MINNEAPOLIS [6/05/07] – The Al Franken for Senate campaign today announced that Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto has endorsed Al’s candidacy.

“After having spent the last year with Al on the campaign trail,” Otto said, “I know that he will never be afraid to speak his mind or vote his convictions in Washington. Al will always value principle over politics.”

In addition, the campaign released its first list of legislative endorsements, including nine members of the Minnesota Senate and ten members of the Minnesota House.

Full Entry »

Al sat down with the Princeton Union-Eagle to talk a little about life on the trail.

[from the article]:

Al Franken sits on the floor in the hallway outside Princeton Party House answering questions and he is perfectly comfortable doing it.He has come to speak to an awaiting audience at a democratic fund-raiser March 18. Events like these, Franken says, also make him feel perfectly comfortable.
…

Full Entry »

Al’s son Joe graduates from Princeton U next month, but until then there’s only one Princeton on our map. And Friday night that’s where TeamFranken was headed. It was the Senate District 16 fundraiser, featuring an absolutely beautiful introduction by Jeff Lundgren, some of the best pot luck we’ve had yet, and a keynote from our own Al Franken. Despite the gorgeous spring evening, nearly 200 people packed inside the little hall to meet Al and hear him lay out his vision for the state.

Full Entry »

MINNEAPOLIS [5/17/07] – Al Franken’s campaign for the U.S. Senate announced today that he has received the official endorsement of the United Steelworkers (USW) District #11.

In a release announcing the endorsement, Bob Bratulich, Director of USW District 11, cited Al’s support of universal health care, early childhood education, retirement security, and “fair trade,” as well as his strong support for the Employee Free Choice Act. He also noted that Al “is the only candidate running an aggressive, statewide grassroots campaign that has the capability of mobilizing working families in November 2008.”

Full Entry »

Last Saturday, we made our weekly trip to Duluth (it really feels like that these days!) for the fifth annual Solon Munger Dinner, a fundraiser for the 7th senate district DFL.

And this party was worth the trip. The company was exciting and excited to be there. The peppercorn pork was delicious. MC Kathy Heltzer quite simply rocked.

Al spoke to a room packed full of DFLers celebrating last year’s successes. Despite the nail-biter re-elections of Sen. Yvonne Prettner-Solon, Rep. Tom Huntley and Rep. Mike Jaros (with just 97% of the vote), Congressman Jim Oberstar sailed to an easy 17th term and the chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee. And all that makes it an excellent time to live in Minnesota’s 7th senate district.

Full Entry »

Al meets with local activists

Every year in Mankato, DFLers gather in the name of Dan and Verona Burton. Speeches are given, local leaders are honored, and fajitas are served. (I’m not actually sure that the fajitas are an 11 year tradition, but this year they were a featured guest.) And this year there was a ton to celebrate.

Full Entry »

Last week, TeamFranken suited up, pointed the hybrid in a northerly direction, and made its way to Duluth. One overflowing house party at the (lovely) Frederick home, one dinner at Pickwick’s (deep-fried cheeseburgers!), and one UMD meet-and-greet later, we crashed at the Holiday Inn on First Street.

Full Entry »

The day couldn’t have been any prettier. We drove out to Big Lake for some excellent food and even better conversation. Al was joined by members of the Sherburne County DFL Party at Russell’s, which serves an especially good thai steak salad along with its impressive views.

The crowd gathered lakeside and covered everything from the privatization of social security, to the need for universal health care, to the antics of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, to the story of how Al and Franni met. For an even more complete run-down than that, check out Jennifer Edwards’ piece in the West Sherburne County Tribune.

Full Entry »

On Tuesday this week we drove over to Augsburg College in Minneapolis. You can read a write-up on the event from Inside Augsburg.

Augsburg made the coolest posters for the event, and they packed the chapel with about 200 people. After the speech Al got to hang out with a smaller group of 20 students interested in becoming involved politically. TeamFranken was especially excited about the diet pepsi and over-sized chocolate chip cookies provided for the meet and greet.

Al had a few tips for those just starting to become interested in politics. He suggested reading every article in the newspaper that you can find about one event (anything from the war in Iraq to the elections in Nigeria) and then keeping it up. He also suggested the News Hour with Jim Lehrer and Meet the Press,

Full Entry »

Al discusses his trip to DC, fundraising success, and why taking money from Big Comedy beats taking money from Big Oil or Big Tobacco [hint: Tom Hanks isn't getting any earmarks].

Al Franken, who hopes to challenge Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., next year, says he delivered a stern message to friend Tom Hanks at a fundraiser in Los Angeles last month.
…

Full Entry »