Subject: Running on all cylinders Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:28:00 From: Stephanie Schriock, Al Franken for Senate With Al’s strong debate performance at Farm Fest last week as well as wide coverage of some strong policy proposals, we are seeing signs of momentum at every turn. This week’s Rasmussen Poll showed the race continues to be a dead-heat but more importantly there is a growing sense of energy and enthusiasm around the campaign - allowing us to move forward in very aggressive ways. We have a specific trajectory to victory and given the past few weeks, we are exactly where we want to be moving into the general election.
As you may have seen, coverage of Al’s performance from the Farm Fest debate could not have been better for the first debate with Norm Coleman. News accounts revealed the potency of our campaign’s message. The Associated Press wrote, “Franken struck an aggressive tone from the outset, criticizing Coleman for taking contributions from oil companies.” Minnesota Public Radio noted, “from the start Franken went after Coleman with a familiar charge, that the senator is beholden to special interests, including the oil industry.” In-Forum news wrote, “At every turn during a Farm Fest forum Tuesday, the Democrat challenger accused Republican Coleman of siding with President Bush.” The Star Tribune described Franken as “aggressive from the start, criticizing Coleman for taking contributions from oil companies and repeatedly faulting him for his fealty to President Bush.”
Everyday that our campaign’s message frames the race - namely Norm Coleman’s fealty to George W. Bush and his selling out of Minnesotans to the special interests in Washington - we are one step closer to prevailing in November. At the same time, voters are learning that Al is an honest, passionate force for change who will fight everyday to help Minnesotans, strengthen the middle class.
From the Field
We now have 38 field offices open around the state and are fully integrated with the DFL’s robust voter organizing program. We have nightly phone banks and door knocks, aggressive volunteer mobilization efforts, and the building of an unprecedented get-out-the-vote campaign. This summer we have seen an outpouring of support from activists, community leaders, state elected officials – all of whom believe in Al, his message, and the need for Minnesota to be part of the change necessary in the United States Senate to advance the Democratic vision of opportunity, energy independence, and an end to the war in Iraq. Partnering with Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, we will bring more Democrats to the polls in Minnesota than ever before. Al looks forward to serving in the Senate and helping to promote and enact Obama’s vision for change.We are getting help from DFL members at all levels to help bring Al’s message of change to every corner of Minnesota. Two weeks ago, Congressman Ellison joined Al in North Minneapolis as he offered a new plan to help address the housing crisis. Senator Klobuchar and Congresswoman McCollum have both been extremely helpful and are hosting upcoming events in the Twin Cities. Congressman Peterson and Al campaigned together at Farm Fest and the campaign is working closely with Congressman Oberstar in the 8th CD and Congressman Walz in the 1st CD. Additionally, a number of great organizations have recently added their endorsement to a long list of support for Al’s Senate race including Planned Parenthood, Take Action, Acorn Votes, NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota. Next week Former Vice President Walter Mondale, former Sen. Mark Dayton, current Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Betty McCollum will host an event for the campaign in St. Paul.
Change happens online, too
Our campaign continues to be a leader in using innovative online technologies to organize our supporters, promote Al’s message of change, and raise the resources we need to win the most expensive Senate races in Minnesota history. For over a year and a half, Team Franken has been on the cutting edge of interactive online communications pushing the envelope the whole way. Our clever web-videos turn into online sensations, generating tens of thousands of views. Active Minnesota online communities like MNpublius and prominent national bloggers at sites like Huffington Post, DailyKos, and MyDD tout our ideas.Plans to help Minnesotans
On Wednesday, Al unveiled his plan to help Minnesotan consumers through the credit crisis. Everywhere he goes, Al discusses his plans for change and specific policies to help Minnesotans. Here’s a quick snapshot:STAR TRIBUNE: Franken outlines plan for homeowners headed for crisis
PIONEER PRESS: Franken pushes senior drug reforms
STAR TRIBUNE: Franken proposes consumer credit changes
MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO: Franken: Draw back more U.S. Iraqi funds
WCCO: Franken: Draw Back More U.S. Iraqi Funds
ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN: Franken speaks in Rochester about guaranteeing lifetime health care for vets
STAR TRIBUNE: Franken outlines plan for homeowners headed for crisis
ASSOCIATED PRESS: Franken Outlines Plan to Cut Energy CostsAs voters learn of his plans to change Washington and stand up for the middle class, they know Al will always stay loyal to Minnesotans. In fact today’s Washington Post reports, our campaign is now focused substance.
