The strategy backfired — though the ad brought down Franken’s favorability ratings, it also cost Coleman in a state where “Minnesota nice” prevails. Once polling showed Coleman losing ground, he decided to take down all his negative ads.

10 moments that rattled race for Congress
By: Josh Kraushaar, Politico
October 28, 2008 06:37 AM EST

A case can be made that Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) made the gaffe of the election when she went on MSNBC’s “Hardball” and suggested that Barack Obama and other Democratic members of Congress held anti-American views. Her comments changed what looked like an easy path to victory into a political dogfight with a very uncertain outcome.

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FRANKEN STATEWIDE TOUR DRAWS OVERFLOW CROWDS IN GREATER MINNESOTA

Packed Houses Greet Franken On “For The Middle Class, For A Change” Tour

Momentum Builds As Hundreds Rally For Change At High-Energy Events

SAINT PAUL [10/28/08] — Promising a truly state-wide grassroots operation to turn out change voters in every corner of Minnesota, DFL Senate candidate Al Franken has been greeted with wild enthusiasm and overflow crowds throughout Greater Minnesota on his “For The Middle Class, For A Change” Tour.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“This campaign for change isn’t just about Democrats. It’s also about Independents, disaffected Republicans, and people who never even thought about what party they belong to but know that the government just hasn’t been working for our middle class. And as we sprint towards the finish line, it’s clear that voters from everywhere on the ideological spectrum and everywhere in Minnesota are responding to Al’s message of change. Everywhere our tour goes, we’re overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm of Minnesotans ready to reject the failed policies of George Bush and Norm Coleman, and vote for a new direction with Barack Obama and Al Franken.”

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COLEMAN MANAGER ON NRSC CHAIR BID: “That’s For After The Election”

Norm Coleman’s answers continue to change regarding his not-so-stealth campaign to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Republican Senators have already said that Coleman has asked for their support. Last night on KMSP, his campaign manager Cullen Sheehan said his effort to head the group responsible for the most offensive direct mail piece this cycle was “a conversation for after the election.” Meanwhile, in an interview with WCCO’S Pat Kessler, Norm Coleman has already begun thinking about how he would run the committee.

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BILL CLINTON HEADLINES RALLY FOR OBAMA CAMPAIGN, FRANKEN THURSDAY EVENING IN MINNEAPOLIS

Clinton Campaigns with Al Franken To Bring Change For Minnesota’s Middle Class

SAINT PAUL [10/27/08] ­ The Obama for America and Al Franken for Senate campaigns today announced that former President Bill Clinton will campaign in Minnesota Thursday to show his support for the two candidates. Clinton will host a rally in Minneapolis Thursday evening, joined by U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken.

“President Clinton has always understood that you grow the economy by investing in the middle class and putting people first,”said Al Franken. “Minnesota families need a change in Washington so we can get our economy back on track — and I’m so honored to be able to stand with President Clinton in fighting for that change in this election.”

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MONDALE, OTTO, ELLISON, AND AN EDINA MOTHER DEMAND APOLOGY FROM COLEMAN, REPUBLICANS AFTER “VILE” DIRECT MAIL PIECE “CROSSES THE LINE”

Minnesota Leaders Warn Fellow Parents About “Rape Mail” Targeted At Minnesota Children, Call On Coleman To End Coordination With Culprits

Mail Piece Generating National Attention For Appalling Tactics - But Coleman Wants To Lead The Group Responsible

SAINT PAUL [10/27/08] - After the partisan attack group Norm Coleman is actively campaigning to lead sent Minnesotans a mail piece targeted at children that contained discussion of rape and pornography, Minnesota elected officials called on Coleman to apologize and end his coordination with the group.

State Auditor Rebecca Otto:

“Norm Coleman’s friends at the National Republican Senatorial Committee did something this week that should outrage every mother in this state. Minnesota families would appreciate a public apology from Norm Coleman on behalf of his party, and a commitment that he will not try to be the head of the committee that produces this type of garbage, and uses this type of slimy tactic. Stick to the issues that affect families.”

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