Minnesotans need a senator who will stand up for them - not the special interests

SAINT PAUL [08/05/08] - Today’s strong debate performance demonstrated that Al Franken is ready to bring change to Washington as a United States Senator.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Al Franken kept this debate focused on the issues - the economy, energy prices, farm policy - and on Norm Coleman’s record of selling out the middle class . That’s how Al won the debate, and that’s how we’ll win this election.”

Franken discussed his vision to create new opportunities in Greater Minnesota by supporting our family farmers, and investing in education, health care, R&D, and infrastructure. Franken believes farming is vital to Minnesota and to the country’s well-being. He highlighted the need to strengthen the middle class and change the broken system in Washington.

Franken also effectively used the debate as an opportunity to hold Norm Coleman accountable for his record of backing George W. Bush, putting special interests ahead of Minnesotans, and supporting Big Oil.

• Coleman Has Taken More Money From The Oil And Gas Industry Than Any Other Senator In Minnesota History. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Coleman has received more contributions from the oil and gas industry than any other senator in Minnesota history. Coleman has taken at least $244,900 from the oil and gas industry since 2002, over $60,000 more than the next senator, Rod Grams. [Center For Responsive Politics, Accessed 7/28/08]

Coleman Has Supported President Bush Almost 90% Of The Time:

• Esme Murphy (WCCO-TV): If You Look At The Record, Coleman Was A “Rubber Stamp” For The President. In June 2008, after an interview with Senator Coleman, WCCO-TV reporter Esme Murphy told Professor Larry Jacobs, “Let’s talk about the campaign ad I mentioned in which the senator’s wife brings up the point that a lot of people think that he is a rubber stamp for the Bush administration. If you look at the record, definitely for the first four years, he was. I mean, he really did vote with the president. In the past two years, he has clearly distanced himself.” [WCCO-TV, 6/29/08 ]
• Coleman Has Voted With President Bush 86% Of The Time; 98% In His First Year Alone. During his time in office, Norm Coleman has supported the President an average of 86% of the time, including a whopping 98% of the time in 2003, his first year in the Senate. [CQ Voting Studies]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 16:35 and is filed under Press Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.