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	<title>Comments on: Former U.S. Senator McGovern on Hunger, Franken</title>
	<atom:link href="http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/</link>
	<description>Tracking Minnesota Politics Since 2005</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3</generator>
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		<title>By: Demure One</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19582</link>
		<dc:creator>Demure One</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:22:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19582</guid>
		<description>Lojasmo - such interpretation. I was pointing out amuseinc needs to grow up and take an objective look at his candidate. When "quit whining" is the shallow response ones gets to legitimate well written points "grow a pair" seems the appropriate blog response - especially for Franken supporters who must love terms like "butt-boy". I did think that "grow a pair" might possibly register in the same way as "quit whining" does...
And also I think "grow a pair" is sort of the attitude many in the DFL are telling those who object to Franken's humor. On the one hand you have many in the general public who are thinking "Nice guys don't write porn" - then you have the Franken supporters basically saying who cares he is better than Norm...deal with it - grow a pair. Plus it sums up so well the frat-boy aura that surrounds the Franken campaign. You are placing me in the category of a feminist - which I don't agree with - I just think women should have the same rights and pay equity as men. 
BTW - Nice guys don't write porn.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lojasmo - such interpretation. I was pointing out amuseinc needs to grow up and take an objective look at his candidate. When &#8220;quit whining&#8221; is the shallow response ones gets to legitimate well written points &#8220;grow a pair&#8221; seems the appropriate blog response - especially for Franken supporters who must love terms like &#8220;butt-boy&#8221;. I did think that &#8220;grow a pair&#8221; might possibly register in the same way as &#8220;quit whining&#8221; does&#8230;<br />
And also I think &#8220;grow a pair&#8221; is sort of the attitude many in the DFL are telling those who object to Franken&#8217;s humor. On the one hand you have many in the general public who are thinking &#8220;Nice guys don&#8217;t write porn&#8221; - then you have the Franken supporters basically saying who cares he is better than Norm&#8230;deal with it - grow a pair. Plus it sums up so well the frat-boy aura that surrounds the Franken campaign. You are placing me in the category of a feminist - which I don&#8217;t agree with - I just think women should have the same rights and pay equity as men.<br />
BTW - Nice guys don&#8217;t write&nbsp;porn.</p>
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		<title>By: amuseinc</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19570</link>
		<dc:creator>amuseinc</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:01:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19570</guid>
		<description>Lojasmo you owe me for this coffee covered keyboard I am now attempting to use... good one!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lojasmo you owe me for this coffee covered keyboard I am now attempting to use&#8230; good&nbsp;one!</p>
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		<title>By: lojasmo</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19562</link>
		<dc:creator>lojasmo</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:13:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19562</guid>
		<description>Yes, Demure.

You are simply a feminist who thinks the growth of testicles will make one a more competent person.

Brava.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yes, Demure.</p>
<p>You are simply a feminist who thinks the growth of testicles will make one a more competent person.&nbsp;Brava.</p>
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		<title>By: Demure One</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19557</link>
		<dc:creator>Demure One</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:44:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19557</guid>
		<description>Nope. Not that exciting amuseinc. You live in a binary world.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nope. Not that exciting amuseinc. You live in a binary&nbsp;world.</p>
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		<title>By: amuseinc</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19555</link>
		<dc:creator>amuseinc</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:58:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19555</guid>
		<description>Things that make you go hhhmmmm... Demure One starts out an outraged feminist DFLer and then all of a sudden starts referring to "your party" versus a previous "our" party. What is that I spy sleeping under that bridge? Looks like a sleeping elephant transvestite?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Things that make you go hhhmmmm&#8230; Demure One starts out an outraged feminist DFLer and then all of a sudden starts referring to &#8220;your party&#8221; versus a previous &#8220;our&#8221; party. What is that I spy sleeping under that bridge? Looks like a sleeping elephant&nbsp;transvestite?</p>
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		<title>By: lojasmo</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19554</link>
		<dc:creator>lojasmo</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:21:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19554</guid>
		<description>@ DtM

"Norm Coleman has done an admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans. Of course the leftmost 20% disagree with what he has made his key issues and most of his votes,"

