Coleman rallies in Albert Lea
Published 12:00 am Saturday, November 2, 2002
Over 150 Republicans welcomed U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman at the Albert Lea American Legion Saturday afternoon. Coleman resumed his campaign Wednesday after putting it on hold to mourn the late Sen. Paul Wellstone.
“Minnesotans expect here, if you want something you work for it,” Coleman said referring his achievements such as creating 18,000 new jobs when he was the mayor of St. Paul. “The best welfare program is in jobs. The best housing program is in jobs. The access to healthcare is quite often through the job.”
“We created an environment where entrepreneurs and others want to invest. We kept the lid on taxes for eight years,” Coleman said. “Those folks who think that they grow jobs by raising taxes, and cut deficit by raising taxes are simply wrong.”
Coleman also emphasized his commitment to small farmers, calling them “ultimate small business,” by facilitating less regulation, opening international markets and promoting alternative bio-based fuels.
The meeting attracted the largest number of supporters in the Coleman’s several visits to Albert Lea during his campaign. State Representative Dan Dorman led the caravan on his motorcycle, and State Senator Grace Schwab had an energetic introduction speech for Coleman. Coleman’s family members including daughter Sarah, known through the recent Coleman TV advertisement series, were also present.
“If you give me next 72 hours of your life and do the things that have to be done so that we win on November 5, I will give you the finest and hardest work with a visionary leadership you haven’t seen in the United States Senate in a long, long time,” Coleman said at the end of his speech.
Coleman avoided referring to his new opponent, Democratic Party endorsed candidate Walter Mondale. But, in the Power 96 FM program he attended after the meeting, Coleman questioned the preparedness of Mondale to become the U.S. Senator.
“I’ve worked two years, traveling the state and listening the people of Minnesota, laying out the visions for new jobs, cut taxes and new opportunities in a better healthcare and better education, and taking care of prescription drugs. I’ve done that,” Coleman said. “If someone else comes in five days (before the election), regardless to who they are, the challenge for them is letting the people be certain about what their vision is for the future.”