So this piece is semi-snark or what Al Franken would call "kidding on the square."  Was Norm really abused? No.  Is he living in a basement, yes.  Does he not pay rent? Sometimes.  Does he get a sweet heart deal on his garden level appartment?  Yes.  This broke a while ago so why am I writing about it because I can collect some links and have fun with it.  Also because Al is a progressive.  I follow more along the thinking of Chris and Matt over on OpenLeft in that we need people like Al Franken and Jeff Merkley to be elected far more than we need people like Kay Hagen and Ronnie Musgrove.  In addition with his horrible ad Norm has been taking some heat giving Al a chance to catch a breather from the negative press coverage.  I would guess that if a poll were done today Al would be down around 3.  He took a beating a little while ago but the Star Tibune and WCCO are focusing on Norm, who is flailing around calling CREW a Franken front group (just one example of Norms incompetence).

Norm is starting to take the heat and is floundering like a fish out of water.  Al would be a great addition to the Senate and would replace a flip-flopper like Norm.  Al communicates very well too.  He has youtube clips thanking you for the donation.  Let's take back a seat that belongs to someone who had more class in some clippings of his hair (Sen. Wellstone) from its current occupant.

Links:
http://wonkette.com/400635/is-norm-colem ans-wife-really-in-that-kitchen
http://wonkette.com/400777/senator-norm- coleman-sleeps-in-a-drawer
(those were the funny links now on to some analysis)
http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/more-questi ons-on-apartmentgate/
http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/give-me-a-b reak/
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.co m/2008/06/sen_norm_coleman_gets_cheap_re .php