While Al Franken remains fairly elusive, Norm Coleman is keeping a high profile these days as his court challenge of the Minnesota U.S. Senate recount plods along.

Coleman is adept, somewhat too adept, his critics might say, at skillfully tailoring his message to his audience, and that skill set was on full display Friday.

On Friday, Coleman made the media rounds with radio interviews that included conservative nationally syndicated radio talk show host Mike Gallagher. Gallagher, an unyielding fiscal and religious conservative, who hosts one of the Top 10 rated talk shows in the country, has been an outspoken critic of the Congressional stimulus legislation. When Gallagher asked Coleman what he thought of the stimulus bill, Coleman replied that he would not sign on to it. Coleman did not, however, offer any thoughts as to whether a stimulus bill of some kind would be a good thing for the country and the state of Minnesota (no doubt because Gallagher, and perhaps a large share of his 4 million weekly listeners, is opposed to any sort of government ‘bailout’ – of industries or state governments).

When asked about the recount and how it is affecting him personally, Coleman said he starts every day with a prayer and that he knows “God wants me to serve.” Coleman did later temper those rather immodest remarks by adding that he is not indispensable and that others can serve as well. Coleman closed the interview with an appeal to Gallagher’s listeners for contributions to his campaign website.

Also on Friday, Coleman talked to Tom Crann at Minnesota Public Radio, and tweaked his message for a listening audience that is decidedly more liberal than that of Gallagher’s. First, Coleman discussed his desire to serve without mention of God’s will. With more humble prose he stated, “I’ve been blessed to serve. I want to continue to serve.”

With regards to the bailout, Coleman reiterated his opposition to the current legislation: “I do not support the package in its present form.” But when asked if he could vote for a stimulus package, Coleman admitted, “I agree there needs to be one.”

Coleman also stated to MPR that the court in his recount challenge was being “very fair” and it that he has a “great deal of confidence” in the panel. He also acknowledged that if the absentee ballot and double-counting of ballots issues are addressed, and Franken has more votes at the end of the process, then Franken will be the Senator. On Gallagher’s show, however, Coleman made no mention of the possibility that Franken could emerge as the ultimate victor and did not contradict Gallagher’s characterization that the election process to date in Minnesota has been a ‘joke.’

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133 Comments

  1. Dale on February 9, 2009 at 9:43 am

    I think Coleman means serve a prison term.

  2. sue on February 9, 2009 at 9:48 am

    I find it just incredible that the Republican party-via the republican jewish coalition-can prevent the seating of a US Senator for critical months with these shananigans. Shame on the courts for allowing it to drag on!Shame on Coleman for his egocentric performance as a gop pawn!Shame on Minnesotans for not speaking up more loudly for a quick resolution.

  3. God on February 9, 2009 at 9:48 am

    Coleman, you say God is on your side but are you on his?

    If you were on his side you would have won in a landslide.

    Joke is on you norm.

    God

  4. mdn on February 9, 2009 at 9:51 am

    God wants us all to serve, though not necessarily tailored to our own wishes. This mirrors the arrogance of George W., as well as those who believe God is a Republican. A true servant of God is humble and accepting. Can’t he not still serve in another capacity?

  5. EJ on February 9, 2009 at 9:52 am

    My last name also happens to be Gallagher and I am not related to Mike. However, my great grandfather who came to Pennsylvania as a coal miner and moved to Iowa after the Republican Party and Pinkertons broke the union would believe that Mike was one of those despicable Irish who sold out and although were few in number, were also not the finest in the land. Norm did the same thing.I would agree with the prior poster that Norm may be serving another term in a federal institution with even greater isolating walls than the U.S.Senate.

  6. Julie on February 9, 2009 at 9:55 am

    Tired old tactic – throwing the God card.

    And I guess if this senate thing doesn’t work out for him, he’ll work for a lobbying firm.

    Yeah, right it’s God…

  7. Victoria on February 9, 2009 at 10:02 am

    I can’t stand this man. I voted for Frankin and now during a crisis of epic proportions in this country he is whining like a sore loser. Minnesotans are denied our rightful representation in the senate because this loser won’t let go of his ego long enough to give a care about us. When will his narcissism end? Send Frankin to the senate and toss this loser Coleman to the side.

  8. Joan Moore on February 9, 2009 at 10:03 am

    God is an American Republican? He sure has messed things up if that is true.

