After six years in the Senate, Norm Coleman can't (or won't) answer simple questions

How hard is it to answer a simple questions? Very hard for Minnesota's Republican Senator Norm Coleman. He really is a smarmy character. Always has been.

One question Coleman won't answer is whether a really rich friend bought clothes for Coleman and his wife at Neiman Marcus. Is it that hard a question? I tend to remember who bought me clothes. Why won't Norm Coleman give a "yes or no" answer to a "yes or no" question. Harper's Ken Silverstein asked the questions and still doesn't have the answer:

I’ve been told by two sources that [Minnesota businessman Nasser Kazeminy, a big donor to the G.O.P. and to Coleman] has in the past covered the bills for Coleman’s lavish clothing purchases at Nieman Marcus in Minneapolis. The sources were not certain of the dates of the purchases; if they were made before Coleman joined the Senate in 2003, he obviously would not be required to report it under senate rules. But having a private businessman pay for your clothing is never a good idea if you’re a public official (Coleman was mayor of St. Paul from 1994 to 2002).

Kazeminy did not respond to a request for comment. I’ve been trying unsuccessfully since last week to get Coleman’s press office to give me a direct answer about the matter.

Here’s my most recent email exchange (with a few typos cleaned up):

My email to LeRoy Coleman:

Wanted to run this by you one last time: Two sources have told me that Nasser Kazeminy has paid for clothing for Senator Coleman and his wife at Nieman Marcus… Seems like a pretty straightforward question, and [I] was hoping I could get a response to it. If it’s not accurate, please let me know. [I] am planning to write an item about this over next day or two; if Senator Coleman disputes the accounts I have heard, I would like to know.

Coleman’s response:

As required, any gift Norm Coleman has received from his friends has been fully reported.

To Coleman:

Sorry to be so persistent, and maybe I’m missing something here, but I am still hoping you can just give me a direct “yes or no” answer: Has Nasser Kazeminy paid for clothing for Senator Coleman and/or his wife at Nieman Marcus? If, so, when were the purchases made? Was he already in the Senate [then], or was it prior to his joining the Senate? Saying he’s reported any gifts “as required” does not necessarily mean Kazeminy has not paid for Coleman’s purchases at Nieman.

Coleman’s response:

As required, any gift Norm Coleman has received from his friends has been fully reported.

Still waiting for a “yes” or a “no.” I’ll update this post if I receive any further response.

Then, watch this video of Coleman's press secretary who can't answer the simple question of whether Coleman supports John McCain's health care plan. This isn't a hard one -- or shouldn't be:


Al Franken is, of course, the Democratic candidate.