Norm Coleman in Sam's Club Republican, by J. A. McClure


On Principles & Values: 2002: Supported by Bush & Cheney against Pawlenty

A Senate seat was open in the 2002 election, and there was frenzied speculation in Republican circles over who should run for what (including the Governorship). Party activists in December 2000 drafted Pawlenty for the Senate seat.

Meanwhile, Norm Coleman also wavered between the two options before announcing his candidacy for the Senate in April 2001, citing this "budding relationship" with George W. Bush and "strong encouragement" he received from the White House. Pawlenty, pushed aside by Coleman's decision, said he felt like "a piece on the chessboard." In the span of a few months, the duo went from potentially battling for the governor's office to battling for the Senate seat.

Pawlenty's plans changed when he received a personal phone call from Dick Cheney on behalf of President Bush. According to Pawlenty, Cheney told him to "stand down" and let Coleman run uncontested "for the good of the overall effort." Pawlenty agreed to withdraw. Pawlenty didn't hide his disappointment.

Source: Sam's Club Republican, by J.A. McClure, p. 19-20 May 10, 2010

The above quotations are from Governor Tim Pawlenty:
The Sam's Club Republican
,
by J. A. McClure.
Click here for other excerpts from Governor Tim Pawlenty:
The Sam's Club Republican
,
by J. A. McClure
.
Click here for other excerpts by Norm Coleman.
Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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