Put up or shut up, Norm

Several Democratic officials held a press conference on the State Capitol steps to denounce Sen. Norm Coleman's (R-MN) baseless attacks on Al Franken. Norm is blaming Al for the lawsuit in Texas courts that allege a major Republican donor and personal friend channeled money to Norm through his wife. Rep. Keith Ellison, House Majority Leader Margaret Anderson Kelliher, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, Asst. Majority Leader Sen. Tarryl Clark and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman appeared (Mpls Mayor RT Rybak had to cancel, he's sick).

Keith Ellison was the most blunt. He insisted Norm either "put up or shut up." Margaret Anderson-Kelliher reminded the press that Governor Tim Pawlenty agrees with numerous news organizations that Norm doesn't have any proof. Mayor Coleman insisted that Norm either "prove his allegations or take the ad down and apologize."

Rebecca Otto was first.

“As difficult as this situation may be for Norm Coleman, accusing Al Franken and Democrats of wrongdoing — when he has produced absolutely evidence to support that claim — is straight out of Karl Rove’s playbook. Norm Coleman must either back it up with evidence or apologize to the people of Minnesota.”

Margaret was next.

“This morning, Governor Pawlenty took Al Franken at his word, agreeing with the seven independent news organizations that have found that Franken has nothing to do with the serious allegations that have been leveled against Senator Coleman. And I agree with the governor: this election should be about jobs, taxes and the economy. Senator Coleman, however, has once again attempted to distract Minnesotans from these pressing issues with an utterly baseless attack on Al Franken, who has been connecting with them on solutions to fixing the economy and restoring middle-class prosperity.

“I call on Senator Coleman to stop with the last-minute antics and, if he cannot prove his claim that Al Franken had something to do with these lawsuits, to pull his ad down. There are only two days left for Minnesotans to make an informed decision, so Senator Coleman must level with them now about what has really happened here.”

Sen. Tarryl Clark was after Margaret.

“This advertisement is beneath the dignity of a United States senator. If Norm Coleman has any evidence whatsoever that his political opponents had anything to do with this lawsuit, let him produce that evidence immediately. Otherwise, he must immediately pull the ad down, apologize, publicly retract his threatened lawsuit and above all, come clean with Minnesotans about the serious charges contained in the sworn affidavit.

“This campaign has been a slugfest, but that slugfest does not justify hitting below the belt, as Norm Coleman has done here.”

Mayor Chris followed:

“Norm Coleman put an ad on TV yesterday claiming Al Franken is behind the lawsuit alleging that Nasser Kazeminy tried to funnel $100,000 to Senator Coleman. But Senator Coleman hasn't produced a shred of evidence to tie Al to this lawsuit.

“Senator Coleman is falsely accusing Al Franken of involvement in this sordid matter. This is a blatant attempt to muddy the waters on the eve of the election, and Norm either needs to prove his allegations, or take the ad down and apologize.”

Finally, Keith had this to say:

“To all appearances, Coleman got caught with his hand seriously in the cookie jar, and is now desperately trying to deflect blame by smearing Al Franken. If Coleman has proof that Al has any involvement in the lawsuit, he needs to put up or shut up. He should produce it immediately for the public to see. But if has no proof to produce — as seems clearly to be the case — he should take the ad down and issue an apology to Al Franken and the citizens of Minnesota. Coleman, who has already waged a gutter campaign, has now sunk to an astonishing new low.”