Coleman prepares to announce Senate re-election bid

ST. PAUL (AP) U.S. Senator Norm Coleman officially launches his re-election bid with a rally at his campaign offices in St.

Paul today.

Coleman, a former Democrat turned Republican, edged former Vice President Walter Mondale to win his seat in the Senate six years ago. Mondale was the Democrats' last-minute replacement after incumbent Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash.

This time, Coleman is trying to turn the spotlight back on Democrat Al Franken, the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian and radio host.

Franken is heavily favored to be the Democratic nominee. Coleman has criticized some of the more outrageous or profane things Franken has said or written in years of comedy routines and liberal commentary.

Franken defends his previous work as that of a satirist.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-26-08 0559CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list