Commentary: More Questions Than Answers Over Odd Coleman Bill
by Scott Wente, St. Paul Bureau
Detroit Lakes Tribune (MN) - 09/26/2008

ST. PAUL -- In the world of politics, the public often needs to hear
straight from government officials involved before understanding and
forming an opinion on a particular issue.

Silence can breed skepticism, sometimes unwarranted.

Take the example of a recent news tip about little-known legislation
authored two years ago by U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman. The Minnesota
Republican wanted to spend $40 million to help teach children basic
first aid.

“This legislation gives us the opportunity to support an initiative
that can truly pay dividends down the road by giving the American
people the training and tools to help other citizens in times of
emergencies,” Coleman wrote in 2006, after a streamlined version of
his proposal – without funding attached – passed as part of a
Department of Homeland Security bill.

On its surface, the episode hardly deserves a skeptical look: A
lawmaker proposes using tax dollars to fund organizations that teach
first aid to youth. And the program did not get started because
Homeland Security officials said Congress did not provide needed
funds.

Supposedly, that was the end of it. The feds and Coleman moved on to
other pressing matters.

Yet, reporting yielded interesting facts. An emergency training
organization with a controversial leader claimed it sought the
legislation, had Coleman’s support and expected to reap funding from
the program. That organization, Save A Life Foundation, operates out
of Illinois and while it administers training in a number of states,
has little affiliation with Minnesota.

Additionally, there was no detailed explanation for why the Coleman-
backed program deemed important enough to pass Congress never got off
the ground. And, perhaps most interesting to taxpayers, it was not
clear whether Coleman or federal officials worked to prevent Save A
Life from getting public money once it became embroiled in controversy
months later.

Calls were made, including to the foundation, Homeland Security
officials and Coleman’s office. Some questions came to mind, for which
the answers might have promptly dispelled any speculation that
something strange had occurred:

-- Did Coleman author the legislation with the foundation in mind?

-- Since lawmakers like to talk about how they help their
constituents, did Coleman believe Minnesota children could benefit
from the legislation?

-- Did Coleman or federal officials make sure Save A Life did not get
federal funds after news reports suggested the group’s leadership had
made false claims? Certainly that itself would be newsworthy,
particularly given the public’s interest in congressional spending.

Homeland Security officials responded to an initial inquiry, but
clammed up when asked about Save A Life Foundation. There was nothing
more to discuss, they said.

The foundation’s leader, Carol Spizzirri, would not return repeated
calls.

Even the office of Coleman's Democratic opponent, Al Franken, had
heard of Save A Life Foundation but refused to talk about the issue.

Surely Coleman, a Republican locked in a fierce re-election battle,
would be willing to explain the issue.

The senator’s press secretary, LeRoy Coleman (no relation to the
senator), said the proposed program was benign and, as happens
occasionally, just never got off the ground. He said liberals were
trying to smear Coleman by suggesting a connection between the senator
and the controversial Save A Life Foundation.

The spokesman would not grant an interview with Coleman, arguing there
was no legitimate story because nothing unusual happened.

That may be, but it’s hard for the public to decide that when left
with so many unanswered questions.

@2008 Forum Communications