Coleman Campaign Kick Off - Scott County Style

I spent the better part of this morning having breakfast with Senator Norm Coleman and about 100 of his closest friends....in Scott County. Today was the Scott County stop of the Coleman for Senate Kick Off Campaign.

Sen. Coleman was greeted warmly by the supporters - in spite of the early hour (7am). After several minutes of greeting dignitaries (Chamber of Commerce members, Rep Mike Beard HD35A and yours truly) the Senator was introduced by Bruce B. a retired Shakopee resident who spoke about how Senator Coleman helped him get the Social Security Administration to quit taking Medicare Part D premiums (which he cancelled because he was getting insurance through the VA) from his Social Security check. That story was just an example of the many things that Senator Coleman has been able to get done for the state.

Contrary to the DFL talking points (and to the chagrin of a majority of the Republican Party "base") Sen. Coleman has not voted "in-lockstep" with President Bush. For example, Senator Coleman voted not to authorize drilling for oil in ANWAR - something the Bush Administration wanted to do and he voted against the Administration's attempt to close the office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction - an oversight office. He also voted AGAINST the McCain Kennedy Immigration Reform bill - another bill that the Bush Administration favored. However, it is not his voting record with or against the President that I want to highlight. Instead I want to highlight the man behind the votes.

I first met Senator Coleman 4 years ago at a phone bank at the President's re-election headquarters. As a sitting Senator, Sen. Coleman was (of course) trailed by a phalanx of media and handlers. He walked from person to person at the office, shaking hands and chatting briefly with every volunteer. The Junior Logician was with me at the time and when the Senator came to him, he sat down and chatted for almost 5 minutes with the Junior Logician. Today was no different. Today the Senator spoke with Matthew W - a Boy Scout who is working on a Citizenship badge and as part of that is writing a letter to the Senator about illegal immigration. Senator Coleman spent 5 minutes, one on one with Matthew talking about the issue while an obviously proud Mamma W. stood nearby.

During the course of the next 4 years I have seen the Senator at many public forums including the state fair where I saw him interact with a detractor. This person was clearly hostile toward Senator Coleman and his "agenda" but Sen. Coleman smiled and let the man speak and then thanked him for sharing his view with him. Constrast that with how Al Franken treated Peter Fritz at a campaign event last December in Northfield or how he treated Laura Ingraham's producer at the 2004 RNC Convention.

Senator Coleman spent more time talking to individuals this morning than he did making speeches - although he did make a passing reference to a certain someone's problems paying his employees disability and Workman's Comp insurance payments. While people where there to listen to him speak - he was there to hear what his constituents had to say! That is what kind of man Senator Coleman is!

There is a lot more that I can (and will) write about Senator Coleman in his campaign for re-election. However, today's kick-off was a chance for the Senator to do what he does best...touch base with the people he represents.