Explain to me this: Why is Coleman's approval rating under 50% ?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>@ DtM</p>
<p>&#8220;Norm Coleman has done an admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans. Of course the leftmost 20% disagree with what he has made his key issues and most of his votes,&#8221;</p>
<p>Explain to me this: Why is Coleman&#8217;s approval rating under 50%&nbsp;?</p>
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		<title>By: Demure One</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19545</link>
		<dc:creator>Demure One</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:03:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19545</guid>
		<description>You know, I think you represent the DFL well...you do deserve Franken. He and all his baggage are a perfect match for your party.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You know, I think you represent the DFL well&#8230;you do deserve Franken. He and all his baggage are a perfect match for your&nbsp;party.</p>
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		<title>By: amuseinc</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19542</link>
		<dc:creator>amuseinc</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:47:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19542</guid>
		<description>Of what? You whine about supposed feminist faults of the DFL and then refer to testes? Are you Demented? Support your claims once in a while...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Of what? You whine about supposed feminist faults of the DFL and then refer to testes? Are you Demented? Support your claims once in a&nbsp;while&#8230;</p>
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		<title>By: Demure One</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19520</link>
		<dc:creator>Demure One</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:38:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19520</guid>
		<description>I'm not whining - I am pointing out serious issues. You should grow a pair.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m not whining - I am pointing out serious issues. You should grow a&nbsp;pair.</p>
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		<title>By: amuseinc</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19510</link>
		<dc:creator>amuseinc</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:04:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19510</guid>
		<description>Demure should you ever do anything but whine, kvetch about the DFL and make baseless accusations maybe I can stop asking for backup or as you put it "homework."</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Demure should you ever do anything but whine, kvetch about the DFL and make baseless accusations maybe I can stop asking for backup or as you put it&nbsp;&#8220;homework.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>By: Typical Frightened Right Wing Guy</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19508</link>
		<dc:creator>Typical Frightened Right Wing Guy</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:45:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19508</guid>
		<description>DantheMan I agree 100%,

"Norm Coleman has done an admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans."

He voted with Bush 90% of the time, endorsing the strong, bold, steady leadership of George W. Bush.

That is what an "admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans" is, for you moonbats here who just don't get it.

Great Job, Republican Liberal Website Troller DantheMan</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>DantheMan I agree 100%,</p>
<p>&#8220;Norm Coleman has done an admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans.&#8221;</p>
<p>He voted with Bush 90% of the time, endorsing the strong, bold, steady leadership of George W. Bush.</p>
<p>That is what an &#8220;admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans&#8221; is, for you moonbats here who just don&#8217;t get it.</p>
<p>Great Job, Republican Liberal Website Troller&nbsp;DantheMan</p>
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		<title>By: DantheMan</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19507</link>
		<dc:creator>DantheMan</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:34:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19507</guid>
		<description>"You think that the smears and allegations from the Republicans and fake Democrats would cease just because another Democrat was endorsed? Get Real…"

- Yes, or at least the focus would be on the candidate's positions, which is where it should be.  Nothing wrong with making a big stink that you don't like where another candidate stands.  That is what debate is for.

"Norm Coleman has NOT helped Minnesota. He has supported a failed and bankrupt action in the middle east and has FAILED to hold investigative hearings into the practices of KBR."

- Norm Coleman has done an admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans.  Of course the leftmost 20% disagree with what he has made his key issues and most of his votes, but remember that not even a popular figure such as Wellstone ever actually carried 51% of an election.  Even the best have people disagree, and you happen to be on the wrong side of Coleman's work.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;You think that the smears and allegations from the Republicans and fake Democrats would cease just because another Democrat was endorsed? Get Real…&#8221;</p>
<p>- Yes, or at least the focus would be on the candidate&#8217;s positions, which is where it should be.  Nothing wrong with making a big stink that you don&#8217;t like where another candidate stands.  That is what debate is for.</p>
<p>&#8220;Norm Coleman has NOT helped Minnesota. He has supported a failed and bankrupt action in the middle east and has FAILED to hold investigative hearings into the practices of KBR.&#8221;</p>
<p>- Norm Coleman has done an admirable job for 80% of all Minnesotans.  Of course the leftmost 20% disagree with what he has made his key issues and most of his votes, but remember that not even a popular figure such as Wellstone ever actually carried 51% of an election.  Even the best have people disagree, and you happen to be on the wrong side of Coleman&#8217;s&nbsp;work.</p>
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		<title>By: lojasmo</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19500</link>
		<dc:creator>lojasmo</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:15:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19500</guid>
		<description>You know, the reason that Michael/Swiffer tend to duplicate their respective memes about the "problems" with Al's previous work as a comic?