Doesn’t hurt when your opponent is playing defense
As a campaign veteran, I know one sign of success is when your opponent is spending time and resources explaining himself. And that’s exactly the position we have forced Senator Coleman to be in lately. Responding to our calls, he had to return $20,000 of contributions linked to indicted Senator Ted Stevens. Today’s Washington Post is reporting that “Sen. Norm Coleman (R) is going to continue to face questions in the coming months about his housing situation while in Washington.” Many questions remain about his sweetheart deal in Washington where he pays $600 per month to live in multi-million dollar house owned by a Washington insider connected to Republican lobbyists. A deal I bet a lot of young Capital Hill staff making $30,000/year bet they had access to.The DFL launched an aggressive program exposing Coleman’s loyalty to George W. Bush and the consequences of that loyalty to Minnesotans by sending a Bush character to each of Coleman’s campaign events across Minnesota. WCCO’S Pat Kessler reported this week that our calculation of Coleman having supported Bush nearly 90 percent of the time is ACCURATE while Coleman’s claim of being an independent Senator is only PARTLY TRUE. MinnPost’s Eric Black reported this week that Coleman’s position on Iraq is the same as that of George Bush. With George Bush’s carrying unprecedented low approval ratings in Minnesota, he continues to be an albatross around Coleman’s campaign.
Moving Forward
With a staff and volunteer network the likes of which Minnesota hasn’t seen before, the next 81 days present 81 additional opportunities for us to frame this race and deliver Al’s message of bold change to every corner of the state. We will continue to aggressively spotlight Norm’s sell-out of Minnesotans for his special interests friends and Al’s specific plans to help the middle class. Al Franken will remain loyal to Minnesotans everyday he serves in the United States Senate and that is why it is incredibly important to get him there.
The following email, originally from Franken campaign manager Stephanie Schriock, was forwarded to me from a DFLer close to the Franken campaign. I believe it was sent to Franken staff and some DFL staff. I think it is a good insight as to how the campaign is thinking an operating with 81 days to go:
I have to give credit to the Franken campaign… they really are trying hard appear on track. The “memo” reads as though it is a press release. Nice try, but I’m thinking this “memo” was never meant to remain internal.
Aaron: Even Team Franken admits you’re Team Franken’s embedded blogger at MN Publius:
“Active Minnesota online communities like MNpublius and prominent national bloggers at sites like Huffington Post, DailyKos, and MyDD tout our ideas.”
Congrats!
It’s funny to read Team Franken’s campaign manager claim they are “Running on all cylinders” when just a few days ago, one person attended their campaign event in St. Cloud.
What a joke.
And yet, the joke is not funny because Norm Coleman is going to be our Senator for the next 6 years.
Patrick: I agree - this was a press release, not an “internal memo.” Also, instead of “running on all cylinders”, Team Franken is “running like a three-legged horse”.
I think this article is spot on.
Michael, re: your “embedded blogger” obsession:
I think you should focus your time on some more persuasive spin.
Michael, B. Brodkorb, I agree 100%,
As most Minnesota Republicans have been doing for many years now, you spearhead the ridicule, insults, exagerrations, and smears of people who disagree with you that are so popular with Minnesota Republican bloggers.
Everyone knows the most important issue there is: a permanent election campaign. This is far and above any other issue in critical importance to a Minnesota Republican blogger, and winning is the only thing that matters.
That’s why you, Michael B. Brodkorb, need to continue to slalk the blogs of fellow Minnesotans whom you disagree with and insult, ridicule, exagerrate the positions of, and smear these moonbats who disagree with you on issues.
Everyone knows that is the only way the Minnesota Republican bloggers will be victorious this fall. Keep doing all those things so very, very well.
I’m sure you would agree we Minnesota Republican bloggers are well on our way to an easy victory this fall.
The end justifies the means, when the only thing that really matters is winning, nothing else.
Great Job Minnesota Republican blogger Michael B. Brodkorb!!
When is the “Norm’s Bimbos” story supposed to break?
“all cylinders” I agree. All 2 of them. You libs are hilarious.
Grow up MBB, you douche!
BRODKORB comes here to call OTHER people “jokes?” To STALK??????????
Man is that damn silly.
Does it hurt to sit & spin on your thumb, Michael Brodkorb?
