Coleman Touts Bipartisan Appeal at Campaign Launch

Rachel Stassen-Berger

Pioneer Press

 Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman on Wednesday asked for another term in the same way he asked for his first — by pledging to bring people together to get things done.

In his formal campaign kick-off speech in St. Paul, he pitched himself as a "proud Republican" who crosses party lines when needed.

"With Norm Coleman, bringing people together to get things done is what you see and what you get," Coleman said in a packed rally at his campaign headquarters.

After the rally, he left for a four-day statewide tour dubbed "Bringing Minnesota Together." In 2002, when he ran against the late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone, he announced his campaign saying he would cross party lines, cast aside partisan bickering and work with President Bush.