Politico’s Ben Smith answers to the question, “How, exactly is Norm Coleman making money right now?”

Coleman has a new gig working as a consultant to the Republican Jewish Coalition, “which harshly attacked Obama last fall,” Smith writes.

RJC’s press release notes Coleman will not lobby. From Smith’s piece:

Coleman will join the group as a “consultant and strategic advisor,” and will also travel the country fundraising on the group’s behalf, [executive director Matt] Brooks said.

“It’s an opportunity for him to, now that he’s got some down time on his hands, to really help us while this case is being adjudicated,” Brooks said. “He hasn’t given up at all” on retaking the Minnesota seat.

Asked about how the group will afford Coleman, Brooks said that he hoped Coleman would boost the group’s fundraising by tapping into his own network of donors.

As a fellow member of the tribe, it’s nice to know our people take care of those in need.

Update: The DFL’s Rapid Response team notes “the RJC has been taking care of Norm Coleman for years.” They list these trips, which, by the way, were all legal:

January 31-February 2, 2003: In First Trip as Senator, Coleman Traveled from Washington, D.C. to Boca Raton, FL; Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $2,254. Less than two weeks after Coleman was sworn in, he took his first privately funded trip from Washington, D.C. to Boca Raton, Florida to be a guest speaker at the Republican Jewish Coalition conference. The Republican Jewish Coalition reimbursed Coleman for $1404.00 in transportation costs, $700.00 in lodging expenses and $150.000 in meal expenses. [Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records]

June 26-28, 2003: Coleman Traveled to Orange County and Los Angeles, CA; Orange County Republican Party of California and the Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $688.70. From June 26-28, 2003, Coleman traveled to Orange County and Los Angeles, CA to be the keynote speaker at a the Republican Party of Orange County event and two RJC events in Orange County and Los Angeles. The Orange County Republican Party of California and the Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $688.70 for Coleman’s lodging expenses. [Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records]

December 16-17, 2003: Coleman Traveled to New York, NY; Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $500. From December 16-17, 2003: Coleman traveled to New York City to be the keynote speaker at the Republican Jewish Coalition Hanukah event. The Republican Jewish Coalition reimbursed Coleman $200 for transportation and $300 for lodging expenses. [Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records]

February 19-21, 2004: Coleman Traveled to Palm Beach, FL; Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $555.40. From February 19-21, 2004, Coleman traveled to Palm Beach to be a guest speaker at the Republican Jewish Coalition winter meeting. The RJC reimbursed Coleman $405.40 for transportation and $150.00 for meal expenses. [Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records]

August 6-10, 2004: Coleman Traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel; Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $7,175. From August 6-10, 2004, Coleman traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel with the Republican Jewish Coalition. The RJC reimbursed Coleman $5,950 for transportation, $1,000 for lodging, and $225 for meal expenses. [Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records]

March 12, 2005: Coleman Traveled to West Palm Beach, FL; Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $515. On March 12, 2005, Coleman traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida to be the guest speaker for the Republican Jewish Coalition winter meeting. The RJC reimbursed Coleman $515 for transportation expenses. [Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records]

July 9-10, 2006: Coleman Traveled to Los Angeles, CA; Republican Jewish Coalition Paid $1,689.37. From July 9-10, 2006, Coleman traveled to Los Angeles to be the keynote speaker at RJC Annual summer Celebration. The RJC reimbursed Coleman for $1131.60 for transportation, $491.77 for lodging and $66.00 for meal expenses. [Secretary of the Senate Travel Records; Star Tribune, 1/21/06]