It's because they have absolutely nothing of substance to add to the conversation.  If they are forced to debate the actual issues of who will act as an advocate for the people of Minnesota, they quickly leave the conversation.  Norm Coleman has NOT helped Minnesota.  He has supported a failed and bankrupt action in the middle east and has FAILED to hold investigative hearings into the practices of KBR.

And I would also like to thank our "liberal democrats" and sundry purity trolls here on MNpublius.  You make swiftee and MBroadkorb's jobs easier with your hanging on and clutching your collective pearls.

Bravo/brava!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You know, the reason that Michael/Swiffer tend to duplicate their respective memes about the &#8220;problems&#8221; with Al&#8217;s previous work as a comic?</p>
<p>It&#8217;s because they have absolutely nothing of substance to add to the conversation.  If they are forced to debate the actual issues of who will act as an advocate for the people of Minnesota, they quickly leave the conversation.  Norm Coleman has NOT helped Minnesota.  He has supported a failed and bankrupt action in the middle east and has FAILED to hold investigative hearings into the practices of KBR.</p>
<p>And I would also like to thank our &#8220;liberal democrats&#8221; and sundry purity trolls here on MNpublius.  You make swiftee and MBroadkorb&#8217;s jobs easier with your hanging on and clutching your collective pearls.&nbsp;Bravo/brava!</p>
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		<title>By: Demure One</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19495</link>
		<dc:creator>Demure One</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:31:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19495</guid>
		<description>Amuseinc,
I have pointed out in the past how tedious your homework assignments are - weird how you rarely hand them out to others. But then you are never going to entertain the thought that Franken is a really offensive candidate - his offensive messages now have the seal of approval of the Democratic Party - they are the Democratic party's messages too. It's not just a Minnesota DFL seal of approval - it is on a national level. Amazing what a major party will sacrifice, i.e., its reputation, for one person.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Amuseinc,<br />
I have pointed out in the past how tedious your homework assignments are - weird how you rarely hand them out to others. But then you are never going to entertain the thought that Franken is a really offensive candidate - his offensive messages now have the seal of approval of the Democratic Party - they are the Democratic party&#8217;s messages too. It&#8217;s not just a Minnesota DFL seal of approval - it is on a national level. Amazing what a major party will sacrifice, i.e., its reputation, for one&nbsp;person.</p>
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		<title>By: amuseinc</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19488</link>
		<dc:creator>amuseinc</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:01:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19488</guid>
		<description>What a joke are these Franken detractors! If Jack had won the endorsement we would have had Broadknob and the GOP being outraged over published work that was "too pacifist." "degrading to the American Military," and "completely out of step with the concerns of Minnesotans." You think that the smears and allegations from the Republicans and fake Democrats would cease just because another Democrat was endorsed? Get Real...


And Demure One I want a complete list of Minnesota Republican women leaders and how they are furthering the rights of women. I want to see a fair comparison of GOP leadership to DFL female leadership counts. You can start with Michelle Bachmen. I have yet to hear you say word one about John McCain making rape jokes... but a constant attack on Al Franken. May I suggest you talk to his wife and children about how badly you have mistaken the character of the man.

I find your whining unbearable when I see the strong female leadership in my local DFL as well as in the State Legislature and in the Senate. I'm male but not white and I find your complaints to be trumped up when compared to the GOP and certainly not reflected in the DFL I work with... is it possible that your problems with the DFL are about you and not your gender?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What a joke are these Franken detractors! If Jack had won the endorsement we would have had Broadknob and the GOP being outraged over published work that was &#8220;too pacifist.&#8221; &#8220;degrading to the American Military,&#8221; and &#8220;completely out of step with the concerns of Minnesotans.&#8221; You think that the smears and allegations from the Republicans and fake Democrats would cease just because another Democrat was endorsed? Get Real&#8230;</p>
<p>And Demure One I want a complete list of Minnesota Republican women leaders and how they are furthering the rights of women. I want to see a fair comparison of GOP leadership to DFL female leadership counts. You can start with Michelle Bachmen. I have yet to hear you say word one about John McCain making rape jokes&#8230; but a constant attack on Al Franken. May I suggest you talk to his wife and children about how badly you have mistaken the character of the man.</p>
<p>I find your whining unbearable when I see the strong female leadership in my local DFL as well as in the State Legislature and in the Senate. I&#8217;m male but not white and I find your complaints to be trumped up when compared to the GOP and certainly not reflected in the DFL I work with&#8230; is it possible that your problems with the DFL are about you and not your&nbsp;gender?</p>
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		<title>By: DantheMan</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19485</link>
		<dc:creator>DantheMan</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:56:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19485</guid>
		<description>Charley - 