  9. TDF on February 9, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Go to jail, go directly to jail. Do not collect any more bribes. God said “do not steal”

  10. gary mcclendon on February 9, 2009 at 10:07 am

    If God wanted Norm he would have made no doubts about it….LIKE HE DID WITH OBAMA. Sorry Norm, God don’t play your skanky politics.

  11. Nathan on February 9, 2009 at 10:12 am

    God isn’t exactly cheering to have an egotisical prick and sore loser serve in the Senate.

  12. Melvin Ioto on February 9, 2009 at 10:17 am

    No, Norm, G++ wants you to shut up, take your loss, and get out of our sight. You have had your 20 minutes, and you lost to a jokester.

  13. HmblDog on February 9, 2009 at 10:18 am

    Maybe he is misunderstanding what God meant. Perhaps God wants him to serve on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

  14. james D'Addio on February 9, 2009 at 10:19 am

    I bet he didn’t read the entire stimulus package.
    It’s great to have faith but faith alone will not bail you out of this greedy disaster..He is wasting our time with this and other non partisan senators that will not ride with the president on air force one.

  15. james D'Addio on February 9, 2009 at 10:19 am

    I bet he didn’t read the entire stimulus package.
    It’s great to have faith but faith alone will not bail you out of this greedy disaster..He is wasting our time with this and other non partisan senators that will not ride with the president on air force one.

  16. Gronkwaller on February 9, 2009 at 10:24 am

    Mayhap Monsieur Coleman is referring to his hallucination that God wants Coleman to serve as a speedbump on the road to Fiscal, Social, and Diplomatic recovery.

    He’s got to stop watching those Joan of Arc movies.

  17. PAWA on February 9, 2009 at 10:30 am

    He wants you to serve? Great – Pack your bags and head to Afghanistan.

  18. myron on February 9, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Perhaps sir you have lost your mind as well as the election, this brings a new meaning to bull twinkie.

  19. God on February 9, 2009 at 10:43 am

    God wants him to serve. I predict in his next job he will get that opportunity. Norm, learn to say “Do you want fries with that?”

  20. myron on February 9, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Perhaps sir you have lost your mind as well as the election, this brings a new meaning to bull twinkie.

  21. He who is called I AM on February 9, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Will everyone please stop trying to speak for me? I have made it quite clear in recent events that I do not get involved with the day-to-day activities of you mortals! I certainly do not involve myself with politics and in picking political sides, despite your repeated claims that I do. I have found them all to be disreputable and unbecoming.

    Your successes or failures are a reflection of your own activities, not of divine intervention or bestowment, and those that claim otherwise will answer to that in due time.

  22. God on February 9, 2009 at 11:06 am

    Wrong. I’m for Al Franken.

  23. CaptainVideo on February 9, 2009 at 11:08 am

    People who think that God wants them to do something are always dangerous and need to be kept from positions of power, so they can do less harm.

  24. Josh on February 9, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Please some one put this loser and the rest of the republicans in prison….

  25. Nick on February 9, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Norm needs to remember that Christ’s example to the Apostles was to serve THEM first, by washing their feet.

    Humility and honesty are the hallmarks of service, not self-aggrandizement and fantasies of being called to public office.

  26. Carl Feher on February 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Norm, there may be someone on your side but it certainly isn’t God. Better check the thermostat.

  27. Pat on February 9, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    Keep dragging out the outcome , you just drag down the
    rest of the corrupt republicans. Maybe you could set something up with Larry Craig in the mens bathroom,
    after all your right there at the courthouse everyday how far
    could it be!!!!!!

  28. Timothy Meadows in Maine on February 9, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    Franken’s funny, but you posters here are equally so. Thank you for the chuckles this morning, and may God, the original humorist, bless Al Franken!

  29. Julia on February 9, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Good Lord. God wants you to be humble, Norm. Forget about the Senate. There is nothing wrong with you that a few years of community service wouldn’t cure. Haiti would be my first choice. No wonder your colleague compares your party to the Taliban. Bunch of name of God invokers. It is truly a wonder the lot of you aren’t wiped out with a thunderbolt.

  30. Lee on February 9, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    I think the voters wish should be higher on the list than Mr. Coleman’s religious thoughts.

