U.S. Senate
By Eric Ostermeier on September 20, 2007
When Democrats narrowly won a majority in the U.S. Senate in 2006, it was expected 2008 would shape up to be a fierce battle for control of that chamber. The political reality at this moment in time, however, is that Democrats nearly have as good of a chance to win...
By Eric Ostermeier on September 17, 2007
As a recent SurveyUSA poll showed Norm Coleman's lead over both Al Franken and Mike Cerisi down to low single digits, the question emerges as to whether or not the introduction of a viable third party candidate in the race could influence the outcome. In two of the past three...
By Eric Ostermeier on September 14, 2007
Republicans Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Charles Grassley of Iowa—were the first to comment on President George W. Bush's nationally televised address on Iraq. Many pundits had speculated that one of the key audiences for Bush's speech were Republican lawmakers, especially those (like Coleman), who have been critical of...
By Eric Ostermeier on September 11, 2007
In a new poll released today by Rasmussen Reports, Republican Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman now holds 5 and 4-point leads over his chief rivals—Al Franken and Mike Ciresi respectively. The poll, conducted September 6th of 500 likely voters in the Gopher State, finds Al Franken has closed the gap from...
By Eric Ostermeier on August 30, 2007
Senator Norm Coleman has taken advantage of two events this week to demonstrate to his Minnesota constituency that he is a centrist, independent voice for the state. In both cases he was critical of fellow prominent Republicans in Washington, D.C. On Monday, in response to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' resignation,...
By Eric Ostermeier on August 29, 2007
On Tuesday evening Sioux Falls hosted a "Welcome Back" celebration marking Democratic Senator Tim Johnson's birthday and return to South Dakota for the first time since nearly losing his life last December. The Senator spoke for a little more than 10 minutes and declared, "I am back," to a...
By Eric Ostermeier on August 3, 2007
Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar spearheaded federal legislation on Thursday to not only provide funds to rebuild the I-35 bridge, but also improve infrastructure problems nationwide. The Senators first called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to immediately release emergency relief funding for the I-35W bridge disaster. However,...
By Eric Ostermeier on August 2, 2007
Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar released a joint statement tonight on the tragic I-35 bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis that occurred on Wednesday evening. Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar send their thoughts and prayers to the people of Minnesota, and pledge the full...
By Eric Ostermeier on August 1, 2007
There are good reasons the Democratic Party is targeting Minnesota for one of their best chances at a pick-up in the 2008 elections for the U.S. Senate. First, Republican incumbent Norm Coleman's job approval ratings have generally been mediocre to just south of mediocre throughout most of his four...
By Eric Ostermeier on July 26, 2007
When Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate from the state of New York in the Autumn of 1999 she quickly was denounced by her political opponents as a carpetbagger—having never previously resided in New York. Ultimately, Clinton achieved a 55—44 percent victory over Republican Rick Lazio, with...
By Eric Ostermeier on July 23, 2007
Wisconsin Democratic junior Senator Russ Feingold called for the censure of President George W. Bush on Sunday. Feingold issued a press release stating he will introduce two censure resolutions condemning not only President Bush, but also Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration officials for "misconduct relating to the...
By Eric Ostermeier on July 18, 2007
In one of many votes held during a late night session on Capitol Hill Tuesday night, the U.S. Senate overwhelming passed an amendment expressing: The sense of the Senate that it is in the national security interest of the United States that Iraq not become a failed state and a...
By Eric Ostermeier on July 12, 2007
Minnesota Republican Senator Norm Coleman's position on Iraq policy could be crucial not only to the fate of Democratic-sponsored proposals in the Senate to set a firm timeline for troop withdrawal, but also in determining how much of a favorite he is to win reelection in 2008. Coleman has...
By Eric Ostermeier on July 10, 2007
While most eyes are on the wide-open presidential primary campaigns, an important fight for control of the Senate will also take place in 2008. Republicans are looking to pry back control of the Democrat's narrow majority, while Democrats seek to expand their advantage and inch closer to a 60-seat, filibuster-proof...
By Eric Ostermeier on June 29, 2007
On Thursday the United States Senate voted against cloture on the high profile immigration reform bill that divided politicians on Capitol Hill much more than the American public. Overall, a vast majority of Americans opposed the bill, advocating 'enforcement first' immigration policies, such as sealing the border, before contemplating...
By Eric Ostermeier on June 12, 2007
Republican Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman continues to part from his party leadership on the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales issue. On Monday Coleman joined 6 other Republican Senators in a failed attempt (53-38) to invoke cloture for a Senate resolution condemning the beleaguered Attorney General, who is embroiled in an...
By Eric Ostermeier on May 15, 2007
A new Minnesota Public Radio poll of 625 registered voters finds Norm Coleman maintaining 20+ point leads over both Al Franken and Mike Ciresi—the leading contenders for the DFL U.S. Senate nomination. The new poll numbers are virtually identical to a poll taken of 632 registered voters by Survey...
By Eric Ostermeier on May 14, 2007
9:45 a.m. Republican Senator Norm Coleman will be speaking on energy and politics at 10 am today at the Humphrey's Cowles Auditorium. Coleman's speech is entitled: "Building from the Center: Getting the Job Done on Renewable Energy." This is the 4th in a series of the Center for the Study...
By Eric Ostermeier on May 10, 2007
Smart Politics will be blogging live from the Humphrey Institute on Monday, May 14th, from 10:00 am to 11:15 am at Senator Norm Coleman's speech on renewable energy. The talk, sponsored by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, is entitled "Building from the Center: Getting the Job...
By Eric Ostermeier on May 1, 2007
Minnesota DFL Senator Amy Klobuchar continues to garner a strong approval rating—now four months into her tenure as junior senator from the Gopher State. The most recent SurveyUSA April poll found 58 percent of Minnesotans approve of her performance. Only 34 percent disapprove, which means most state residents have...
