Coleman campaign ramps up behind the scenes

Mark Zdechlik

Minnesota Public Radio

Lake Elmo, Minn. — On Saturday afternoon, Coleman had a banquet room full of Republicans enthusiastically applauding him as he talked about cutting taxes and fighting the war on terrorism.

The event at a restaurant in Lake Elmo was billed as Coleman's Washington County campaign kick-off.

Coleman acknowledged GOP problems such as mishandling the war in Iraq and overspending at home. But he also took several shots at Democrats, ripping them on national security and on taxes.