After Original Press Release Denouncing Smears - Five Days Later Coleman Embraces Them

Coleman Employs Jeff Larson, Producer Of Attack Calls - And Today Campaigned With Rudy Giuliani, Who Voiced Them

SAINT PAUL [10/23/08] - Norm Coleman today endorsed attack robo-calls against Barack Obama voiced by Rudy Giuliani, who was campaigning for him here in Minnesota. Coleman’s closest advisor, Jeff Larson, has recently come under fire for producing these calls for the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee.

The Associated Press reports:

Giuliani and Coleman defended Giuliani’s recent recording of automated “robocalls” that are critical of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s lack of support for mandatory minimum prison sentences for some crimes.

LINK: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/33075504.html

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“It didn’t take long for Norm Coleman to reveal his true colors – he supports John McCain’s vicious smear attacks against Barack Obama. It’s not surprising that Coleman would defend this disgusting negative campaign, given that he continues to employ the same smear merchant who produced it and spent today campaigning with the politician who voiced some of the calls. What’s surprising is that, after nearly two weeks of phony posturing, Norm Coleman finally admitted his real position.”

(more…)

In New Ad, Klobuchar Pledges To Work With Franken To End Gridlock, Reverse Bush Economic Policies

Franken: “Together, We’ll Bring Change.”

SAINT PAUL [10/23/08] - The Al Franken for Senate campaign today proudly released a new 30-second television ad, “End the Gridlock,” featuring Senator Amy Klobuchar.

In the ad, Sen. Klobuchar says she will work together with Franken to “put the middle class first.” With a new President and “a Senate willing to help him,” the two will “work to reverse the disastrous Bush economy, stop the billions in giveaways to the special interests, and cut taxes for the middle class.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar:

“This election is about a new direction for our economy and our country. Al Franken and I will work together to bring the change the middle class needs.”

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Senator Klobuchar is a terrific champion for Minnesota’s middle class – and she’ll make a great senior Senator from our state. Al is honored to have her support and looks forward to working with her on behalf of working families when he joins her in Washington.”

(more…)

Coleman To Welcome Giuliani To Minnesota Days After “Condemning” Calls - But Calls Feature Giuliani’s Voice

Say One Thing, Do Another - Coleman Can’t Be Trusted On Negative Campaigning

SAINT PAUL [10/23/08] - According to published reports, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who will be campaigning for Norm Coleman today, has been revealed to be the voice attacking Barack Obama on negative robo-calls - the very same robo-calls Coleman has condemned.

Hear the audio here:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1008/Rudy_takes_to_phones_to_hit_Obama_on_crime.html

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Norm Coleman’s hypocrisy stinks worse every day. We already knew that he employs the same smear merchant, Jeff Larson, who produces these calls. Now we find out that he’s welcoming the voice of those attack calls to campaign for him in Minnesota. This is just another outrageous example of how Minnesotans can’t trust a word Norm Coleman says. He should be ashamed of his campaign and ashamed of his hypocrisy.”

Full release after the jump…

(more…)

In New Ad, Clinton Cites Franken’s Commitment To Helping People, Republican Obstructionism

SAINT PAUL [10/22/08] - The Al Franken for Senate campaign today released a new 30-second television ad, “60 Votes,” in which Senator Hillary Clinton offers a ringing endorsement of Al Franken’s commitment to helping people, his middle-class economic agenda, and his capacity to bring Minnesotans the change we need.

Sen. Clinton visited Minnesota yesterday to stump for Franken at a rally attended by more than 2,000 people.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Senator Clinton is a hero to so many of us who share her passion for change and her commitment to working families. In the Senate, Al Franken will join her in standing up for the middle class. And with Barack Obama in the White House and Al Franken working with Senator Clinton and Senator Klobuchar in the Senate, we’ll be able to turn the page on the Bush-Coleman era and make our economy work for the middle class again.”

(more…)

Policy Address Contains Details On Franken’s Plan To Make The Economy Work For The Middle Class

Franken Is The Only Candidate To Oppose $700 Billion Wall Street Bailout - Now Proposes Solutions For Main Street Crisis

SAINT PAUL [10/22/08] – DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today addressed the Humphrey School Candidate Forum at the University of Minnesota. In his remarks, Franken called for bold action to help Minnesota’s middle class: cutting taxes on working families, ending giveaways to special interests and companies that outsource, creating jobs by investing in short-term infrastructure projects, and helping small businesses find credit in an uncertain economy.

Franken also reiterated his opposition to the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, describing his concerns with the lack of oversight for the financial services industry and the failure of Washington to address the housing crisis that sparked the economic downturn.

Read more, including excerpts from Franken’s remarks, after the jump…

(more…)