You are very good at claiming the sky is falling.  Given what you describe, I'd think we are either in a nuclear holocaust or experiencing a famine of biblical proporations.

I think the point is that, while examining old Playboy articles isn't the best way to vet candidates, there surely are many good candidates we could choose from without having to accept that kind of baggage.  If Minnesota has a population of 5 million people, then I'd say we should expect that our crem de la crem, the top 1%, should be our pool that we choose from to send to DC.  That leaves 50,000 smart and driven people to choose from, maybe 10% of whom would even consider a career in politics.  So we're down to 5,000 possible candidates to do us proud in the Senate.

Of 5,000 of our best and brightest, surely we can find someone without Franken's question marks.  In a way, I wish JNP had gotten the endorsement so the debate could have actually been about the issues.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Charley - </p>
<p>You are very good at claiming the sky is falling.  Given what you describe, I&#8217;d think we are either in a nuclear holocaust or experiencing a famine of biblical proporations.</p>
<p>I think the point is that, while examining old Playboy articles isn&#8217;t the best way to vet candidates, there surely are many good candidates we could choose from without having to accept that kind of baggage.  If Minnesota has a population of 5 million people, then I&#8217;d say we should expect that our crem de la crem, the top 1%, should be our pool that we choose from to send to DC.  That leaves 50,000 smart and driven people to choose from, maybe 10% of whom would even consider a career in politics.  So we&#8217;re down to 5,000 possible candidates to do us proud in the Senate.</p>
<p>Of 5,000 of our best and brightest, surely we can find someone without Franken&#8217;s question marks.  In a way, I wish JNP had gotten the endorsement so the debate could have actually been about the&nbsp;issues.</p>
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		<title>By: attilla</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19484</link>
		<dc:creator>attilla</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:39:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19484</guid>
		<description>The Brodkorb-o-meter is flashing bright red.  Whenever he immediately gets in on an issue like this and tries to divert attention you know that Norm is in serious trouble.  Norm is a weasel.  This may be the smoking gun that looses Norm the election.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Brodkorb-o-meter is flashing bright red.  Whenever he immediately gets in on an issue like this and tries to divert attention you know that Norm is in serious trouble.  Norm is a weasel.  This may be the smoking gun that looses Norm the&nbsp;election.</p>
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		<title>By: Demure One</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19479</link>
		<dc:creator>Demure One</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:44:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19479</guid>
		<description>The most depressing thing about all of this is that the big-name backers of Franken, the McGoverns, the Wendell Andersons, all the DFL Franken endorsers in the state legislature, the State Auditor, fail to understand why running somebody who has published and profited from jokes that mock women and minorities causes harm -  it diminishes groups that are already demeaned by the political process. 
Franken cannot separate himself from his past. Does the DFL actually think it is a good thing to foist such a candidate on the public? Do they get that women and minorities, especially Asians who are a favorite Franken target, may not appreciate having a senator like Franken in office? Do they understand how depressing it is to open the paper and read another obnoxious quote from one of Al's skits or books? Do they get how that really does take away from ones self-esteem?
Every time a new revelation comes out about Franken's work his supporters rise up and argue what's the big deal, this was in the past, get a sense of humor. Many of the most vocal supporters are caucasian men who are never the butt of a Franken joke. 
I wish I could believe the people in power who support Franken understood how running Franken underscores a reality that the DFL needs to face: it isn't there for women and minorities the way it is for men. You don't have to go too far back to see this - just look at the 2003 legislative session where women's issues took a major hit. From there the DFL has periodically tried to improve things for women. 
When this is over, I seriously doubt the DFL leaders will have learned much...if Franken wins - there will be a huge sense of "see we can continue to run alpha-male candidates who have an enormous sense of entitlement" If Franken loses it will be blamed on people being too sensitive. Either way the DFL will continue to favor in-your-face alpha-males who are owed a favor over any other candidate who steps up. It's not about who will serve the people and the party platform best. It's about who has through financial contributions to the party earned the right to be the anointed one. Note - time put in on lowly jobs like answering the phone or doorknocking for a candidate don't count toward becoming the anointed one. 