Shouldn’t you be crapping in your OWN cage?
Judging from the trolls who visit here - this site must be doing very well!
Speaking of trolls,,, whatever happened to the doorknob swift?
It must truly suck for incumbent “moderate” senator Coleman to be in a dead heat with a former satirist with such “high negatives”. Oh well… That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
“Active Minnesota online communities like MNpublius and prominent national bloggers at sites like Huffington Post, DailyKos, and MyDD tout our ideas.”
EY: I don’t think this means Aaron is an embedded Franken blogger. I do think it means that the MN Publius Team, has always been willing to parrot the Franken talking points - and that’s all of them - not just Aaron - that’s Matt, Zach, and Aaron.
It’s interesting that the Franken campaign didn’t mention local lefty blogs - MN Campaign Report, MN Blue, MNPACT etc. All those have taken shots at Franken on occasion, though they remain united in opposing Coleman.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/minnesota/election_2008_minnesota_senate
Is this the tide turning?
Please read before I my opinion of Norm “Chicken-Hawk” Coleman is deleted
Why should Norm Coleman get elected so he can filibuster and vote against 80 Billion for healthcare, cut 40 Billion from Medicare and insult the Union Workers of Minnesota by not condemning the political ads in his name that calls Union Leaders Mafia Bosses.
Norm “Filibuster” Coleman unless it is Norm “Green Light” if you are going to Iraq and gets your head blown off Coleman.
Even though Norm Coleman was a coward to go to Vietnam you can do what he was a chicken to do. Why? Because he has new front teeth white and shiny to tell you die and not live, fight for 15 months, who cares about your families, old jobs, and children.
Norm did not do it so someone has to!!! I like calling it, anyone but Norm! Poor Wellstone!
Al do not fly 10 days before the Nov. General election if Norm Coleman’s name is still on the ballot!
History repeats-and Norm will do and say anything to win but we know that!
Norm thinks now he is a brave man making up for refusing to go to Vietnam, now by sending100,000’s of every ones kids and fathers and mothers to a winless war to get killed and injured in Iraq; that would make Norm a hero if we win.
Norm sent you there with his new nose” wonder why it does not keep growing as he speaks his version of the truth! PINOCCHIO Coleman.
Someday in the future when you go into every café in Minnesota and order eggs they will ask over ease or a flip flop Norm egg.
Dump the Norm by voting for Jack Shepard in GOP Primary and send him home so the Congress can get “Magic 60” and pass something
.
JACK SHEPARD WAS A GREAT GUY: http://www.jackshepardforsenate.com
1) SAVED THE WORKERS OF AMERICA, Al passed the Employee free Choice Act
2) HE HELPED THE UNINSURED OF AMERICA GET HEALTHCARE ,
3) THE GOT AL FRANKEN TO THE US SENATE SO AL HELPED GET MORE FUNDS FOR MEDICARE
4) ALL BECAUSE JACK SHEPARD BEAT NORM COLEMAN IN THE GOP PRIMARY ON SEPT. 9, 2008 SP AL FRANKEN COULD GET ELETED WITHOUT NORMCOLEMAN’S NAME IN THE GENERAL ELECTION = JUSTICE
5) AND NORM COLEMAN LOST IN HIS PRIMARY AND AL FRANKEN GOT ELECTED.- AND BECAME THE 60TH MEMBER OF THE US SENATE MAKING IT FILIBUSTER PROOF
6) AND MINNESOTANS STARTED TO LIVE HAPPILY WITH A GUY IN THE U.S. SENATE WHO WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE NOT TOOOF $15,000,000 FROM BIG BUSINESS TO WORK FOR THEM
Eva Eva Eva Airam.
I don’t know what your point was, but you convinced me - we need the do-nothing apologist Normy for 6 more years!
Let’s just keep screwing up the country with more of the same Bush sycophants!!!!
Takes two to tango. Why must the DFL keep backing candidates that are so obnoxious with little experience? Candidates who have no business running for the seat they are pursuing. Imagine Franken as a senator traveling outside of the USA…he will take with him all of the humor he has written, local papers will pick up on his slams about whatever culture he is going to see…efforts the US has taken to try to help women will be compromised by the fact that here is a US Senator who likes to fantasize about being serviced by fem-bots and more than one woman.
Please, do not respond with the “oh you want Norm” blather….I don’t. I want the DFL to grow up, start vetting candidates not on what they have done for the party in terms of generating revenue, but instead on their skills, dedication to core democratic principals, and their experience serving the public.
