From the Franken campaign Press Release (full release below the fold):
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.”Al is an associate member of the Steelworkers, as well as a full member of four unions: the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG), the Writers’ Guild, and the Directors’ Guild.
While this is a modest get in the grand scheme of things,
That being said, Ciresi’s McCollum endorsement highlights a sore spot for the Franken campaign so far as they have yet to receive any notable endorsements from electeds. Obviously most electeds will wait until the session ends to start endorsing, so we’ll have to reserve any meaningful analysis of this lack until then.
For Immediate Release
Steelworkers Endorse Al Franken for U.S. Senate
____________________________________________________________
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.”
Al is an associate member of the Steelworkers, as well as a full member of four unions: the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG), the Writers’ Guild, and the Directors’ Guild.
Al had this to say about the first labor endorsement of the 2008 Senate race:
“The Steelworkers have a long and storied tradition of fighting for greater job and retirement security, fair trade agreements that enforce real labor and environmental standards, and affordable health care and education for everyone. Minnesota’s working families need a Senator who’ll join that fight. Norm Coleman hasn’t done that in the past, and he sure won’t do it in the future. I will. In the Senate, I’ll be proud to stand for the things the Steelworkers have fought for all along, and I’m honored that they’ve chosen to stand with me in this campaign.”
The USW release announcing the endorsement can be found here: http://www.usw.org/usw/program/content/4021.php.
For more information on Al’s campaign, including a full event schedule, the official campaign blog, biographical information, and assorted multimedia goodies, please visit the on-line campaign headquarters at www.alfranken.com.
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Paid for by Al Franken for Senate
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After the smashing success of Amy Klobuchar’s 06 campaign, it’s great to see groups jumping on the 2008 version of the Titanic.
Let’s get serious, folks.
I keep waiting to come here and read the breaking news that Al Franken has realized that he is a terrible candidate and is dropping out so he won’t hurt the party and destroy our chances against Coleman.
I worry that we’re going to ride this right into the iceberg.
I agree with Christopher and Dan, above. There are years and years of truly tasteless clips being collected by the right-wing bloggers and oppo researchers. It is still early, so we haven’t seen much yet. But as the campaign heats up, we are going to see some quotes and videos that will make it impossible for most voters to think of Al Franken and senitorial at the same time.
Imagine what will happen if Franken gets the least bit critical of Norm Coleman, or if Franken makes some witty but gross comment in front of the cameras on the campaign trail. It will only take a very small excuse for Minnesota’s swift-boaters to start throwing all they have.
What worries me is the rush. Recently labor seems to intent on backing a winner that they rush to pick a loose cannon almost guaranteed to lose. (Remember that Hatch fellow?)
Just a reminder, that “Hatch fellow” ran better than any Democrat for governor since Perpich. He actually broke 40% unlike, Marty, Skip and Moe. Get over what the Republicans might do and listen to the issues. If tastelessness clips precludes winning a statewide race how do you explain Jesse Ventura? As for the Steelworkers, they and AFSCME always rush to get “out front” with their endorsements, nothing new there. Most of Labor will wait for the MN AFL-CIO to endorse. There are legitimate reasons to endorse early. The early endorsement of Wellstone by the USW lent instant credibility to his campaign and helps in the 8th CD. In addition, politicians don’t forget who got them there and who was there early. As for Ciresi, who knows. It is very unusual for a sitting Congressperson to endorse in a race this early, I’m guessing i’s a pay back by Betty to Ciresi.
All are making pretty important points. Let’s just not forget one thing, Coleman is the one who has been stepping further and further to the left since Franken entered the race. It’s not the other way around. Coleman represents everything that is wrong with the Republican Party these days, and has been Bush’s lapdog until only recently. Do you realize how easy it will be for a communicator of Franken’s level to make Coleman look like a chain smoking dunce?
Not to mention, Coleman has NEVER done ANYTHING for the middle class, at least since he became a Republican. Minnesota is ALL about the middle class, as it should be. The real competition is going to be between Franken and Cirisi for the nomination. There is no way in hell Minnesotans are going to let another desperate Republican get in there, incumbent or not!
“Do you realize how easy it will be for a communicator of Franken’s level to make Coleman look like a chain smoking dunce?”
I don’t think it will be easy at all - how do you boil Coleman’s problems down to a 30-second ad? On the other hand, do you realize how easy it will be for the Republicans to destroy Al Franken? This campaign will not be about issues - it will be about what a jerk Al Franken is.
If we nominate Franken, Coleman wins.