After Saturday’s debate at Breck High School, the reviews came pouring in: Al Franken spent the debate focused on the issues that matter to people. Al highlighted his plans to help Minnesotans, strengthen the middle class and create jobs. He may not have sounded like a typical Washington politician, but Al showed that he is ready to bring change to Washington as a United States Senator.

AP:

The debate saw plenty of discussion on the issues, but the candidates also used their first extended shot at a TV audience to stress the styles they hope will sway voters.

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For Franken, it was a vow to put Minnesota’s middle class above special interests.

“This election isn’t about the three of us on the stage,” he said. “It’s about you, the people of Minnesota, who haven’t been getting a fair shake from Washington.”

Read more coverage of debate in the full entry…

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Franni visited the Brainerd DFL Office yesterday for lunch with our hard-working supporters and DFL activists, including Rep. John Ward (DFL-Brainerd).

Lakeland TV News came to check it out – watch their TV news coverage here (minute 10:20 of the broadcast). Local DFLers talked about their bustling volunteer activities and about Franni’s giant apple pies – and Franni reflected on the wonderful experience she’s had on the trail so far.

Or read the story from the Brainerd Dispatch (excerpts after the jump).

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TeamFranken headed to St. Cloud State University yesterday, where Al spoke about his idea for a $5000 college tuition tax credit so that Minnesota’s middle class families can help their kids pay for college.

Read the full post for an excerpt from the St. Cloud Times article about the event…

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Sen. Klobuchar, Al Franken, Vice President Gore

Vice President Al Gore joined DFL leaders like Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Congressmen Tim Walz and Keith Ellison at the University of Minnesota on Saturday for a DFL Founders Day rally to support Al Franken for Senate. Vice President Gore spoke to a crowd of almost 1500 people about the importance of this election, and the importance of working hard to get Democrats up and down the ticket elected this November.

Read excerpts from an AP article on the event after the jump…

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The Record, a student newspaper at College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University, just came out with a story about student political activity and the great response Al got when he visited. Like college students around Minnesota and the country, CSB/SJU students are really excited for this election!

From their story:

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“You’re the ones that are going to make the difference in this campaign, the 18 to 30(year-olds),” Franken said. “We’re going to do this. We’re going to change this country, and it’s going to be in your hands.”

Sophomore Alan Albert participated in the march and said he supports Franken. “I like his beliefs, his politics, everything that he stands for,” Albert said. “He’s a down to earth guy . . . and I think we can relate to him very easily.”

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Read more excerpts from the article after the jump…
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Franni headed south to New Ulm last week to doorknock with volunteers and then for a meet & greet with local DFLers.

The New Ulm Journal stopped by to check it out and chat with Franni for a few minutes:

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Franni also talked about her own background. Her father was killed in a car accident when she was a teenager. The tragedy left her mother with four children and Social Security survivor’s benefits.

She said her husband feels that the role of government is to provide a safety net and to provide opportunities. While Social Security helped the family survive, the federal Pell Grant, which provides financial assistance for college to those who qualify, helped her through college. At one time, the Pell Grant covered 90 percent of the cost of going to college; it now covers only 30 percent, she said. That is another thing that Franken’s husband wants to fix.

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Read more from the article after the jump…

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Franni Talks Issues

Women for Franken has been busy with house parties around Minnesota, but this Sunday evening we tried something new–our first Mothers and Daughters for Franken reception.

Supporter Holly and her mother Candy hosted the event, where 40 women came out to meet our mother-and-daughter duo Franni and Thomasin Franken. With glasses of wine and sparkling cider in hand, everyone headed outside to enjoy the balmy weather. Rep. Linda Slocum introduced Franni and Thomasin, and kicked off a conversation of the issues facing Minnesota women and their families.
More about the event and the Women for Franken group after the jump…

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Vice President Walter Mondale joined Al at the State Capitol yesterday to call for renewed accountability in Washington ­ and expose Norm Coleman’s false excuses for not using his powerful Congressional oversight position to oversee Iraq reconstruction contractors.

Listen to the Vice President’s speech here.

The call for increased accountability in Washington is even more relevant with the Bush administration’s proposed trillion-dollar bailout. Yesterday, Al outlined his concerns with the bailout and the lack of Congressional oversight and accountability in that proposal.

Read more after the jump…

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Al spent Friday night meeting with a large and diverse group of Hmong Americans at a Storm Soccer Club fundraiser in St. Paul. Sen. Mee Moua introduced Al to the crowd, which included local community and business leaders, teachers and students. We’re very proud to have Sen. Moua’s endorsement! Al talked about the importance of life-long education (including providing English language learning options for adults), affordable housing, and affordable health care.

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We kicked off the new Latinos for Franken outreach campaign at the Wellstone Center this Sunday. Latino community, business and political leaders joined Al for the event -­ including Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega, Art Martinez and Elsa Leven. They talked about the power the Latino community has to get out the vote and volunteer to reach out through doorknocks and phone calls.

More after the jump…
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