ST. PAUL -- Many Minnesota politicos theorized that U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman pushed hard to land the 2008 Republican National Convention to give him a better chance at becoming a vice presidential -- or even presidential -- candidate.
Forget that, Coleman said last week.
"I am not going to be a running mate -- definitely not," the first-term Republican senator said in response to a Forum Communications question.
As if to punctuate the comment, he later added: "It's not in the realm of possibility."
The 57-year-old former Democratic mayor of St. Paul could change his mind -- it has been known to happen in politics. But probably not. Still, the convention brings with it the possibility of giving Coleman the boost he needs to keep his Senate seat and to further increase what is a surprisingly high profile for a freshman senator.
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Coleman is up for re-election in 2008 in a race being discussed even before the 2006 election campaigns are over.
In a visit to the Capitol pressroom after returning from Washington, Coleman made what at first seemed to be a surprising comment: He thinks he will be the country's most vulnerable U.S. senator in the 2008 election. Upon reflection, there are at least three factors that would influence his statement:
n First, and most cynical, it was a good comment to make so Coleman could lower expectations. If he displays that attitude, he has a better chance of getting supporters to work harder. If they think he is a cinch to win a second term, they may not be as willing.
n Second, Coleman pointed out that that most other Republicans are in safer districts for the party. Minnesota, of course, is pretty evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and if Democrats don't see a good chance to win other seats, national Democrats are likely to pour money into Minnesota to beat him.
n Third, Al Franken is piling up the bucks in his bid for the Democratic nomination. Coleman likes to say they are "Hollywood dollars," but it doesn't matter where they come from -- they all spend the same.
A fourth reason that Coleman is vulnerable is one he would not buy. However, most Democrats and some Republicans think Coleman spends too little time in Minnesota and working on Minnesota causes while in Washington.
If Franken is his Democratic opponent, that argument would carry little weight since Franken only recently returned to his home state and he is better known for his comments -- and jokes -- about national issues. However, if a long-time Minnesota Democrat represents that party, Coleman may have to work hard defending his Minnesota connection.
During a chat with political reporters last week, Coleman spent most of the time discussing national issues. He did hit hard the need to increase ethanol use, including turning sugar beets into the fuel, but he concentrated on national matters.
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Minnesotans know Coleman is a congressional delegate to the United Nations and they hear about his subcommittee investigations into a variety of international and national issues. However, they hear much less about what he does for Minnesota. That is something a Democratic opponent is bound to exploit.
Coleman could use the convention to help his re-election bid and his visibility in general. That already is happening.
The Washington Times, for instance, extensively quoted him after the Sept. 27 announcement that the GOP would meet in the Twin Cities in September of 2008.
"Republicans will choose their presidential nominee in the heart of the heartland -- the Twin Cities will host the Republican National Convention, which says Republicans care about the Midwest," the newspaper quoted him as saying.
Such comments won't gain him any Democratic votes, but being seen as the man who brought the convention to Minnesota is sure to energize his supporters. In a close election, as we probably will see in 2008, that could decide who wins.
St. Paul Bureau Chief Don Davis can be reached at ddavis@wctrib.com .
