Tim Fullerton posted the following over at his blog about a recent Al Franken fund-raising e-mail blast that went out:
The message goes on to explain why he was asking for money. It is explained in very simple terms how they will spend the money. I think this email is great. Since the first fundraising reporting deadline is the end of this month, I have received tons of emails asking for money. This is the only one I remembered. Why?
Because Al Franken spoke to me like a human and not some fundraising machine. The tone was light, he explained how he would spend the money, and he treated me with respect. The email didn’t drown on and on, but was a highly interesting read. Do you think most politicians would include this quote
I had the same thoughts when I read the e-mail but wasn’t going to post anything on it until I saw Tim’s take. I think Tim’s most interesting insight is the comment that Franken treats the reader with respect. From what I’ve seen so far I think that’s a theme of his whole campaign: treat the voter with respect. You can say a lot of things about Al Franken’s candidacy, but you can’t say that it isn’t refreshing in its own way.
Update: The letter made it into the AP today.
You can read the unusually entertaining mailing below the fold (warning, big screenshot images).
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I was impressed by this email as well.
We used this type of framing for Rybak in 2005 and I saw others using it in 2006. It has empathy and transparency, which is why it works. I’m pleasantly shocked that the AP wrote a whole story about it. Kudos the internet/finance team. Especially to whomever cooked up those icons - awesome.
I spent a number of years doing fundraising for nonpartisan nonprofits. When I saw the Franken piece, I was green (blue?) with envy. Solid piece. I’m guessing it’ll generate $$$, which, after all, is the whole point, right? And BTW, no opponent body slams. How refreshing!!
C’mon guys, am I nuts, or is the whole party structure deciding that Franken is going to the guy 14 months out from the endorsement? Health Care, Peace and Energy issues seem to matter to us at least they did until Franken decided to run.
Let’s be smart.
I laughed when I got Franken’s email and thought it was very well done. I still think nominating Franken is political suicide that will reverberate far beyond simply handing Coleman his re-election. Did everyone see the Star Tribune piece on Franken in the last couple of days? Its not just the Right that is going to be attacking Franken for his un-senatorial behavior, its the mainstream media as well.
Please Dan, you ARE the right. Why don’t you post your comments on MDE and leave us lefties alone to discuss lefty issues in peace.
Un-Senatorial behavior?? Like Shooter-Cheney dropping the F-bomb on the Senate floor?
Sadly, this website has lost most of it’s edge. What’s left are the Repugs throwing mud to see what might stick.
Dan is just encouraging us to donate to Franken!
I don’t see any other purpose to his post.
Whatever he’s referring to is probably a RW op ed.
This must be Dan’s reference:
http://www.startribune.com/217/story/1086402.html
I am glad that right wingers are showing concern over who the liberal/progressive candidate will be.
Al Franken: not quite as vulgar as Dick Cheney. That’s awesome.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am an active and loyal DFLer. And like a lot of other active and loyal DFLers, I do not want to see Norm Coleman get a free pass to re-election, which is what will happen if Franken is the nominee.