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Norm Coleman 'exits' guv's race, provokes beat-reporter Twitter fight

By David Brauer | 01/18/10

OK, City Pages really owns the "Twitter fight!" meme around these parts, but a more-substantive-than-usual version broke out last night over Norm Coleman's news that he won't run for governor.

Shortly before Norm released his statement via Facebook, KSTP chief political reporter Tom Hauser tweeted, "Norm Coleman will NOT run for governor in 2010...He will post his announcement on Facebook at 10:30 tonight! I will post statement soon."

Channel 5's web story noted that Norm "released the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS ahead of the announcement."

KARE political reporter John Croman initially took the high road, tipping his hat (H/T) to Hauser's Twitter handle (@5hauser): "Coleman out in 2010, H/T 5hauser Norm Coleman will NOT run for governor in 2010."

But moments later, Croman meowed: "Norm leaked the news to KSTP, the station still battling hard in court to find the rest of his uncounted absentees from 2008. Just sayin'."

That provoked this counterpunch from Hauser: "Nice cheap shot. Or maybe it's because I've been covering him for 16 years...and I've been working this story."

Croman, grudgingly: "Maybe. Good get."

Then, only a few minutes later, the KARE reporter re-tweeted this comment from DFLer and former Minneapolis School Board member Peggy Flanagan: "I like what you're "just sayin', brother."

Let's just say Hauser and Croman have agreed to disagree.

There's no doubt that KSTP has aggressively pursued rejected absentee ballots, successfully suing in Ramsey County Court to get them. If expanded statewide, that ruling could show Norm got more "votes," which he's insisted upon since the election, and would be key to his political rehabilitation.

While this is a possibility, especially because pro-Norm counties rejected a higher percentage of absentee votes, I think it's unlikely for two reasons. One is that Democrats simply ran a better absentee ballot campaign in 2008; I'd wager Franken would actually gain votes if KSTP's quest goes all the way. Second, the rejected absentee ballot pool is dirty: as the Ramsey County judge noted, some voters rejected in time were allowed to re-vote validly, and you can't separate out those duplicate votes.

However, as the guy who's behind, Norm has little to lose if this story stays alive. Combine that with the fact that KSTP's owner (major Republican donor Stanley Hubbard) and lead female anchor (former Coleman communications director Cyndy Brucato) have significant Norm ties, and, well, you have griping from Democrats and rivals.

Add to that the way KSTP's Mark Albert pleased GOP operatives by making DFL Secretary of State Mark Ritchie look foolish in a recent ballot-counting report — even though judges ruled the idea of unequal absentee treatment non-nefarious, and an official later eviscerated Albert's lead-off allegation — and you can see why KSTP might be the GOP's favorite station.

Do I think Hauser might benefit from all that? Sure; sources have gone to sympathetic media outlets since the dawn of Gutenberg. But Croman is alleging a quid-pro-quo, and that's unfair to Hauser. I would note that in all my years covering media, nobody has banged down my door suggesting Hauser is biased; he's considered a straight shooter. If he says he worked the story the same way any ethical reporter did, I believe him.

Comments (4)

Submitted by Hiram Foster on January 18, 2010 - 10:50am.

The thing about Tom Hauser is that he reported months ago that Coleman would not run as opposed to other journalists around town who were reporting that Norm had no current plans to run. I know I was critical at the time that Tom seemed to be reporting events that had not occurred and decisions that had not been made, and I still think that criticism had some merit, but as it turns out Tom's predictions about Norm's future turned out to be correct, at least so far.

Submitted by Mark Gisleson on January 18, 2010 - 12:15pm.

Is it beyond the realm of the possible that just maybe Norm Coleman did have an unsavory relationship with Nasser Kazeminy, and that Coleman's finances would not withstand further scrutiny?

I have yet to read so much as a semi-plausible account of how Laurie Coleman could have possibly have "earned" $75,000 from Hays Companies.

Why is this not still a story? Rookie realtors don't get hired, let alone overpaid in a down real estate market.

Submitted by Martin Owings on January 18, 2010 - 12:30pm.

In my experience, both these guys are stand up Reporters. I've seen Hauser go after Republicans as hard as anyone...and I've seen Croman do the same regardless of the person politics. If Tom Hauser took exception it was because his reputation and character are just as important to him as they are to any Journalist whose spent his or her career gaining the public trust. John Croman added the "just sayin" at the end of his remarks, which he'd probably take back if he had it to do over again (just a guess on my part). Otherwise, calling attention to the fact KSTP is fighting to get those ballots is fair game. It should be added though that if they (KSTP) win, the ballots are fair game for any news agency the minute they become available...not after KSTP gets them, a key fact to keep in mind. In addition, KSTP and just about any other news person or pundit that followed the case, fully expects that counting those ballots will give even more votes to Franken not less. Lastly, keep in mind that these guys work within twenty feet of eachother at the Capitol. They're both pro's and big boys, they've probably already put this behind them....just sayin.

Submitted by Jeff Cagle on January 18, 2010 - 2:51pm.

I have met Tom Hauser and know he's a hard worker in the news business. I find him credible and objective to the point where he can be trusted. He doesn't sensationalize stories like other reporters at KSTP and other stations, something I would hope John Croman would have enough decency to admit.