BREAKING: Franken Snags Steelworkers Endorsement

6 Responses to “BREAKING: Franken Snags Steelworkers Endorsement”

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• Christopher Truscott

  May 17, 2007 at 6:00 pm

  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.

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• Dan

  May 18, 2007 at 2:16 pm

  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.

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• Charley

  May 18, 2007 at 9:06 pm

  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?)

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• rick

  May 19, 2007 at 12:27 pm

  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.

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• Anonymous35

  May 21, 2007 at 4:55 pm

  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!

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• Dan

  May 22, 2007 at 12:18 am

  “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.

  Reply