An Uphill Climb

Rachel Stassen-Berger

Pioneer Press

In his re-election fight, Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman faces some tough challenges.

Minnesotans are worried about their jobs, their homes, the cost of their health care and the war in Iraq — and may blame their incumbent representatives for those worries.

Polls show the nation rejecting President Bush's performance, and voters could link Coleman with the president he's supported.

And Democrats this year likely will have a well-known, well-funded, well-organized challenger in Senate candidate Al Franken.

"I certainly face a challenging environment, there's just no question about that," Coleman said.

In his 15-city campaign kickoff tour, he's fighting back with people like Wyatt Rech. Wyatt is a preternaturally cute 6-year-old from Montgomery who has a rare type of kidney cancer.