Posted: 3/13/07
Senator Coleman visits Houston
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Bipartisanship is alive and well in our nationís capitol, despite news reports to the contrary, claims Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn). Coleman was in Houston Saturday to discuss issues with about 15 citizens and members of the media.
Gathered at A Little Looney coffee shop, the senator asked each person present what issues were on his or her mind. Topics ranged from the Iraq war to deficit spending to morality in Washington D.C.
A former mayor of St. Paul, Coleman told the group that he wishes there were more mayors in the senate. Most mayors, he explained, donít practice partisan politics. The senate, he said, tends to be less partisan than the house.
"There is a lot more camaraderie in the senate because we need 60 votes. In spite of what we might see in the media, the rest of us work together."
Coleman noted that he served on the agricultural committee with Democrat Amy Klobuchar, and that they agree on ag issues about 90 percent of the time.
"Donít be disheartened by what you hear on the airwaves," he said.
Here are some of the comments the senator had on the issues of the day:
On Iraq: "If we were to simply leave, the mess would be worse, and Al Qaida would be emboldened, said Coleman. He added the U.S. also has to deal with the prospect of Iran.
"We canít be the worldís sole policemen," said the senator. "We need the U.N. to be effective and transparent."
"Weíll probably be in Iraq a long time, but hopefully not in the middle of a civil war.
"There is a cost for failure."
On the governmentís response to Hurricane Katrina: "Katrina was a great failure of government; we should have done better," said Coleman, adding "The mayor and governor should have done better, too." He said he believes that the results of the last election, in which the balance of power shifted from the Republicans to the Democrats.
"I donít think the last election was about ideology," he commented.
On renewable energy: The senator said that dependence on foreign oil puts money in the pockets of "thugs" like Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. He believes American technology will provide a solution, and supports development of alternative energy sources such as cellulosic ethanol, wind, and fuel cells.
"And by the way, I do know what E-85 is," he commented.
At one time, he remarked, Minnesota had half the E-85 pumps in the country.
Coleman said he is in favor of bonding for energy-related projects.
"I would bond," said Coleman. "If you are building for the long term, you donít have to pay all at once." He said he would also be in favor of using bond payments as tax credits.
No Child Left Behind: "The general principle is unassailable," said the senator. "Itís a good concept, but the devil is in the details." He said he has discussed the legislation with many administrators, and has found that there is less resistance to the NCLB act if there is some flexibility allowed.
On the presidential race: In response to a concern from an individual who said he was "tired of the campaign that never ends," Coleman said he also was concerned that "we will have our candidate by February."
"Then itís hard to not to vote with our candidate," Coleman said.
He also expressed concern over a "permanent campaign."
In closing, Coleman emphasized that the atmosphere at the capitol is much less contentious than people believe.
"I disagree with my colleagues but I respect them," said Coleman. "The moral fiber there is stronger than you would think by reading the New York Times or the Star Tribune. People go into work every day and try to do the right thing."
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