FRANKEN WINS FIRST DEBATE

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ROCHESTER [10/05/08] – In the first of five debates, DFL-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken led his opponents on substance, outlining his bold plans to help Minnesota’s middle class, fix our crumbling economy, end the war in Iraq, and restore trust in Washington.

Franken Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Al Franken spent tonight’s debate focused on the issues that matter to people – the economy, Iraq, energy prices – just like he has along the campaign trail. While Norm Coleman struggled to explain his record of supporting the failed policies of George Bush, including the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, Al Franken laid out his bold plans to help the middle class and change the way Washington works.”

In the key moment of the debate, Franken urged his opponents to keep the negative ads coming, since they are “nothing” compared to what middle class families are facing.
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Saint Paul [10/04/08] – Vice President Al Gore visited Minnesota today to campaign for Franken at the Minnesota DFL’s Founders Day rally at the University of Minnesota.

The Franken campaign estimated that almost 1500 people were in attendance.

Vice President Al Gore:

“I’m not just supporting Al because I trust him to be right on the issues. I’m supporting him because I’ve gotten to know him well, and he’s exactly the breath of fresh air our government needs. Believe me, Al definitely won’t be your typical Washington politician. That is a compliment. As a Senator, Al will be passionate and principled and wonky and honest and, yes, funny — sometimes all at once.”

Al Franken:

“I’m so honored to have a real champion for change joining us today. Al Gore is a hero of mine for taking on the tough issue of climate change before some would even admit it was a problem. He’s a passionate progressive who believes, like I do, that we need real change in Washington to make our government work for middle-class families. I’m proud to call him my friend.”

Full release after the jump…

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In Minnesota, He Claims To Be “Independent” – In Washington, He Wants To Head Partisan Republican Attack Committee

Capitol Hill Newspaper Reveals Coleman’s Secret Ambition To Be King Of The Partisans

SAINT PAUL [10/03/08] – At the exact same time Norm Coleman is trying to convince Minnesotans he’s independent enough to win their vote, he is trying to convince Republicans in Washington that he’s partisan enough to win theirs in the race for the next chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper, revealed Coleman’s double-talk in a story yesterday, noting that Coleman has been actively lobbying Republican Senators for the chance to lead the nation’s most partisan attack committee.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Classic Norm Coleman — says one thing in Minnesota, says the exact opposite in Washington at the same time. You can’t trust a word out of either side of his mouth.”

The Hill notes:

Coleman’s vigorous behind-the-scenes maneuvering has raised eyebrows because he is in the midst of a close reelection race against Democratic challenger Al Franken.

LINK TO ARTICLE:
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/coleman-cornyn-both-want-to-run-the-nrsc-2008-10-02.html

Full release after jump…

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Saint Paul [10/02/08] – In a powerful new television spot intended to help Minnesotans get to know the real Al Franken, his wife Franni reveals her struggle with alcohol dependency – and talks about Al’s work to support her and others in the same situation.

Today is Al and Franni’s 33rd wedding anniversary.

Al Franken has written two movies, When A Man Loves A Woman and Stuart Saves His Family, that are used in rehabilitation facilities here in Minnesota and around the country.

Franni is doing great and is unquestionably Al’s best surrogate on the campaign trail. Along with Al, she works the hardest on the campaign, and continues her treatment in the active recovery community. This is a deeply personal story. It’s about who Al Franken really is as a person. He’s a loving husband who’s supported his wife of 33 years through some tough times and then tried to help others in the same situation. It’s a beautiful ad and a real insight into why the people who know Al Franken best feel so strongly that he’s a good man.

Full release after the jump…

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After Washington Fails to Protect Taxpayers, Franken Holds News Conference to Pledge New Direction

SAINT PAUL [10/02/08] – After last night’s Senate passage of the $700 billion bailout proposal, DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today outlined how the bailout reflects the need for change in Washington.

“Last night the United States Senate voted to take $700 billion from taxpayers who did nothing wrong and offer it as a sacrifice at the altar of financial mismanagement. This bill doesn’t fix an economy that isn’t working for middle class families. This bill doesn’t even fix the damage that’s been done in the last eight years. It is, in fact, the exclamation point on eight years of the worst stewardship of our economy since Herbert Hoover. A terrible end to a terrible presidency. And if we don’t face up to what’s gone wrong – if, at this sad moment in our history, we fail to recognize what is still wrong with our economy and take concrete steps to fix it – then this will not be the last time Minnesota taxpayers are asked to clean up someone else’s mess.”

