Now, I now there is a contested primary, and I admit to not knowing much about Mike Ciresi, but I think there are a number of reasons that the progressive movement should back Al Franken in this campaign. Actually, considering Franken's enormous small donor base, the progressive movement already seems to be backing Al Franken, so I am probably late to the party on this one. Still, I wanted to lay out the case for why Al might be the best example of a movement candidate we have seen run for US Senate since, well, maybe Paul Wellstone, who held this same seat until his untimely death in 2002.
Progressive media is progressive movement. One of the clearest signs of the growth of the progressive movement over the past several years has been the growth of progressive media, especially online, in books, on radio and in film. Through his radio show on Air America, his several best selling books, and even his movie last year, Al Franken has been at the center of that growth for some time. He emerged as a political figure through progressive media, and thus through the progressive movement. Not only would this make him one of the few federal candidates to emerge through the progressive movement, it would also make him the first figure from progressive media, like ever, to hold federal office. For decades, right-wing media figures have been running for public office, and even though their victories are rare, they have often garnered significant support (consider Pat Bucahnnan's 1992 and 1996 presidential runs as examples). If Franken were to win, or even come close, it would thus be a watershed moment in the history of the progressive movement.
Passes Bar Fight Primary Test With Flying Colors. Matt's formulation of "The Bar Fight Primary," is, I think, still an excellent way of looking for movement candidates. Who will stand with the progressives and with the movement when the right-wing attack machine gears up, and the slime really hits the fan? Who will push back against conservative attacks, and give as good as s/he gets? Given that he has titled his books include titles like Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, I think we know where he stands on that front. In fact, there might not be a Democrat out there who will give back as good as Franken both can, and will.
A Self-Identified Progresive. I was looking over Al Franken's videos on YouTube, and he self-identifies as progressive-a lot. He isn't afraid to identify himself as a progressive, which is important. As I argued in the recent past, if you can't say it, you can't do it.
Huge Small Donor Base. So far, Al Franken has raised more money than anyone running against an incumbent US Senator at this point in the election cycle, ever (the previous first year, second quarter record was held by Bob Casey against Rick Santorum). Not only that, but he has done it with an enormous small donor base, and an average contribution of only $65:
From April 1 to June 30 Franken raised $1.9 million, bringing his cycle to date total to $3.3 million raised. He ended June with $2 million in the bank. As impressive, more than 36,000 donors have given to his campaign with an average contribution of just $65.
To put this in perspective, Franken has as many donors as Bill Richardson, who is running for President. And it is only July 2007.
New to the political scene. Like many figures in the media and grassroots portions of the progressive movement, Al Franken has come to politics after spending most of his career in other fields. This is key for several reasons. First, it gives him a broader perspective outside the world of politics. Second, it will probably improve his chances of winning, since an anti-Washington mood is growing around the country. Third, it means he enters professional politics with the same, or at least similar, set of post-1998 assumptions that are seen throughout the Open Left: the need to take Republicans head on instead of triangulating, the need to self-identify as a progressive, the need to build media and the movement, the need to connect to the grassroots, and the need to incorporate humor and joy into an extremely cynical process. His public demeanor is very similar to one that is often visible in many corners of the progressive blogosphere.
Al Franken really seems about as close to the model of a progressive movement candidate as we have witnessed. I guess that isn't too much of a surprise, since he is actually someone that many of us Gen X bloggers grew up watching on Saturday Night Live, thus serving as a portion of some of our formative political outlooks. What does surprise me is that it now seems clear he has a good chance of actually winning. I always thought Franken was a smart, hard-working guy, but with a lot of money in the bank, a grassroots movement behind him, an unpopular incumbent, polls trending in his direction, lots of experience in the public eye, and an outsider, progressive attitude that should play well in 2008, he can really win this thing. If he does, it might end up being the best example of a progressive movement electoral victory, ever. At least right now, I intend to help him pull off that remarkable feat. Al Franken for Senate!.
What do others think? Am I being over-exuberant here? Is there something I am missing? Fraken seems like the real deal.
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