September 2, 2008
Posted: 08:08 PM ET
From CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley 
Coleman is running for the Minnesota senate against Al Franken.
 The hometown boy, Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, is getting some almost-prime time exposure at the podium now. Coleman is a big GOP hero for winning a Senate seat in the 2002 race against former senator, vice president, and 1984 presidential candidate Walter Mondale. He was once a member of the Democratic Party (known in Minnesota as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party), and is a former mayor of St. Paul — the site of the this years Republican convention. Coleman currently faces a tough senate re-election race against former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken. Read Coleman's full speech after the jump
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman Good evening and welcome to Pigs Eye, Minnesota. That’s right we were called Pigs Eye until a Catholic priest built a wooden chapel a few steps from here, dedicated to Saint Paul. Although I am a Jewish person, I often reference Saint Paul, and as former mayor of the city named for him, I proudly welcome you to my city of Saint Paul. Before I begin, I want to acknowledge the families in the Gulf Region affected by Hurricane Gustav and the first responders working hard to bring aid to the region. The fact that this convention is being held in a place where neighbors help neighbors and a place that leads the nation in volunteerism and charitable giving is significant. I believe the Minnesota spirit of generosity will push us along as we expand the scope of this convention from politics to a gathering of folks who want to help our neighbors on the other end of the Mississippi. From all of us gathered here, to our friends and neighbors on the Gulf Coast, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Here we sit in the middle of a great Minnesota success story. 15 years ago, downtown Saint Paul was in trouble. Crime was rising. And downtown, we had sex shops and the nation’s only failed McDonald's. The old Civic Center on this site was falling apart while leaders of the city were holding gang summits and raising taxes. The mayor at that time asked, “I’m not indecisive… am I?” That could be an Obama campaign slogan. Conservative principles restored this city. We put a lid on taxes — never raised taxes for 8 years! We made city government a trustworthy partner to local business. We said Hope plus Confidence equals Investment and together we proved it. We added 18,000 new jobs. We planted 35,000 trees and shrubs along the Mississippi. We reduced crime. And, through a public-private partnership, we built this magnificent arena. In Minnesota, we know that big things start small. Behind me is our great Mississippi River. A few hours north of here, it’s a creek you can walk across. Yet, when it enters into the Gulf, it's miles across. From this gathering here, we'll show America a bright future, and we'll paint the entire Mississippi watershed John McCain red… and we’ll win the White House. A story is told of Thomas Jefferson riding on horseback with a group of companions, reaching a river without a bridge. Standing on the bank was a man who needed to get across. One by one, they passed him until Jefferson was alongside and the man asked, “Can you carry me across the river?” Jefferson immediately did. One of Jefferson’s men pulled the guy aside and yelled, “How dare you ask the President of the United States for a lift! You could have asked any one of us, instead you chose to bother him?” The man said, “I had no idea who he was, but your faces all said NO and his face said YES.” John McCain has a face that says, Yes. … because that's what's in his soul. He's never given in to adversity. He's never said No to a challenge. To people who demand government reform, to folks who need jobs, to families who deserve to keep more of their own money by keeping taxes low, and to those around the world who yearn for freedom John McCain has a face that says, Yes. We are the party of Lincoln who said, “America…is the last, best hope of earth.” HE was right then, he'd be right now. From North to South. From East to West. From heartland farms to big cities. Let’s offer Americans the genuine hope of change Republicans can actually deliver. May God bless you all. And in the positive spirit of a place called Pigs Eye that became Saint Paul: Welcome! Filed under: Candy Crowley • Republican National Convention |
 
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