So said Coleman spokesman Tom Steward, in late June. And here’s the whole quote:

“As the senator indicated to the National Journal and further articulated last Friday, he is paying fair market value for his cramped bedroom in a basement of a home in D.C. As our research shows, this rent is comparable to other rent in the D.C. area,” Steward said. (emphasis added)(Star Tribune)

Now, keep in mind that all along, Team Smokescreen has been claiming, and again I’ll quote from a story just yesterday:

Sheehan noted that Coleman allowed National Journal and Star Tribune reporters to see his living quarters. “The senator has been incredibly transparent, honest and open about this entire situation,” he said.(Star Tribune)

Yeah, “right.” If Team Smokescreen has been so “incredibly transparent”, just where is that “research” that “shows” the rent is “comparable”??!?

Ladies and Gentlemen, that story where Team Smokescreen claims “our research shows” was published on June 30th – it is now August 15th.

It’s put up or shut up time for Team Smokescreen’s claim that “our research shows” – they either got it and it shows it, or they’re lying.

(originally published at MnBlue.com)