going to filibuster?

CORNYN: Well, in filibuster, of course, in the Senate means unless you can get 60 votes to proceed, then — then you don’t. We continue debating it. And I think that is the likelihood here if the Democrats try to ignore the Senate Rule Two and Minnesota law and try to short-circuit this process.

Coleman not up to task as would-be RNC head of tying Obama to Blago

Chris Steller — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:22:02 +0000

If anyone took it seriously when an unnamed U.S. senator floated the name of his senate colleague Norm Coleman as a prospective chair of the Republican National Committee in The Washington Times three weeks ago, they likely aren’t anymore. And not because of the ongoing recount in the election for his Senate seat, which was seen as hampering his bid to head the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This time the reason would be his inability to perform certain tasks that are apparently essential for would-be RNC chairmen — tasks like linking President-elect Barack Obama to foul-mouthed accused felon Gov. Rod Blagojevich, as Politico reports today candidates for the RNC job are falling over themselves to do. It wouldn’t do to have Coleman performing as a point man in that effort — not at a moment when allegations of strikingly similar money-funneling schemes have Blagojevich under arrest and Coleman benefactor Nasser Kazeminy under FBI investigation.

Casualty of Senate recount: Coleman’s GOP leadership plans

Paul Demko — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:36:33 +0000

Norm Coleman’s desire to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee is being imperiled by the lengthy recount process that will get underway next week, reports The Hill. Senate Republicans are slated to vote on key leadership posts on Nov. 18, even though contests in Minnesota and Georgia will not yet have been decided.

According to several aides and senators, Coleman has signaled his interest in taking over as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which will spearhead the GOP’s Senate election effort in 2010. Coleman, who lost his NRSC chairmanship bid narrowly in 2004 to Sen. Elizabeth Dole (N.C.), would face off next week against Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) in the one contested Senate GOP leadership race.

With his race in flux, Coleman may ultimately bow out of the race, but his office has not yet made the senator’s intentions clear.

Leroy Coleman, a spokesman, said the senator has been approached to run for the NRSC chairmanship by a number of his colleagues.

“But right now he’s strictly focused on the recount effort,” the spokesman said, declining further comment.

Coleman’s colleagues are understandably hesitant to consider him for the post given that his electoral fate remains in limbo.

Complicating the Minnesotan’s bid is the perception that the Senate GOP would be dealt an embarrassing blow if it elects Coleman as the next NRSC chairman next week but he ultimately loses his reelection bid to Franken.

“Would that make Franken the chairman of the NRSC?” another GOP aide quipped.