GOP Bigwigs Holding Fundraiser For Coleman

Here's some new evidence that the national Republican Party is more than eager to keep bankrolling Norm Coleman's legal challenges to Minnesota's Senate election.

On Wednesday night, some of the highest-ranking GOP members of the Senate will be hosting a fundraiser on the Minnesota Republican's behalf. The list includes Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican Whip Jon Kyl, and NRSC Chairman John Cornyn. The event will take place at NRSC headquarters and will cost $500 (per person) to $1,000 (per PAC) to attend and $2,300 to $5,000 to host.

Propping up Coleman's legal campaign has proven a win-win for the GOP. The party continues to hold on to the possibility of picking up the seat, but they also keep Al Franken from becoming the Democrats' 59th caucusing member. And with the Minnesota election likely to remain unresolved until April or May, Franken's absence will loom large over many of the intense, filibuster-inducing legislative fights in Congress.

Coleman, it should be noted, is one of the least wealthy members of the Senate. He also happens to be mired in ethics problems that demand legal expenditures. So he needs fundraisers to keep his political career alive.