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ST. PAUL (AP) Minnesota Democrats are offering a big cash prize to anyone who snaps a picture of Norm Coleman and President Bush together at the upcoming Republican National Convention.

They say Coleman has been avoiding the unpopular president this year.

The prize? It's $532.88. That just happens to be the amount that Coleman's Washington landlord says the Republican paid for a year's worth of utilities. Democrats charge Coleman got a sweetheart deal on his D.C. digs.

Republicans aren't content to let Democrats corner the market on gimmicky contests. In response, they're dangling a $25 gift card for gas to anyone who can get Al Franken's accountant to explain errors in Franken's tax filings prior to 2003.

The accountant for the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate has avoided talking to the press about the former comedian's tax problems.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-20-08 1530CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list