Bob CollinsNorm Coleman is taking issue with a claim that he is the 4th most corrupt member of the Senate. He held a news conference today to announce that he’s filing a complaint with the state Office of Administrative Hearings, thus informing everyone who hadn’t heard the claim that such a claim existed.
It’s an intriguing piece of political strategy, calling attention to a negative accusatation about yourself.
The accusation is repeated on challenger Al Franken’s blog:
Does Norm Coleman deserve to be re-elected? The numbers tell the story:
* 52 free trips paid for by special interests.
* Over $600,000 from big oil and drug companies.
* Living almost rent-free in the $1,000,000 home of a Washington insider.
* Ranked the 4th most corrupt senator in Washington.
* Colman voted nearly 90% of the time with George Bush.
* Together running up a 10 trillion dollar national debt
* It’s time for Norm to go.
What is the source of this allegation? It appears to come from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. And it doesn’t actually rank Coleman 4th in the Senate. It names 20 congressional people and gives Coleman a “dishonorable mention.” In the top 20, three are senators. Coleman is named as “one to watch.”
