Al Franken has been smeared by the Republicans, smeared by their minions and taken a tremendous amount of heat from just about everybody for his tax problems. Despite that, Norm hasn't taken a commanding lead. A 7% lead is not commanding. Not this far out from the election. And its not like Minnesotans suddenly like Norm a whole lot more.

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman has a job approval rating in the danger zone for an incumbent seeking reelection, but nevertheless is running ahead of his key DFL rivals in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race.

A new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll found that registered voters back Coleman over DFLers Al Franken and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, both of whom are vying for the party endorsement at next month's DFL convention. Coleman leads Franken by 7 percentage points -- 51 percent to 44 percent -- and is ahead of Nelson-Pallmeyer by 15 points -- 53 percent to 38 percent.
(Star Tribune)

However, the sidebars provide just a few crucial details that the Strib fails to mention. Such as 64% say that Al's tax problems don't matter to them. Funny how these interesting little bits don't get mentioned. Great picture of Norm with Dick Cheney, btw.

It's also interesting to note that the first article didn't contain the sidebars with all the details. This was in another article altogether. What's up with that?

Only 45% approve of the job Norm is doing and a full quarter of those polled didn't know or refused to answer. That's indicates it is possible that one quarter of Minnesotans haven't decided if they like the job Norm is doing. Since Norm cannot run on his record of strong support for President Bush's failed policies, it is likely that these 25% will not be swayed by Norm-speak^TM. This is good news for those of us who want Norm to get "the change he deserves."

Also, 45% of those polled indicated they thought that Norm "tends to change his mind to gain political advantage." I don't think its much of a stretch speak in plain English and tag him as a flip-flopper. As voters find out how much like Grandpa McSame he is ... he'll say anything if he thinks it'll improve his chances of winning ... his chances decrease.''

This is why I write the Norm Coleman Weasel Meter. Norm is trying to protray himself as an environmentalist now. As a strong, moderate voice on the home foreclosure crisis. As a proponent of oversight in Iraq. As a champion on healthcare reform. It's all Norm-speak^TM.

71% of Dems and 67% of independents aren't bothered by Al's tax problems. It also doesn't surprise my that half of Republicans aren't bothered -- there's no chance in hell that they'd vote for him anyway. I think its hilarious that about 43 or so people people (4%) said it made them more likely to vote for him ... even considering that a couple of them had to be Republicans.

A great follow up question for the Dems who answered that they'd be less likely to support Al would be "would you be supporting Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer over Al Franken for endorsement or would you actually be switching from Franken to Norm Coleman?" It's just my guess, but I think that only a couple would actually switch to Norm.

You can read the entire sidebar here while the Strib keeps the link alive or here after their link is dead.

Here's the gratuitous photo of Dick n Norm ... don't vomit in your mouth.

(taken by Alex Wong of Getty Images)