  31. Virginia Fey on February 9, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    I am disgusted by this thing Republicaans keep doing where they declare that “God wants me to serve”– or “God okays this thing I did.” WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE? What makes them think they have an inside track on God’s Will and God’s wants. MY God does not want anyone who says something like that in power– cos they are EGOMANIACS of the HIGHEST DEGREE and will serve no one and nothing except their own will and ego and best interests. These sort of statements make me sick to my stomach. I was pretty neutral on this whole election mess– I figured the system and the courts would sort out who really won– but now, I will “pray” for anyone but Coleman to serve. Let’s see who God is really listening to.

    Also– there was a time they locked up or burned folks declaring they alone heard the Voice of God speaking– now we elect them to public office???

  32. frances on February 9, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    perhaps God wants him to serve, but the people of MN did not and it’s their votes that count.

    stop playing the God-card, it just makes you look like a dumb-@$$.

  33. Franken-stinian on February 9, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    Coleman must have read Al Franken’s book, “God Spoke”. And found insipiration therefrom.

  34. claudia Miller tucson az on February 9, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    Holy crap! these guys just don’t get it! I am totally dumb founded why they keep resorting to their tired old rhetoric!

  35. Ricardo on February 9, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    No, Norm. It isn’t God that wants to be Senator. It’s just the voices in your head.

  36. YellowCake on February 9, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Does Norm have paperwork or a video from god? If so, let him in.

  37. RLS on February 9, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Where is the Guv on this issue? He represents the voters of Minnesota who are now deprived of participation in the shaping of their future in the Senate. The almost VP vominee is AOL. Man, that’s real leadership! RLS

  38. CodeWorrier on February 9, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    TIME, Norm…God wants you to serve…time.
    What a difference a word makes.

  39. Izzy on February 9, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    Virginia Fey, you are as hypocritical as the ones who say “God wants me to serve”… Look at your own words

    “I am disgusted by this thing Republicaans keep doing where they declare that “God wants me to serve”– or “God okays this thing I did.” WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE? What makes them think they have an inside track on God’s Will and God’s wants. MY God does not want anyone who says something like that in power-“

    Yet YOU have the inside track to know that your god “does not want anyone like that in power?” How do you know?

    All you who declare anything about “god” are so freakin stupid its amazing! NONE of you have ever talked to a god. You read a book written by men who said THEY talked to a god. They had the exact same narcissim as Norm Coleman and all of you do, EVERY TIME you say “God wants you to serve…” “God wouldn’t do this or that…”…
    Its laughable, the cattle mentality of humans and religion!!
    I didnt need a god to tell me not to steal, cheat, kill, commit adultery, or any of the other commandments.. its kinda common sense!

  40. MR on February 9, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    God didn’t mean in Congress, Silly! He was talking about a homeless shelter or soup kitchen! Go ahead, ask him again. I suggested to him that he clear up the miscommunication and he agreed.

  41. Bar on February 9, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    Norm, Norm
    Go away
    Run again
    Another day

    If you still don’t get it. This time you wre voted OUT

  42. Truthseeker on February 9, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    God wants him to serve? Does he have a tape or video of this conversation? What an asshole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. Mark on February 9, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Voices inside my head……………..

  44. dem in chicago on February 9, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Speaking as a jew, it’s ridiculous and unsettling to hear a fellow jew talk like that. The Jewish concept of God does not hold a opinion on whom will be Minnesota’s senator. It’s just blatent pandering to republican Christian conservatives. Once again, the former senator is fooling no one! Go away Norm, you’re a disgrace to Jews everywhere!

  45. Rich Monk on February 9, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    Coleman is just another Christian Republican who thinks that being a racist, bigoted, ignorant, intolerant, greedy brown noser are actually family values to believe in. He should be put in prison or hanged like the rest of the Piggish Republicans who have ruined this country.

  46. Richard E Massey on February 9, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    February 9th, 2009

    To: Norm Coleman
    Fm: God
    Subj: References

    Please to not use Me as a reference. Regrettably, I cannot provide a reference for you or any other politician as is Heavenly Policy.

    Even if it was to be the policy to offer references; I would not act in your behalf. You have disappointed Me many times. Others; too.

    Please cease and desist with comments that the Lord wants you to serve.

    Sincerely,
    J. Christ
    Heavenly Host

  47. cigi on February 9, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Rich Monk, IAM, you two are so right on. I am a Progressive liberal and I think your posts were very descriptive of the folly that foolish men choose to follow. Cudos to your insights!

