Bush Buddy

Norm Coleman is too close to George Bush. As a principal cheerleader for the Bush-Cheney administration, Coleman backed Bush on every major issue from the economy to Bush’s failed Iraq War strategy. In some recent years, Coleman voted with Bush 98% of the time.

Coleman Proud of Voting with Bush 98 Percent of the Time.
On voting with Bush 98 percent of the time in 2003: “I’m not apologetic about that record. That 98 percent record means that I voted for things that passed, because the president did pass his agenda last year.” [Star Tribune, 1/25/04]

Coleman Called George Bush “Part of God’s Answer.”
In 2002, Coleman said: “George Bush is a leader for our times. When we sing ‘God Bless America,’ it is a prayer, and I believe this person is part of God’s answer.” [Star Tribune, 10/19/02]

Coleman Designated As One of Karl Rove’s “Principal Defenders” in Congress.
The Hill reported that Coleman was one of several congressmen the Republican National Committee designated as “Rove’s principal defenders in Congress,” an assertion that both the RNC and Coleman later downplayed. RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said that Coleman had simply been particularly willing to speak out in Rove’s defense. [Pioneer Press, 7/15/05]