Coleman: Anyone but Franken probably wins outright

By PATRICK CONDON , Associated Press

Last update: January 22, 2009 - 5:19 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Republican Norm Coleman, who's hoping a Minnesota court will overturn Al Franken's 225-vote lead in their endless U.S. Senate race, said Thursday he thinks any other Democratic opponent than the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian would have beaten him outright on Election Day.

"I think any Democrat other than Al Franken would have been elected," Coleman told The Associated Press in an interview. "A Minnesota-bred, traditional Democratic candidate probably could have waltzed into office in this cycle."

Coleman said the economic downturn and the unpopularity of President Bush created a tough environment for Republicans, and pointed out that several Republican senators from Democratic-leaning states lost in November.

A spokeswoman for Franken didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment. Franken grew up in Minnesota, but left after high school and moved back in 2005.

Coleman's Senate term ended almost three weeks ago. He said he feels like he's "in purgatory," but he's stayed active in following and raising money for the recount and legal matters. The Republican Jewish Coalition announced Thursday it had hired Coleman as a consultant, a job he hopes will last only as long as it takes to win the recount.

"I need to pay the mortgage. I'm not part of the millionaire's club in the Senate," Coleman said. He wouldn't reveal how much he would be paid for his work.

Coleman said he hasn't given much thought to how he'll earn a living if he loses his election lawsuit, but said he's prepared if that's the case. "I'm not defined by being a senator," he said.

Coleman did say he wouldn't be interested in working as a lobbyist. The RJC, a group whose work includes lobbying Republican lawmakers, said Coleman wouldn't be doing any lobbying.

While some Coleman supporters have suggested that Franken and Democratic allies have attempted to steal the election, Coleman said he did not believe that to be the case. He said his only goal with the lawsuit is to make sure that "every vote is counted fairly."

"I think Minnesotans have a right to know that we got the result right," Coleman said. "Minnesotans always focus on getting it right."

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