I look at life from both sides now..

Norm Coleman is doing his best Judy Collins impersonation.

Every Republican in the Senate and House was able to see right through the lame attempt by Media Matters and the democrats to smear Rush Limbaugh.

Every Republican.

Except Norm Coleman:

Limbaugh Critic Argues Against Fairness Doctrine

By Fred LucasCNSNews.com Staff Writer
October 05, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.), the only Republican senator to criticize conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh - and who faces a 2008 challenge for his seat from failed liberal talk radio host Al Franken - warned against government regulation of talk radio on Thursday.

However, he did not retract his criticism of Limbaugh.

The issue of the Fairness Doctrine was raised again this week as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other Democrats took to the Senate floor to blast Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" comment.

It appears that Coleman is petrified of offending any Minnesota voter, whether left or right; and continually attempts to take both sides of the issue:

In a written statement on Monday, when the Limbaugh flap exploded on Capitol Hill, Coleman said: "Limbaugh's suggestion that those who have served their country and express their opinions are 'phony soldiers' is wrong. There needs to be a level of civility and honest debate in this country about issues as important as this."

Coleman also compared Limbaugh's statement to the liberal MoveOn.org's controversial ad calling Gen. David Petreus , commander of the Multi-National Force in Iraq, "Gen. Betray Us."

"Labeling an active duty general a traitor, or calling a soldier a phony for having a different opinion does not rise to the level of discourse we hold ourselves to in this country," said Coleman.

Yet,

On Thursday, Coleman acknowledged that Limbaugh may have been talking about one individual rather than every veteran opposed to the war, but Coleman did not retract his criticism. "My point about that, not what did Rush say, what he didn't say, I'm very clear about this," said Coleman, when speaking at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., Thursday.

"I think we need to elevate the level of debate. The MoveOn thing was absolutely clear and explicit. It was calling the commander-in-chief of our armed forces in a time of war a traitor. It clearly crossed the line, and folks understood that," he added.

"What was originally reported with Rush in his comment, my first reaction was if those are his comments, it's wrong," said Coleman.

"Rush has clarified, but my point is still the same point. I think we just need to do better, I think we need to rise above the level of debate. Here's a legitimate concern about an individual, if they were a legitimate soldier. That's a different issue. But again, I think we need to do better," he said.

Since when is it inappropriate to label Jesse MacBeth, a wash-out of basic after only 40+ days and an Army Ranger impostor, a "fake soldier," Mr. Coleman? Should MacBeth have been labeled a "real" soldier? What would be the "better" term that you'd use?

Norm Coleman appears to be so petrified of losing any votes that he's finding it difficult to take a principled stand on any controversial issue. His continued attempts at placating both sides via rhetorical left and right switchbacks aren't gaining him any friends on the left, and certainly aren't serving to light any fires of support on the right.

To utilize Coleman's own verbiage, "I think we need to do better."

Physician, heal thyself.