A group of Republican senators wrote to their colleagues Friday urging them to support Sen. Norm Coleman to become the next chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The Committee's Web site says "It is our sole responsibility to make sure that Republican Senate candidates are elected to the United States Senate."
The letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press, cites Coleman's fund-raising and political abilities as reasons he should be chosen. On Nov. 17 Republican senators will choose between Coleman, R-Minn., and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C.
The letter was signed by seven senators on Coleman's "whip team," who work to round up support for Coleman: former Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Larry Craig of Idaho, Jim Talent of Missouri and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia.
"Norm has proven that he can raise serious money for the Republican Party from traditional and nontraditional sources," the senators wrote, citing Coleman's fund-raisers and contributions from his political action committee.
The group also argued that Coleman has the "political instincts" to win the battleground states that will have Senate races in 2006, primarily in the West, Midwest and Northeast. They cited Coleman's background as a native New Yorker and former Democrat who defeated former Vice President Walter Mondale in his own race in 2002.
Coleman chief of staff Erich Mische declined to provide the number of senators in Coleman's corner, but said, "The support is wide and it's deep."
Dole spokesman Brian Nick also declined to put a number on Dole's support.
"It's a leadership race, and it's going to be decided by the Republican senators, and not played out in the media," he said.
By Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press Writer
On the Net: National Republican Senatorial Committee
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
|
Check out our KARE family of Web sites: |
|||
 |
takeKARE | |
Metromix |
| |
Moms Like Me | |
Minnesota Bound |
| |
Showcase Minnesota | ||
|
|
|||