  48. Tom on February 9, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    If God wanted Norm to win, Norm would be in Washington right now debating the stimulus bill.

    The fact that Norm’s in St. Paul indicates that God didn’t want Norm to win.

    Using this line of reasoning, I guess God doesn’t want Republicans to control the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate or the White House.

    Of course, Jesus did ride a donkey into Jerusalem and not an elephant. That seems pretty clear to me.

  49. HAT on February 9, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    The last time I checked, Imaginary characters (God) Didn’t have the right to vote.
    The VOTERS Elected Franken.
    GET OVER IT LOSER !

  50. Rainbow Warrior on February 9, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    The truth will set us free. Coleman has not been truthful. Coleman shall not go free for his crimes. We don’t need criminals in our government. We don’t need Coleman.

  51. Dan on February 9, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    Wow! That is strange. You see, when I spoke to God about what is going on in Minnesota he said, “They’re both assholes (Coleman and Franken); but at least that Al guy makes me laugh.”

    God also told me that Jesus refuses to come back until we put all of the crosses away. I guess they scare him, or something to the effect. He also wanted me to let everyone know that Bill Hicks and Robert Marley are doing fine; They wanted to pass along a little message… “See you all soon!”

    -d.

    (Horus = Jesus)

  52. Clara KCMO on February 9, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Oh, I think Coleman is right, “G-d wants hims to serve all right, about 5-10 on corruption charges!”

  53. sandy on February 9, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    The man has no shame. He lost election so why is this still dragging on?

  54. pperlo on February 9, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Sue
    Let me give you a 411 – Jews vote for Democrats and have done so for generations.

    Take a look at the Florida statistics…75% of the Jewish population voted for Obama. Contrast that with the state as a whole

  55. pookie dammit on February 9, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Coleman is Jewish (as am I). Sorry Norm, save that poop for evangelical Christians.

  56. Betsy of MN on February 9, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    I am a Minnesotan and am expressing my view that Norm Coleman should have accepted the results and gone to be a lobbyist. When he was ahead he didn’t want all the votes counted and now he does. We need a representative for Minnesota and not for Norm Coleman. His personal finances are questionable. Didn’t Jesus throw the money changers out of the temple!He is an embarassment to Minnesota.

  57. mike on February 9, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    Coleman ( AKA – Mr Ed) needs to give up on his lost cause and start devoting time to his false teeth business.

  58. MARK on February 9, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    I like that:

    Serve in Prison?

    Serve in Hell?

    Serve as slave to Republican Machine?

  59. Stephanie on February 9, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    Just another deluded Christian believing “god” is on their side. There is no supernatural being up in the sky who is keeping score of our “sins” in order to punish us later for them. There is no god who sent his “son”, who is actually himself, in order to save us from his own wrath!. The whole concept is truly ridiculous. Wake up people!!!! There is no god.

  60. Brightlight on February 9, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    Your “God” must have a sense of humor. He also told Bush to attack Iraq and Palin to run for VP, and I’m sure had words for Ted Haggard as he, well you know the rest.

  61. Skywatch on February 9, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    What other voices do you hear?

  62. Jean Bainger on February 9, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    Calling out the name of God – aren’t these those false witness thingies. His name in vain, and lying about God talking to us.

    How do these people, who use God as their excuse, not fear for their salvation. Maybe because at heart they relly don’t believe.

  63. Mano on February 9, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    If GOD was a Republican or Dem for that matter.Why is this country so mess up! Please, you Bible people, stop using GOD to somehow think he care about worldly goverments.

  64. SuznAZ on February 9, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    Norm is serving the agenda of the Gop…by prolonging the time the seat is empty and casting doubt on the eventual seating of Al Franken. In doing so the gop gets to put a target on Al’s back and sling arrows at will. They’re likely underestimating their target but then that’s how they roll these days. Norm however is scoring points in the tit for tat accounting and likely will reap financial rewards. Hasn’t changed since he was a teenager… still looking to score.

  65. robtstark on February 9, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    Using God’s name in vain?

