U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman visited Hutchinson Wednesday with a dual message: to say “please” and “thank you.” But not necessarily in that order.
Speaking at Zella’s, he thanked several dozen Republican supporters for their support during the past six years. He then asked them to ask others to vote for him again on Nov. 4.
“I want to be Minnesota’s guy,” he said to a standing-room-only crowd. “I want your vote. I need your vote.”
With Coleman’s DFL opponent, Al Franken, leading in many polls, the former prosecutor and St. Paul mayor is campaigning hard to sway voters to his side. During his 20-minute talk, he said Minnesotans have a choice of voting for someone who has been serving them for 30 years, or “someone who just parachuted in.”
Al Franken’s “not running for Minnesota,” Coleman said. “He’s not offering … what’s going to grow jobs or make you more secure.”
Franken, he said, is most interested in starting costly programs that will only compound the nation’s financial difficulties. “My opponent’s got more programs and tax increases and that doesn’t help the middle class,” he said.
Coleman said he believes in Minnesotans' desire for progress. “The way to grow jobs is, No. 1, you don’t raise taxes,” he said.
For the full story about Coleman's visit, see page 3A of the Leader's Oct. 9 print edition.
(Doug Hanneman is editor of the Hutchinson Leader. He may be reached at hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com)


I cannot vote for Mr....
Back to page topI cannot vote for Mr. Coleman - I do not think I can stomach another Republican administration. I blame this administration in the economic mess that we find ourselves in at this time. The downfall began several years ago when we lost control of the gas prices, and I have always said that the high price of gas will bankrupt this country and here we are today!! The government is a little too late to bring back economic prosperity. Our citizens are gun shy right now, and they won't be spending a whole lot of money. Rather than buy a new home, they will hunker down, and stay where they are presently living (unless a job change requires a move). People are so afraid of losing their jobs, and thus won't spend any money on what they consider "non-essentials." Wake up politicians, the $600.00 stimulus checks you gave us didn't quite do it!!! Give the citizens jobs (and good paying jobs - not $6.00/hr. jobs at McDonalds). The gap between the rich and poor is widening every day, and the middle class is falling through the cracks, while the business executives continue to enjoy big homes, high compensations, and stock options. I wouldn't be surprised if there would be a revolution in the next few years, and our politicians are all booted out of office permanently and the government will lose control as a result. Then we can start from the bottom again with an even playing field and it won't matter who you are or what your last name is!!
You are right. Maybe they...
Back to page topYou are right. Maybe they can click their heals together, do a little dance, and jobs will just appear. Everyone in America will make at least 50k a year, gas prices will drop to 50 cents a gallon, and cute little furry animals will dance around the park singing praise to the glorious sunny skies. Skittles will rain down from the heavens, rainstorms across Africa will end the years of drought and famine, all combantants will lay down their arms across the globe and sing songs together around a fire. There will be no more wars, no more hunger and no more worrying. Scientists will discover a cure for every known disease and the Vikings will finally win a superbowl. All of this could have happened already if Norm Coleman wasn't in office.
I thought that was supposed...
Back to page topI thought that was supposed to happen when we voted Jesse in as Gov:)
Maybe when Jesse is Prez...
Back to page topMaybe when Jesse is Prez
Yup, more Democrats is the...
Back to page topYup, more Democrats is the answer sice they've done such a great job since taking control of the Congress in 2006. Gas prices, unemployment and the overall economy is much better since then.
What was that? Did somebody...
Back to page topWhat was that? Did somebody actually suggest that a revolution was the way to go??? Medication refill time!
"The tree of liberty must be...
Back to page top"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
I can't pick out the...
Back to page topI can't pick out the patriots from the tyrants.
Norm Coleman is an Empty...
Back to page topNorm Coleman is an Empty Suit
Wow first Norm Coleman votes to bailout his Wall Street buddies, then we find out he is getting free $1000.00 Neiman Marcus suits from investment executive Nasser Kazeminy, and now its campaign contributions from the fraudster Tom Petters.
Al Franken didn't get one penny from Petters and he was against the bailout. At least we have one choice for a politican who will fight for Minnesotans.
You sound like a commercial....
Back to page topYou sound like a commercial.
I can't find the button to...
Back to page topI can't find the button to change channels or to hang up!! Oh well, I do like that idea of Franken's to have the flamingo as the state bird though. Adds a little color to our otherwise dull lives here in MN.
Oh come on! They've both...
Back to page topOh come on! They've both done wrong. Stop trying to portray Franken as the right choice because Coleman is so bad and vice-versa. You need to vote based on what each one stands for and believes in. Dig deep enough and you'll find they've both gotten money and perks from groups you'd disagree with. You think Franken hasn't gotten free stuff and perks from a group or organization that doesn't have a great track record? Coleman got money from the Petters Group...Wow, and I suppose you and Al knew all along they were crooked!
Why is Norm paling around...
Back to page topWhy is Norm paling around with an Iranian businessman
Nasser Kazeminy is the Iranian born businessman that has been been flying Norm Coleman around on his jet and apparently buying Norm expensive suits. So the question should be why is Norm paling around with someone from Iran, a terrorist state? That is the question no one is asking?
Just who is this Nasser Kazeminy?
From what I have read he is...
Back to page topFrom what I have read he is an American businessman with United States citizenship who was born in Iran. We have politicians in office who weren't necessarily born in the US. That doesn't make them bad people which you seem to be implying here. I am not for or against Norm Coleman. I plan on voting for Barkley but it is comments like these that drive me crazy. Trying to tie a politician to a terrorist state because he is friends with someone who was born there is absolutely insane. It is no wonder most Americans are sick of politics as usual.
The gas prices and the...
Back to page topThe gas prices and the economy is the result of the past eight years of failed programs and failed thinking. It is hardly the result of the democrats who just recently took control of things. To decrease unemployment maybe "W" junior could get us into another murder spree with a country that was no more a threat to us than the boogie man. That way his cronies could get rich and he could continue his lies that he is keeping us safe.
This is for...
Back to page topThis is for 'BirdFluPandemic'...maybe you should have been in the Twin Towers on 9-11 or better yet, in one of the jets that crashed that day. According to you it was 'no more a threat than the boogie man'.
It's amazing how fast people forget!!!