Read full release after the jump…

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SAINT PAUL [10/01/08] – U.S. Senate Candidate Al Franken:

“I am very concerned by what I’m seeing from Washington. After eight years of dismantling the regulatory framework that should have prevented this crisis, it looks like Washington may yet stick taxpayers with the bill for a $700 billion handout to Wall Street.

“I know that negotiations are continuing, so I want to send a very clear message to Washington: If we’re going to pay a premium to clean up this mess, we had better fix the problem that caused it.

“That problem is the failure -the refusal- of this administration and those who support its economic agenda to hold Wall Street accountable for its reckless behavior and enforce real oversight over our financial system.

“So, I would urge that, in any bailout package that comes up for a vote, Congress not only establish strong oversight over how this $700 billion is used, but also fix the system that allowed this abusive and reckless behavior, by implementing concrete steps to guarantee transparency and oversight in the marketplace. I believe that if we don’t fix the system, this won’t be the last bailout.

“And let me be clear: this should not be a proud day in Washington. Arsonists don’t get credit for putting out their own fires, especially when it costs taxpayers $700 billion. But any bailout package must include strong oversight protections, and a regulatory framework to prevent this from ever happening again”

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Coleman Has Taken $2 Million From Wall Street, Financial Interests – More Than Any Other Senate Candidate In The Country

Special Interest Senator Has Followed Bush Economic Agenda All The Way

Saint Paul [09/30/08] – As the economic crisis deepens, potentially resulting in a $700 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of Wall Street, the Al Franken for Senate campaign today released a new statewide television ad, “Turmoil,” reminding Minnesotans that Norm Coleman has been a rubber-stamp supporter of the Bush economic agenda that caused the crisis in the first place.

Coleman has taken $2 million from Wall Street and financial interests – more than any other Senate candidate in the entire country.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

“Norm Coleman is deeper in the pockets of Wall Street and the financial interests who have caused this meltdown than any other Senate candidate in the country — $2 million worth. So it’s not enough just to ask Minnesota families to put up $2,300 for every man, woman, and child to bail out Norm’s friends. We need to get rid of people like Norm Coleman who followed the Bush plan of letting these special interests put our economic security in jeopardy.”

Full release after the jump…

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Lays Out Greater Minnesota Agenda, Promising To Keep Rural Tradition Alive

Accepts Endorsement In Conference Call With Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson, Senator Tony Lourey

SAINT PAUL [09/29/08] – DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today accepted the endorsement of the National Farmers Union Political Action Committee. Franken was joined on a conference call by Minnesota Farmers Union president Doug Peterson and Senator Tony Lourey to announce the endorsement.

Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson:

“Al Franken will be a Senator rural Minnesota can count on. He knows the important role agriculture plays in Minnesota’s economy, but he also understands what it means to make a living off the land. And I’m confident that Al has what it takes to keep the rural economy strong for generations to come, working to build roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals — and helping to keep our young people in our communities. Family farmers need a reliable and strong advocate in the Senate, and I can tell you that’s exactly what they’ll get in Al Franken.”

Al Franken:

“I am honored by this endorsement and proud of all the support I’ve received from the family farmers who make Minnesota a national leader in agriculture. I will work hard in Washington to protect and strengthen the farm safety net, support trade policies that help our family farmers, and create jobs in rural Minnesota by making it the epicenter and engine of a renewable energy economy. Norm Coleman hasn’t always stood up for Minnesota farmers – but I’ll be a Senator they can count on.”

Full release after the jump…

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Educator, Local Leaders Slam Ads As “Blatantly Untrue,” “A Disgrace”

“Norm Coleman Should Be Ashamed.”

Saint Paul [09/27/08] – After the Star Tribune and KSTP-TV blasted ads from the Coleman campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee as “false” and “misleading,” the Al Franken for Senate campaign today released a new television ad featuring Minnesota women expressing their disgust and outrage at the depths to which Norm Coleman has sunk.

You can watch the ad here:
http://www.alfranken.com/content/video_detail/?id=71

Full release after the jump…

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All this week, the Franken campaign and the DFL blanketed Minnesota holding Norm Coleman accountable for letting defense contractors like Halliburton off the hook during his tenure as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Norm Coleman held zero hearings on the waste, fraud, and abuse in Iraq reconstructions – and now Minnesota taxpayers are paying the price.

Read full entry for some of the clips from this weeklong, state-wide tour…

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