  66. stinky on February 9, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    His comment is disturbing. Which “God” wants him to serve? The Jewish one or the Christian one? Will somebody ask him?
    Think of the possibilities: “Norm, why would Jesus want you to serve? Before you ran again, did you fall on your knees and ask for His blessing? Or perhaps your Jewish “God” has chosen you? Did your Jewish “God” confer with Our Lord and have they both agreed that the election has been stolen from you? Have they both let Allah in on the deal? Was it a group decision? No? Allah wasn’t involved? You mean it was only Lord Jesus Christ? When did he tell you this? Was it while you were in church one recent Sunday?”

    It’d be fun to watch him squirm.

    If any of you think that this might be too heavy-handed then, at least, somebody should ask him if the American people are comfortable with the idea of his Jewish “God” making political decisions for the majority non-Jewish people of Minnesota.

    Just sayin’ …

  67. God on February 9, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Norm,
    I wasn’t speaking to you. I was speaking to Al.
    If I were you, I’d watch out for the thunderbolt. Those who lie get hit with one.

    GOD

  68. GodToldMe ToWriteThis on February 9, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    If he wants to be a Senator some time in the future, he should learn that Senator’s don’t sign bills. They vote for or against them.

    Its these little disconnects that make people interesting, but you would think that a prospective Senator would have some idea about what his job entails.

  69. hdtv information on February 9, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Then god must have been sleeping during the election since God wanted McCain/Palin to win too.

    Coleman needs to go to jail for his campaign finance bs and stop trying to be a Senator. He will get blown wide open for that if need be, it just matters how far he wants to take his whining.

  70. Ramón on February 9, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    Norm? Hi, this is Ramón. How are you? Norm; God spoke to me about fifteen minutes ago? and he asked me to tell you that He has changed his mind. He wants you to serve Him in Darfur, helping the poor and afflicted. He feels that committing to 24 months there will give you some much-needed humility.
    He said to pack only the essentials; He’ll provide everything else you will need, and God speed (I think that His sense of humor at work!).
    Don’t forget to write!

  71. nofltwlt on February 9, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    What an ass-wipe Norm Coleman is!

    If he was a god fearing man he wouldn’t have taken money on the side, he wouldn’t let other “MEN” cloth him, and he wouldn’t let other “MEN” house him, and he would have won by a landslide.

    What is Norm trying to say, is he saying that even god’s intervention couldn’t convince Minnesotans to vote for him?

  72. Jake on February 9, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    You Minnesotans ought to be ashamed. Only the deep south can lay claim to as many elected political hacks as you have in Bachmann and Coleman – and from a supposedly “liberal” state. Wow!!!

  73. unhipcat on February 9, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    God told me he doesn’t norm anywhere near the Senate anymore.

  74. Dan on February 9, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    Dear Norm,

    No I don’t.

    Yours truly,

    God.

  75. Liz on February 9, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    God may want Norm to serve, but unfortunately He isn’t a registered voter in Minnesota. Minnesotans want Franken.

  76. Derek on February 9, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Hopefully he praises Jesus as the homeys butt plug him in the prison shower. Some people are so artificial as to be practically translucent. His real judgment isn’t even coming in this lifetime.

    Hey Norm, how does it feel to be going to hell?

  77. Craig Shaver on February 9, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Must be the divine right thing raising an ugly head again. Jesus cured the lepers. Based on Coleman’s statements and voting record Coleman would have told them to get their own health care or rot. Jesus threw the money lenders out of the temple. Coleman deregulated them and helped give them tax breaks for being good thieves. Jesus fed the hungry with the loaves and fishes. Coleman would have told them to pay for the crumbs that fell off the table.

    God wants him to serve? Like hell she does.

  78. lauram on February 9, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    …perhaps god should have given you more votes if she really wanted you to serve.

  79. whitehawk on February 9, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    I hate to tell you this Norm C., but your hearing things. See, God is not a political entity, he discourages his followers to enter politics or even to vote. Since, you think you’ve been blessed by God, as was Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and the rest of you in that little ‘gathering’ of the Family Republicans, your wrong Norm C.

    He doesn’t want you near the political scene, Sarah Palin has her own religious issue’, Clinton sat beside you in prayer and both being guided by God? Both intructed to serve as President? My, my, I think, time has come to commit all of you.

  80. marcus2 on February 9, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    Maybe God wants Norm to accept defeat like a true man. When people say God wants them to do something, I think it’s their ego – out of control.

  81. Tetiana on February 9, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    What a fruit loop!!! Talk about abusing the name GOD to get power. God has better things to do then to tell people that he wants Coleman to serve. Give it a break you LOST now go and find another job. Next, to more important issues…………….