I want the DFL to grow up, start vetting candidates not on what they have done for the party in terms of generating revenue, but instead on their skills, dedication to core democratic principals, and their experience serving the public.
That sounds reasonable, all the way up to defining the DFL. We are the DFL and when the candidate that you support gets the nomination, will you be able to say, now, the DFL has grown up? Lord’s nonsense is now part of Coleman ads. That’s simply irresponsible on her part and her criticisms are ridiculous. The recent Rasmussen poll shows Franken drawing even with Coleman and the momentum is clearly on Franken’s side. So, take your pick, Franken and moving your position forward or Coleman for another six years.
“pursuing. Imagine Franken as a senator traveling outside of the USA…”
You mean like those 7 USO Tours Franken did? He did just fine. And the rest of the world is smart enough to recognize that Franken is a very smart man, unlike Dumbya, The Texas Fence Post Turtle you bootlickers have “representing” America.
And as far as those “Fem-Bots” stuff, just because you’re too (cheney)in’ stupid to recognize satire, doesn’t mean it isn’t satire - but it does mean that you’re not smart enough to put the discussion into a proper context.
Here’s what morons like you act like, concerning the subject. And since you’re not smart enough to figure it out, “The Colbert Report” is satire, makin’ fun of brain-dead republiCons - like you.
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=147893
If you don’t like who the Party endorsed then don’t work for them, don’t donate to their campaign and work within the Party to make sure your “hated” candidate does not get endorsed again. Those are all appropriate and traditional methods of beings a good DFLer.
What that foolish woman with the three names I can never remember is doing is not Party appropriate. Not single ad or statement from her has been, why she would be a better Senator than Al or Norm… it has just been some weird vendetta against Al Franken. Reminds me of someone but I have forgotten the screen name. I know that should I ever be asked to vote for her within the Party, I will actively work for her opponent. She has done more in a few weeks to dim the reputation of her father than I ever thought possible.
The DFL has endless levels of involvement, endless meetings, endless phone trees and contact opportunities… keep the Party business within the Party when dealing with an endorsed candidate. If you do not, you are just doing the Republicans work for them. This doesn’t seem to matter to these people, but I suggest that Party Members have long memories.
“What that foolish woman with the three names I can never remember is doing is not Party appropriate.”
She is offering a clear choice — Franken is a fool — he actually believes he can run for US Senate after a career of making money off of ripping into so many religions, cultures, and ethnicities.
Too many people don’t want the rest of the world to be exposed to clips of his really mean and misogynistic moments. And that will be what will happen. They don’t like Coleman - but they can’t send all of this hatred to DC.
Hey, Demure One….were you a delegate?
Yep….only to my SD convention - amazing the way the system works. It’s not about finding the candidate who is the most dedicated to progressive ideas. It’s not about having an open dialog or discussing public service records. It’s definitely not about who is electable. It’s about which candidate can get the most t-shirts on as many delegates as possible early on…it’s about which candidate can get his dedicated supporters to step up at the caucuses to be delegates so that there is no room for democracy - the deck is stacked from the very beginning. And based on my observations from my precint meeting there isn’t actually any attempt to make sure the delegates reflect the desires of the people in the room - kind of a major breakdown in the system eh? BTW the primary hasn’t happened yet. If we actually had a healthy democratic process the DFL candidates would be debating each other at least three times between now and then so the public could make an informed vote.
Strangely enough, the democratic process is decided by those who show up. Not really a ‘breakdown’ per se.
Ugh. DEMOCRATIC primary, then. Jebus.
PLF has not had one positive thing to say about herself. She is a stalking horse, nothing else.
lo, you heard where PLF is gettin’ her dough from?
Franken is a weak candidate, but Lord Farris is just a Republican tool. She’s not a viable option.
TPT
No. Republicans, I assume.
I assumed that, also. Toss her a few bones so she can run a TV ad, then take that ad and run it as a Team Smokescreen ad.
It’s dirty politics, but nothing else can be expected from the GreedOverPrinciples party.
I would like to agree with some of the more conservative people on this blog that this was obviously meant to be leaked, that being said I think that it is fairly true. Also isn’t Jim Janos Jesse Ventura’s birth-name, so either someone is pretending to be Jesse, or he himself is Secretly an Al Franken fan and wants him to win the race over our current “representative.”