Kerry stumps for Coleman, focuses on city's future

[Mass]

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/breaking_news/12866619.htm



Former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry visited St. Paul today to stump for the city's DFL mayoral contender, 13 months after the city's Democratic mayor endorsed Kerry's Republican opponent.

Kerry spoke to more than 700 supporters of former City Council Member Chris Coleman at Macalester College's Kagin Commons this morning, saying, "I'm not here to campaign against anyone.

"We're here to talk about the future of this city... We need to throw away our labels. Throw away being a Democrat or being a Republican," he told them. "Just think about the policies, think about what's important to this city and important about its future."

Kerry didn't mention Mayor Randy Kelly by name. Kelly campaigned across the state for the re-election of George Bush last year — unsuccessfully here, it turned out. Kerry won the election in Minnesota by more than 98,000 votes last fall, and took St. Paul by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, despite the mayor's endorsement.

Kerry, though, took pains to touch on local issues, mentioning some of Coleman's efforts on the city council, such as fighting for preservation of the historic Coney Island building, which had been threatened with demolition in a proposed expansion of the nearby St. Paul Cos. insurance headquarters.

The Massachusetts sentator also made reference to the controversial decommissioning of one of the city's fire engines, near University and Vandalia.

"We shouldn't be closing down fire stations in America and opening them in Baghdad," Kerry told the crowd.

Coleman, who won a resounding first-place finish in the September primary. sounded familiar campaign themes in his remarks to the crowd, saying Kelly's proposed street fee plan contradicted his claim to be keeping the city affordable.

Coleman also criticized Kelly for staying out of the 2002 senatorial race. Kelly said last month that he hadn't backed the Democratic incumbent, Paul Wellstone, because Wellstone hadn't endorsed him.

"Leadership isn't about what people can do for you," Coleman said. "It's about what you can do for people."

Tim Nelson can be reached at 651-292-1159 or [e-mail]

[Mass]

1. Kerry stumps for Coleman in St. Paul mayoral race

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5661073.html

Kerry stumps for Coleman in St. Paul mayoral race
Jackie Crosby, Star Tribune
October 11, 2005 KERRY1011


The St. Paul mayor's race landed squarely on the national scene Monday as U.S. Sen. John Kerry came to town to stump for former City Council Member Chris Coleman -- and send a message to incumbent DFL Mayor Randy Kelly that backing president Bush in 2004 was no small matter.

Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who lost to Bush last year, fired up a partisan crowd of more than 750 at Kagin Commons at Macalester College in a speech that focused on safe streets and strong schools. The event was billed as free and open to the public but organizers asked for a $20 donation.

...

"What happens here in St. Paul is important to the country, important in building towards 2006; important to fixing the problems we have nationally, because all the voices in this country have to be raised together to fight for the things that really make a difference to the quality of our lives and define us as Americans," Kerry said in a 15-minute address to local and state DFL officials, union activists, neighborhood leaders and students.

...

Kerry's visit is designed to raise money for the St. Paul DFL Party and stump for DFL-endorsed candidates. He received a warm welcome in a city where nearly three-quarters of voters, 73 percent, wanted to see him in the White House.

At the rally, gave a variation of his usual stump speech, saying Kelly's cozying up to the Republicans has done little to help St. Paul. He called for greater utilization of rec centers and full funding for firefighteres.

"Senator Kerry, when we reclaim the city of St. Paul, we'll help you reclaim our country," Coleman said.

...

Jackie Crosby is at [e-mail]

[TayTay]

2. He really is going to out-work the other possibles.

LOL! I said last fall that when New Englanders fail at something, the first thing you do is go out and find a way to 'work harder.' Well, I really think Kerry is doing that. He is appearing at these events for 'smaller' races. Wow! He really is working harder. (Where doe s he get the energy?)