  82. Charles Bado on February 9, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    If he can get that in writing from the man upstairs he’s all set!

  83. Bill33614 on February 9, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    I think Norm would be great in McDonalds. The menu is so varied, he would not have to make a stable decision.

  84. RP27964 on February 9, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    I am going to invoke the name of Larry Flynt in this one. He said anyone who knows what God or Christ want could be best served with a dose of Lithium. Hallucinations of such type and such grandiosity are clearly a sign of bipolar disorder.

    Besides I have more faith in Larry’s honesty than ex-sen Coleman. I do otherwise support pornographers, as a (I hope)
    compassionate physician.

  85. rp27964 on February 9, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    Sorry I DO NOT support pornographers !typo!

  86. wrgaff on February 9, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    And Norm just wants To Serve Man –

    Wait! To Serve Man – it’s a COOKBOOK!!!

  87. Old Guy on February 9, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    God let Norm Coleman see his shadow and we all know that means six more weeks of trial.

  88. Laura on February 9, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Oh yeah, Al Franken – dear God, help us all if that loser gets in. He needs to stick with Hollywood – he’s no politician. He doesn’t make a pimple on Norm Coleman’s you know what…

  89. Ramón on February 9, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Ronald Reagan was an actor, and a B-movie actor at that.

  90. carl mcgarry on February 9, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    yeah. serve time in jail

  91. Norman on February 9, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    T Monk —-For your information Coleman was Jewish, the last time i heard, unless, like he has been known to change, as he few years ago from Democrat to Conservative and Rubber Stamped Bush Republican. In fact he is currently working for the Republican Jewish Committee and getting paid for it. He is a sleazebag and phony as a 3 dollar bill, Minnesota should be glad to rid themselves from an egocentric and biased and unethical person. He is promoting and soliciting money with Newsmax for his lawyers to obstruct and impede Franken from proper representation for the state of Minnesota, SHAME ON HIM

  92. indc on February 9, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    OK, I have a Sam Adams and two orders of chicken wings.

  93. Stanislausky on February 9, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    nice choppers

  94. Kate on February 9, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    I’m not surprised about the God thing. I’m actually surprised that he asked for donations. After the election.

    His arrogance is breathtaking.

  95. GHWaite on February 9, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Coleman, God wants you to sit down, STFU and let that nice Jewish boy take the job.

  96. The Anti-Norm on February 9, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Norm,

    I command you to cease using my name in vain!

  97. Chris on February 9, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    I’m a very liberal person with a strong belief in the separation of church and state. However, I think this article is irresponsible and probably blowing this out of proportion. So what if Coleman feels his calling from God is to serve the American people? Yes, he’s probably religious. Yes, Republicans have a history of abusing the exploitation of religion to get political advantage. But I think in this instance he’s merely expressing his honest opinion that his higher calling in life is to serve in office, which I personally think is an honest reflection of his self-examination, just like I feel God has given me special talents and callings in life. I think if we demonize these nit-picky things in Coleman, we are further dividing this country needlessly when our country is more divided than it has been since perhaps the civil war. That all said, I hope Frankin comes out victorious in all of this. But all in all, let’s focus on taking the higher ground in unifying the country rather than engaging in the partisanship that so many Republicans engage in.

  98. Mark Proulx on February 9, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    God wants him to serve – jail time. What a flaming product of bean burritos.

  99. Michael Hernandez on February 9, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    God wants him to serve a PRISON term. Norm cannot read tarot cards properly.

  100. Dave N. on February 9, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Why are we bothering with all this re-count nonsense if God has already spoken?

  101. Guinivere on February 9, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    Gee that’s weird, because God told me he didn’t want Coleman to serve.

  102. hauksdottir on February 9, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    If Coleman truly believed that his personal God was talking to him and leaving him messages, he’d look at the favors (free home remodeling and free clothes) and the denial of favors (Franken won the election) and immediately sign on with a lobbying firm representing retailers and marketers. His God could shower him with wealth (and more freebies), and the rest of the country could get back to work on reconstruction and repair without distractions.

  103. christopher Dekker on February 9, 2009 at 11:04 pm

    If God wanted you to serve, Mr. Coleman, he shouldn’t have had his wife forge his signature on his absentee ballot.

