Nick Coleman: Searching For Grace At Norm's Place

After 238 days of cheap shots, let's try to disagree without being disagreeable.

By NICK COLEMAN, Star Tribune

Norm Coleman was in his back yard, making a gracious but belated concession and bringing an end to one of the ugliest chapters in Minnesota campaign history. So it seemed fitting that, at that moment, an international expert in conflict resolution named Brian Polkinghorn should chance to walk past on the sidewalk, pushing a baby stroller.

I love St. Paul: You try to chat with a guy walking on the sidewalk and he turns out to be a Fulbright scholar and executive director of the Center for Conflict Resolution at Salisbury University in Maryland who has been involved in peace work in Croatia, Israel, Ireland and Nepal, and who may even have words of wisdom for Minnesotans bruised and battered by unprecedented levels of partisan conflict and irresponsible rhetoric.

Former Sen. Coleman (no relation of mine) scored a lot of feel-good points for his gentlemanly withdrawal Tuesday, but let's get real: His "gracious" exit came after 238 days of haymakers and head-butting and had all the voluntary grace of a boxer who staggers to his feet after he has been counted out and says, groggily, "OK, I give up."

Norm was repeatedly knocked out by decisions so conclusive that he was left with no hope that he could carry his challenge to the federal courts without making himself a laughingstock and damaging any delusions he has of still seeking high office in a state where he has now lost to a wrestler (Jesse Ventura) and a comedian (Al Franken).

Despite all the relieved compliments tossed Norm's way after his concession speech, enormous damage has been done to Minnesota's good name by his relentless challenge of reality -- by his loose-lipped lawyers, his angry supporters and, most cynically, by the legions of right-wing talking heads who slandered the state and its politics in trying to paint Norm Coleman as a martyr.

So, along with all his gracious sentiments on Tuesday, it might have been refreshing to hear two more words from Norm Coleman: "I'm sorry."

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