Charley is right - we aren't going to get to the issues during the campaign. Do people think Franken will have a better chance of getting to the issues as a senator? Chances are when he is in office he will spend considerable time deflecting criticism from his humor too.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The most depressing thing about all of this is that the big-name backers of Franken, the McGoverns, the Wendell Andersons, all the DFL Franken endorsers in the state legislature, the State Auditor, fail to understand why running somebody who has published and profited from jokes that mock women and minorities causes harm -  it diminishes groups that are already demeaned by the political process.<br />
Franken cannot separate himself from his past. Does the DFL actually think it is a good thing to foist such a candidate on the public? Do they get that women and minorities, especially Asians who are a favorite Franken target, may not appreciate having a senator like Franken in office? Do they understand how depressing it is to open the paper and read another obnoxious quote from one of Al&#8217;s skits or books? Do they get how that really does take away from ones self-esteem?<br />
Every time a new revelation comes out about Franken&#8217;s work his supporters rise up and argue what&#8217;s the big deal, this was in the past, get a sense of humor. Many of the most vocal supporters are caucasian men who are never the butt of a Franken joke.<br />
I wish I could believe the people in power who support Franken understood how running Franken underscores a reality that the DFL needs to face: it isn&#8217;t there for women and minorities the way it is for men. You don&#8217;t have to go too far back to see this - just look at the 2003 legislative session where women&#8217;s issues took a major hit. From there the DFL has periodically tried to improve things for women.<br />
When this is over, I seriously doubt the DFL leaders will have learned much&#8230;if Franken wins - there will be a huge sense of &#8220;see we can continue to run alpha-male candidates who have an enormous sense of entitlement&#8221; If Franken loses it will be blamed on people being too sensitive. Either way the DFL will continue to favor in-your-face alpha-males who are owed a favor over any other candidate who steps up. It&#8217;s not about who will serve the people and the party platform best. It&#8217;s about who has through financial contributions to the party earned the right to be the anointed one. Note - time put in on lowly jobs like answering the phone or doorknocking for a candidate don&#8217;t count toward becoming the anointed one.<br />
Charley is right - we aren&#8217;t going to get to the issues during the campaign. Do people think Franken will have a better chance of getting to the issues as a senator? Chances are when he is in office he will spend considerable time deflecting criticism from his humor&nbsp;too.</p>
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		<title>By: blueJ</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19478</link>
		<dc:creator>blueJ</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:33:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19478</guid>
		<description>Republican operatives are trying mightily to divert the discussion away from the real issues. We don't have to indulge them.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Republican operatives are trying mightily to divert the discussion away from the real issues. We don&#8217;t have to indulge&nbsp;them.</p>
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		<title>By: integrityfirst</title>
		<link>http://mnpublius.com/2008/07/former-us-senator-george-mcgovern-on-hunger-franken/#comment-19476</link>
		<dc:creator>integrityfirst</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:18:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://mnpublius.com/?p=1538#comment-19476</guid>
		<description>When a campaign wants to avoid the issues that face the voters, it's usually its choice to do name calling and keep some non-issue in the forefront.  Keep an old article a comedian wrote in the voter's mind and they hope that voter will forget about their economic woes and the dismal record of the GOP. It's business as usual for the ol' GOP.  I agree it's time to get onto something important but I doubt that will happen with the mindset of writers like those above.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When a campaign wants to avoid the issues that face the voters, it&#8217;s usually its choice to do name calling and keep some non-issue in the forefront.  Keep an old article a comedian wrote in the voter&#8217;s mind and they hope that voter will forget about their economic woes and the dismal record of the GOP. It&#8217;s business as usual for the ol&#8217; GOP.  I agree it&#8217;s time to get onto something important but I doubt that will happen with the mindset of writers like those&nbsp;above.</p>
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