  104. Jerry on February 9, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    There is no god.

  105. Focus on February 9, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    God was outvoted.

  106. Tor on February 9, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    Hey, Coleman. If God wanted you to serve, HE would have let you win the first time around. Sounds like God is sending a different message, like maybe he wants you to look like a buffoon in front of the entire country. You lost. It’s over. Move on. Have some dignity.

  107. Jay on February 9, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    Fortunately God has no power over Minnesota elections.

  108. Amanda on February 9, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Then why didn’t God vote for you? He told me NOT to vote for you. You should probably give him a call and ask him why he is sending mixed messages.

  109. Mark Donahue on February 10, 2009 at 12:06 am

    Once again I find a “news” story that only has a handful of words of a statement. Why not the whole statement? Then we can really see if he said what you are saying he said. Until I hear the statement itself or read the entire quote…I pretty much regard what I’m being told as propaganda. Let us hear or see the entire statement please.

  110. Eric Ostermeier on February 10, 2009 at 12:29 am

    > However, I think this article is irresponsible and probably
    > blowing this out of proportion.

    How is this article irresponsible? What, specifically, is blown out of proportion? I clearly state in my blog that:

    “Coleman did later temper those rather immodest remarks by adding that he “is not indispensable and that others can serve as well.”

    One of the main points of the blog was to showcase Coleman’s skillful, though chameleon-like ability to tailor his remarks to his audience – be it the far right (Gallagher’s) or the left (MPR’s).

    > But I think in this instance he’s merely expressing his honest
    > opinion that his higher calling in life is to serve in office,

    And my blog does not state anything to the contrary. In no place in my blog do I maintain that Coleman says God wants him to WIN the recount.

  111. purplewolf on February 10, 2009 at 12:31 am

    I have always heard that GOD does not take sides. I am grateful I don’t live in his state. And we all thought that the Illinois governor was the only joke in the political world. Repukelicans are and always be poor losers. Since he wants this to drag on so long, and it certainly is not free, Norm should foot the bill for all this foot dragging he is responsible for with all of his assets, perhaps then he will dry up and blow away.

    And I thought the Gallagher they were talking about was the comedian with the watermelons and sledge hammer fetish. Darn, but it would be a sight to use Norm’s head in place of that watermelon.

  112. Eric Ostermeier on February 10, 2009 at 12:34 am

    > Until I hear the statement itself or read the entire quote…I
    > pretty much regard what I’m being told as propaganda. Let
    > us hear or see the entire statement please.

    Alternately, you could read this blog in the larger context of the site and its mission, and then you would come across entries like this:

    http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2008/11/coleman_victory_would_be_the_g.php

    …at which point you would quickly learn this blog is not one to deal in propaganda – and certainly not against Coleman.

    (By the way, the audio is not available on-line. Gallagher’s old shows are subscription-only).

  113. Zidek666 on February 10, 2009 at 12:35 am

    This recount farce is wonderful and hope it lasts a long long time!! The longer we can keep either Al Frankenstein or God’s servant Coleman away from Washington to do evermore damage to our Constitution, Liberties and pocket books the better!

  114. Buck Emberg on February 10, 2009 at 1:12 am

    As a Minnesotan living overseas I can only say, “Oh, my God! You thinking God wants you makes me pray for your failure!”

    Norm, you MUST have been misquoted. No Minnesotan could say that.

  115. Robert Humphrey on February 10, 2009 at 8:04 am

    I didn’t vote for either of these guys, but specifically against Coleman for his turning Republican, and his implicit denial of the wrongful death of his opponent Paul Wellstone, and sell-out to Dubya and right wing elites. No doubt Coleman doesn’t give a shit about Minnesotans, he’s part of our problem.
    Minnesota leaders couldn’t even hold an independent inquiry into the Wellstone crash investigated by the same NTSB and former cia agent who headed the investigation into the Gov. of Missouri Mel Carnahan plane crash a couple of weeks before his election in 2000.
    I’m sure Senator Coleman is aware of this as well as every other Senator in the nation. He’s just another criminal in charge of our “security”.
    Hey Senator, lead, follow, or get the fuck out of the way!

