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COLEMAN FOR U.S. SENATE PRESS RELEASE: “SENATOR NORM COLEMAN: MY CAMPAIGN WILL PULL DOWN NEGATIVE ADS”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | October 10, 2008
St. Paul – At a press conference in his St. Paul headquarters today, Senator Norm Coleman announced that he will be ending all negative campaign ads for the remainder of the Senate campaign. Noting the unprecedented and historic challenges currently facing the state and nation, and the fear and angst that is gripping families across the state, Coleman vowed to bring a message of hope and optimism to Minnesotans in every corner of the state over the campaign’s final weeks.
“As of today I am suspending all negative campaign ads and am calling on those who support me to do the same,†Coleman said. “I’m doing this for two reasons. First of all, this is a terrible time for so many people with the financial crisis – with real concerns and fear about people’s jobs – about their life savings – and their children’s future and education — when we are all bombarded with negative messages of real consequence. At times like this, politics should not add to negativity – it should lift people up with hope and a confident vision for the future. And second, I decided that I was not all that interested in returning to Washington for six years based on the judgment of voters that I was not as bad as the other two guys. I want folks to vote for me, not against the other guys.
“I have directed my campaign this morning to begin the process of immediately pulling any negative ad that I am personally responsible for approving- I am also issuing a press release today calling on those who chose to weigh in on this race to honor my call for only positive ads. The fact is, there may be ads in the pipeline- fundraising letters- direct mail—YouTube or Web videos or other campaign messages that will filter out into the public over the next several days. I raise this because I want to avoid being caught up on a technicality while the good faith effort is being made to pull these ads down.
“At a time when we need unity, people want hope and that’s what I have offered and acted upon my entire life in public service. As many people know, my theme when I was running for election as Mayor of Saint Paul was that Saint Paul’s best days are yet to come. My mantra was hope plus confidence yields investment. And, I was right. Today, people need hope and a more positive campaign is a start.â€
The full text of the Senator’s speech is available at http://www.colemanforsenate.com/.
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17 Responses to “COLEMAN FOR U.S. SENATE PRESS RELEASE: “SENATOR NORM COLEMAN: MY CAMPAIGN WILL PULL DOWN NEGATIVE ADS””
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October 10th, 2008 at 11:37 AM
IOW, Norm doesn’t want people talking about his record.
BTW – it seems the GOP – today, it’s Norm – won’t take blogger’s questions; today, Norm wouldn’t even let bloggers attend the media event.
All you GOPer Bloggers, take note: if an when you are denied access and/or entrance to DFL pressers, you can thank ol’ Smokescreen and republiCon Ron for setting the precedent.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Wow, he is listening to me *grin*. Dagnabbit, now he actually has a chance!
The problem he faces now is he is stuck talking about the issues, and he’ll lose on most of those.
Thanks Sen Coleman for finally acting, well, Senatorial!
Flash
October 10th, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Coleman stated: “I am suspending all negative campaign ads and am calling on those who support me to do the same.”
What are you going to do for four weeks, Michael?
October 10th, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Tommy, let me get this straight. Coleman’s campaign is not allowing ANY bloggers and you are saying the DFL won’t allow conservative bloggers. Interesting.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Good, I’m glad. This is an admirable move by Coleman. It’s a bit late, after one of the nastiest campaigns in the country, but better late than never.
If there’s one thing Dean Barkley can contribute to this race, apparently, it will be to make Franken and Coleman “go positive.”
I do have to say that the cynical side of me reads the text as an indication that Coleman knows of a big independent expenditure coming. With any luck, that’s just me being paranoid, and we’ll actually have a civil debate for the next 3 weeks.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Wow. Norm Coleman is pulling all of his negative ads for one reason and one reason only. He is out of money!!!!! He doesn’t have enough money to keep running as many ads as he has been so he has to cut his ads by about 90%. It is a sad day at Team Coleman.
Of course he knows that his call for the support ads to do the same will fall on deaf ears. Those ads will continue in earnest and will probably increase to fill the void left by Norm pulling his negative ads. Remember….Norm can’t control those ads…Nudge nudge…wink wink…say no more.
As far as Brodkorb…I think Coleman pretty much put him out to pasture. Didn’t he say this week that nobody should listen to bloggers or respond to anything they say. Poor Mikey.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Wow! Norm has finally admitted that his negative campaign was not working.
What is he going to do with all his free time? Concentrate on the economy like John Mccain did(not)during his briefly suspended campaign?
If Norm doesn’t stay negative, he may not break double digits.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:20 PM
[...] in light of the Barkley campaign’s surge, he announced a big change in his strategy at a press conference today: “As of today I am suspending all negative campaign ads and am calling on those who support [...]
October 10th, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Desperate move by a desperate campaign.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:29 PM
So, will MDE still be on payroll or not. Letting the blogs do your dirty work is the same thing. He’s got a direct connection with the some of the nastiest posters in the states.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Internal polling must show his lead is significant. My bet is that Toxic Al will continue to do the same old crap.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:44 PM
If by his, you mean Franken’s, then yes, I would agree.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:45 PM
The RNC ad that this Franken ad ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljrh72Qy1tw ) responds to is the reason. The ad in question wasn’t Norm’s ad, but he’s the one who takes the heat for it. He doesn’t want this to happen again.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Let’s see…..Rammer holds a presser, complaining about distortions and ads that are lies; next thing ya know, there’s an ad out showing ads supporting Coleman’s are distortions and lies.
WCCO’s Reality Check calls GOPer ads:
“His profanity laced anger followed by violent outbursts,” said the announcer in a National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee ad.
This appears to be a deliberate DISTORTION.”
Somebody better call The Rammer…..
October 10th, 2008 at 1:27 PM
oh wow.. That wellstone ad is a killer.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:55 PM
[...] response to U.S. Senator Norm Colman’s announcement that his campaign will cease all negative advertisements, Team Franken referred to Coleman [...]
October 18th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Reader: I served proudly for our country. I live in another state that is loaded with Democrates. I discussed with Sen. Coleman @ Bixby’s the abuses and corruption of a federal government agency. Sen. Coleman told me (a concern for every American) the matter be looked into and showed concern to the extent of the taxpayers’ money is spent on an agency that has gone beyond the intent of Congress. Sen. Coleman should be reelected. Sen. Coleman shares the concerns of all Americans.