Who was extorting what from whom, or attempting it, and how, exactly?

How was Senator Coleman being “used as a tool”?

Used as a means, that could include a passive dimension.

“Used as a tool,” is the Senator’s chosen wording, and you do not use a tool passively, there is some active use – where the tool is by the nature of active use, privy to the process.

How was this Senator privy to being used as a tool? When did it happen? What was his earliest disclosure of being “used as a tool”?

I think that language alone, never mind the clarion call Senator Norm Coleman used to invite an investigation, is by itself cause to want to inquire. I believe the best possible starting point is for the mainstream media to press the Senator to explain himself publicly, not to glide and slide, but name names, state dates, describe actions and activities. Less than that would just look very, very bad.

But Angry Al isn’t too opposed to stealing elections, because that is exactly what he is doing right now — stealing an election.