  116. Steve on February 10, 2009 at 8:07 am

    Hearing yet another US politician going on about ‘God’ is just so creepy. I’m in Britain and if any of our politicians ever started going on about it, we’d laugh at them! I mean, to me it comes across just as weird as hearing them go on about reincarnation or voodoo. Admittedly only a small number of our population is actively religious, which probably explains it – after all, Blair seems to have embraced his Catholicism. Regardless, I think it’s sad that so many people in an advanced nation like the States still believe in Gods and the ‘truth’ revealed to them in 2,000 year old books written by men at a time of great ignorance and barbarity. People will look back on it like we look back on those who believed in dragons.

  117. Cheryl on February 10, 2009 at 10:08 am

    I wish people like Coleman would quit blaming their imaginary sky buddy for their actions.

  118. Jill on February 10, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Why does Coleman and God hate America?

  119. Ibett on February 10, 2009 at 11:43 am

    God wants Norm to serve, remember when George W. Bush went on national TV and said “he prayed about it and God wanted him to take Saddam Hussein from power”? We all know how that is working.
    Christians, crack me up!

  120. Nancy LeMay on February 10, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    Norm – I just can’t believe you GOP guys – the Republicans want to be called that now – so no one knows they are Republicans – you need to hang your head in shame and God is watching you. It is time for you to go. Thank you.

  121. Jim on February 10, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Republicans are digging themselves deeper and deeper. Let Coleman continue to play the delusional winner. He lost and everyone who is not a Rush dittohead will remember how poorly he behaved denying the people of his state a voice during the most critical economic debate in US history.

  122. FastMovingCloud on February 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    I was going to make a comment about his egotism and how he should step aside if he actually cares about the fate of Minnesotans but about 100 other people beat me to it!

  123. David Johnson on February 10, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    It’s a pity his god, as an omnipotent creator of the universe, couldn’t have gotten you a few more votes then…

  124. Maureen Meyer on February 10, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    No, God said, “I want you to swerve.” It was icy that day, remember?

  125. B Z on February 10, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Colman appears to have confused God with the Devil

  126. Tradewind on February 10, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    As a Jew, I’m stunned that Coleman would resort to using the G* word to pander for money and rationalization to drag out the election. He will stop at nothing for personal gain. Did he take lessons from Madoff? Oops no, his mentor was Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.

  127. Ewendel on February 11, 2009 at 7:32 am

    for Franken to have over turned the vote in a recount was nothing short of dishonest. Overturns NEVER happen. The whole recount was fishy and so when it is requested to be made clear as Norm has instead of secretly discarding and counting as you please and you whine about it? America won’t survive as America with all the Dem BS that goes on.

  128. Patrcik on February 11, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    Norm….God wanted you to serve..in Vietnam..you blew it.

  129. CAH on February 11, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    God wants Norm just like he wanted George to destroy the US economy.

  130. Meep on March 7, 2009 at 11:45 am

    This is a little late in the discussion, but I would like to say that after reading, listening to and watching Al Franken these last few years as he came to involve himself in the political forum, I truly believe him a sincere man. When he ran for the Senate race, I supported his efforts. I still do.

    Norm Coleman seems to be a man desperate to hold onto the Gravy Train. Frankly, I was surprised to even see him crawl out from under the rock after the George Galloway lashing.

    As to the will of Divine Providence and the senate seat for Norm Coleman, a man’s ego will always strive to create God in his own image, and so in that respect of human foible, he’s probably right. The voice of his God does tell him so.

    Perhaps after all is said and done, Norm can go drown his sorrows by taking a shopping spree to the Mall of America …the one over in Red Wing. He can buy a new hat, perhaps.

    Interesting comment above about the Paul Wellstone tragedy.
    It was quite a convenient death.

  131. Resimler on March 8, 2009 at 6:30 am

    God wants you to be served.

  132. Seth on April 22, 2009 at 12:13 am

    Wow, some of these comments are pretty hateful. First of all, Norm Coleman is Jewish. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/us/politics/15minn.html. That said, his pandering doesn’t surprise me. I recall a professor who had seen him talk to an evangelical type crowd and said he was pretty much singing Hallelujah when he’s actually Jewish. Odd stuff, and no doubt Norm Coleman (or Goldman, to use the original family name – see the bottom of wcco.com/local/Norm.Coleman.Eric.2.361814.html) deserves his fair share of criticism for it, but some of you folks need to look at yourselves in the mirror when you talk about hate. There’s a such thing as overdoing one’s outrage, and that doesn’t help anyone.

  133. Alxe on July 11, 2009 at 12:22 am

    Republicans are digging themselves deeper…

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