There’s an interesting mini-scandal erupting in the Minnesota Senate race between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Council-backed Democratic challenger Al Franken.
Ken Silverstein reported in Harper’s this week that Minnesota businessman Nasser Kazeminy, a big donor to the G.O.P. and to Coleman, “has in the past covered the bills for Coleman’s lavish clothing purchases at Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis.”
After a few blogs picked up the story, the Coleman campaign was forced to address the matter in a press conference. Lucky for those of us who like to watch a campaign flack squirm, somebody recorded the whole thing.
God, that was brutal (h/t Yglesias). But Coleman is playing off the same sheet of music, as you can see here:
(h/t brownsox)
Senate rules stipulate that gifts over $250 are strictly prohibited. Which leaves one to wonder: What exactly can you buy at Neiman Marcus for under $250?