Personally, I Prefer "Senator Smokescreen"...

...but, "The Special Interest Senator" is accurate, too!

This one, just in:

Saint Paul [08/28/08] – The Al Franken for Senate campaign today called on Norm Coleman (R – Pharma) to return $15,000 in PAC contributions from McKesson Corp.

Yesterday, the Star Tribune reported that McKesson is the target of a national class action suit, represented in Minnesota by Anoka County, over a scheme to artificially inflate prices charged to taxpayers for drugs provided to inmates and juveniles in detention centers.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

"Norm Coleman's close ties to the pharmaceutical industry are troubling enough. Now we find that one of his major donors has been cheating Minnesota taxpayers by fixing drug prices. It's time for the Special Interest Senator to do something uncharacteristic: stand with Minnesotans instead of his corporate cronies and get rid of their tainted contributions. Minnesota taxpayers shouldn't subsidize corporate greed, and Norm Coleman shouldn't let that money end up in his campaign account."

Coleman has taken more money from the pharmaceutical industry than any other politician in Minnesota history.

LINK TO STORY:

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/27510724.html

Coleman Has Taken Almost $330,000 From The Pharmaceutical Industry; More Than Any Member Of Congress In Minnesota. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Coleman's campaigns have accepted $329,567 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceuticals/health products industry. Coleman has accepted more campaign contributions from the pharmaceuticals/health products industry than any other current or former Member of Congress from Minnesota. [Center for Responsive Politics, Accessed 8/28/08 – Senate Contributions, House Contributions]

2002: Coleman Took $5,000 In Campaign Contributions From McKesson Corporation PAC. According to the Federal Election Commission, Coleman accepted a $5,000 contribution from the McKesson Corporation PAC August 16th, 2002. [Federal Election Commission, accessed 8/27/08]

2007: Coleman Took $10,000 In Campaign Contributions From McKesson Corporation PAC. According to the Federal Election Commission, Coleman accepted a $5,000 contribution from the McKesson Corporation PAC on May 29th, 2007, and another $5,000 contribution on May 30th, 2007. [Federal Election Commission, accessed 8/27/08]

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And yes, for those paying attention, that's the press release, in it's entirety. Well, not the header, but the body. Yes, in it's entirety.

I got stuff to do today, and this one simply speaks for itself....besides, I kinda like the "Special Interests Senator" line.....