Al caught up with Ann Schwartz on the way to Chisolm’s famous Tom and Jerry’s Bar. He explained why he’s running, and why his message appeals to independents and Republicans, too.
“In reality, the Democratic Party is both the liberal and conservative party in this county,” he said. “There is nothing conservative about this brand of the Republican party that we’ve seen the last few years.
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The New York Times came out to Minnesota to meet Al and see what the excitement is all about.
One blustery, bitterly cold afternoon, as Mr. Franken went door-to-door in St. Paul urging voters to support a local City Council hopeful, he was met by greetings that most first-time politicians could only dream of.
“My hero!” one man actually hollered when Mr. Franken came to his door, and the man ran to fetch his wife.
The whole piece is definitely worth the read Check it out here.
Matt Stolle from the Rochester Post-Bulletin talked with Al about the war in Iraq, the need for universal health care, and a little bit about Bob Dole:
Unlike many political pros — and contrary to what his own comedic career might suggest — Franken is not a candidate of one-liners. When he talks about universal health care or the war in Iraq or early childhood education, as he did Friday at Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe in downtown Rochester, his ideas don’t come in digestible sound bites.
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Last month, Al sat down with the Mankato Free Press during his College Week tour. Mark Fischenich reports today:
It will take someone other than the standard candidate to get people to believe that America’s course can be changed, that hope can be restored, Franken said. He’s confident Democratic activists, the ones who will be endorsing a candidate in June to run against Coleman, are deciding he’s the guy.
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Our very own TeamFinance intern Nick Christensen was featured on the New York Times website this Sunday. Nick, a senior at Macalester College, talked about his study abroad experience in Ecuador. By clicking here, you can listen to a first hand account of Nick’s travels. If you stop by the office, make sure to ask Nick about his thrilling bungee jump off the rickety Ecuadorian bridge.
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The Nation has a profile of Al’s campaign, written by John Nichols. He came to Minnesota a few weeks back, hung around for the Progressive Caucus debate at Augsburg, and talked with a few Minnesota DFLers.
Franken is not playing catch-up. He is not learning the ropes. Yes, of course, his celebrity helps. Not every first-time candidate is greeted by spontaneous chants of “Al! Al! Al!” while working the crowds at the Twin Cities Gay Pride Parade and “Franken! Franken! Franken!” along the route of the Fourth of July parade in rural Brainerd. But when Franken is asked what he will do about healthcare or free trade or ending the war in Iraq, the fun and games stop.
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Between MSU Moorhead and the U of M Morris, Al stopped in Alexandria to talk about what he learned from the students during College Week.
Franken hopes his campaign will motivate citizens to “take back their country” and restore their pride in America.
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Super Al is the Answer
by Lindsey Brau (University of Minnesota – Morris)
Al Franken is not a politician. He is a comedian, a representative, and most of all, a Minnesotan. These are the things that make him such a strong candidate for the Senate. Al Franken has taken the approach that people need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but you first need the boots, and this is where government is crucial. Franken is for the people; the betterment of our country is his goal. He is here to fix everything that has become a major problem throughout the last six years. Just think of him as Super Al.
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The air is getting cooler, the leaves are turning and falling, and all across Minnesota, kids are settling in to their lives as students. New dorms, new classes, and a host of new responsibilities. This week, Al and TeamFranken are traveling the state listening, learning and picking up some enthusiastic supporters.
Students today don’t have it quite as easy as when Al and Franni were going to school – at least, students today don’t have quite the same safety net. When Franni went to college, she did because of a Pell grant, which had the federal government pay 90% of her school costs. Today, the new Democratic Congress had to fight to get that same Pell grant to cover just over 40%. Today, students work two or three jobs to pay their way through school, and take out ever larger loans to cover the difference.
Brady Averill stopped by one night a couple weeks ago to chat with Al in his living room about his neighborhood. Her write-up is in the Downtown Journal.
Do not ask Al Franken where he dines in Minneapolis. He rarely does.
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