10/12/2010 - Coats Lies During Nationally Televised Debate
Coats Lies During Nationally Televised Debate
Coats Denies He Negotiated Lobbying Position While in the Senate
Indianapolis – In last night’s nationally televised Indiana U.S. Senate debate, Dan Coats wasted no time putting his brand of dishonest politics on full display by lying to Hoosiers about his trip through Washington, DC’s revolving door.
During the debate, Coats denied a charge from Brad Ellsworth that the former Senator began negotiating his position at the lobbying firm Verner, Liipfert while he was still serving his last term in the United States Senate.
In a clear indication of how damaging this issue could be to Dan Coats’ candidacy he lied in an attempt to divert attention. While Coats would not leave the US Senate until January 3rd, 1999, reports of Coats’ move through the revolving door originate in an October 17, 1998 National Journal story.
The story becomes much more incriminating in a November 24, 1998 National Journal story that begins, “Retiring Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., is in final negotiations with Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson, and Hand and is expected to finalize a deal to join any day.” The Journal goes on to say that Coats and the firm “reportedly reached an agreement on most matters and are just haggling over the last details.”
Coats final day as a member of the 105th US Congress wasn’t until six weeks later, on January 3, 1999.
“This isn’t a matter of he-said, she-said. This is an open-and-shut case, and it is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dan Coats lied to Hoosiers at the debate last night,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker. “This is the type of politician we are dealing with. He had the choice to come clean, to show some semblance of integrity, but instead – realizing how damning it could be to his candidacy -- he stood behind his podium and lied about his record. How can Hoosiers expect Dan Coats to represent them if he will lie on national TV just to get elected?”
