Sen. Norm Coleman's Call for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Resignation Turns into Political Milestone

Strategic Insights -

Sen. Norm Coleman's high-profile investigation of the UN's oil-for-food program, which operated in Iraq, has garnered him a huge national profile, turning his call for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's resignation into a political milestone. As chairman of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Coleman continues the tradition of his predecessors, including Robert F. Kennedy and Joseph McCarthy, in bringing national prominence to the panel's investigations. The committee's findings, which included the program netting Saddam Hussein billions of dollars in illegal profits, have been endorsed by Democrats on the committee, including Sen. Mark Dayton of Minnesota.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sen. Norm Coleman's investigation into the UN's oil-for-food program has reached a high level of national prominence, with his call for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's resignation becoming a significant political moment.
  • Coleman's chairmanship of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which has a wide mandate to investigate almost any topic, allows him a significant amount of personal discretion and public visibility.
  • The committee's investigation found that the oil-for-food program netted Saddam Hussein billions of dollars in illegal profits, a find that was endorsed by Democrats on the committee.
  • Only two other senators and five House members - all Republicans - have publicly backed Coleman's move, while the world reaction has been largely negative, with Annan receiving a standing ovation in the UN General Assembly.
  • Coleman maintains that he has no intention of weakening the UN, but rather believes that calling for Annan's resignation is the right thing to do.
  • Despite the controversy, Coleman's national fundraising base appears to be energized by the issue, with his decision to publish his call in the Wall Street Journal indicating his focus on a national audience.

Statistics:

  • Coleman's call for Annan's resignation has generated unprecedented international media attention for any Minnesota politician in recent times.
  • According to University of Minnesota historian Hy Berman, the level of media coverage is comparable to that of presidential runs by Minnesotans Harold Stassen, Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy, and Walter Mondale.
  • The White House has distanced itself from Coleman's call for Annan's resignation, with John Danforth, the US ambassador to the UN, stating that "We have worked well with [Annan] in the past and look forward to working with him for some time in the future."
  • The UN's oil-for-food program netted Saddam Hussein billions of dollars in illegal profits, according to the committee's findings.
  • The total number of Republicans backing Coleman's move is five, all of whom are members of the House of Representatives.
  • The total number of Democrats endorsing the oil-for-food investigation is one, Sen. Mark Dayton of Minnesota.

Sources:

  • "Sen. Norm Coleman's call for UN chief's resignation turns into milestone" by Kevin Diaz, Washington, D.C.
  • John Danforth, US ambassador to the UN, statement to the press.
  • Hy Berman, University of Minnesota historian, interview with Kevin Diaz.
  • David Schultz, professor of American politics at Hamline University in St. Paul, interview with Kevin Diaz.
  • Donald Ritchie, associate historian of the US Senate Historical Office, interview with Kevin Diaz.
  • Tim Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation, statement to CNN.
  • Sen. Mark Dayton, statement to the press.
  • Sen. Norm Coleman, statement to the press.