Wining and whoring with Norm in the Napa Valley--for $10,000

[Minnesota Raindog]

I thought prostitution was illegal in Minnesota, but I guess not if it comes in the form of a political solicitation from Norm Coleman. In this fund-raising letter sent out last year, Norm whores himself out for $10,000 PAC contributions or $4,200 per individual contribution, offering trips to the Napa Valley, the Twin Cities (and a tour of Xcel Energy!) or Brainerd (Brainerd?) to the fattest of his fat-cat contributors:

http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/files/Coleman0001.pdf

Actually, the letter doesn't even say that Norm will be present for these events. But it also guarantees the donor's attendance at five D.C. events "honoring Senator Coleman" and one private event with up to five guests.

The letter was faxed to Washington lobbyists, PACs and trade associations.

http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/node/1865

Nice to know you can still buy access to your U.S. Senator--and he'll put it in writing. Maybe Norm should have his Hollywood wife do the soliciting:

[dflprincess]

1. Why is a Minnesota senator offering tours of Napa Valley?

n/t

[Minnesota Raindog]

2. That's something you might want to ask Norm

Or his surrogate over at MDE.

[Mnpaul]

3. Is this an indicator that Norm is having trouble fundraising?

We will give you a trip, please donate.

[Minnesota Raindog]

4. Here's another example of Norm Coleman's prostitution of his Senate office

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/15/bill_allen_fishing/


MELANIE SLOAN: If you are in Washington, it's hard to get more than a few minutes at a time with a senior member of Congress -- whereas if you're suddenly seated next to them on a fishing boat in Alaska, you'll have hours and hours of time. You may not mention the legislative issue you need help with, but you are building a relationship.

Sloan says the access these fishing trips offer oil executives like Allen is priceless, but:

SLOAN: Members of Congress are only spending this much time with someone like Bill Allen for the money.

Allen gave a lot of campaign money to Stevens, the powerful chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Stevens also used Allen's money to help elect fellow Republicans, and then drew them into a circle that included loyal allies like Allen.

The experience of Norm Coleman shows this process in action, and the risks of these relationships: In the summer of 2002, Stevens and Allen worked together to pump more than $100,000 into hard-fought Senate races. Coleman, in Minnesota, got close to $25,000 from Stevens -- including a bundle of contributions from Alaskans dominated by Allen's company.

Coleman won, and a few months later Stevens invited him to Alaska for a fishing trip. Coleman took his son, and returned for three straight years.

Cultivating a close relationship with Stevens, who controlled billions in federal spending, was an important part of Coleman's job. But accepting these free trips carried a risk, says Merideth MeGehee at the Campaign Legal Center.