Blue Majority: Al Franken for Minnesota Senate

by: Chris Bowers

Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 16:30


Today, it is with great excitement that I am able to announce that Al Franken has been added to the Blue Majority Act Blue page that is collectively maintained by Dailykos, MyDD, Swing State Project and Open Left.

Last month, in a post on Open Left, I wondered if Al Franken was the best example of a progressive movement candidate we had seen to date, given that his campaign is overwhelmingly people powered (over 45,000 donors so far), he passed the "bar fight primary" with flying colors (more than willing to take the fight to Republicans), he comfortably and repeatedly self-identifies as a progressive, and that he came into politics as an outsider, specifically from progressive media. The response I received to that post was almost universally positive, and while I don't know if he is the very best example, he clearly is an excellent case, and so I urge you to contribute to Al Franken on the Blue Majority Page. Let's build the progressive movement together by supporting a first-rate movement candidate.

Today is a particularly appropriate time for us to make this endorsement because, as Jonathan Singer has noted, George Bush is in Minnesota raising money for endangered Republican incumbent Norm Coleman.  Tying himself further to George Bush will only push Coleman's already low approval ratings in the state even lower, and make him more vulnerable than he already is. Progressives in the state are countering Bush's visit through a variety of actions, including protests coordinated by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, and by the Franken campaign itself looking to counter Coleman's big money fundraiser with small donor, people-powered energy:



Let's be a part of this effort. With his connections to George Bush, there is an opportunity to knock Coleman all but out of the race in 2007, the way Rick Santorum was all but defeated by a progressive swarm against him in 2005.

As a final note, I want to mention that while Al Franken is involved in a competitive primary in Minneosta, this endorsement comes entirely because Al is so fantastic, not because his primary opponents are clearly defective in any way. Al is a Democrat who I believe will never let us down, and always make us proud. He comes from the progressive movement, and will take the fight to Republicans. He is exactly the sort of candidate many of us have looked for these past few, and we are happy to reward that with our support in and of itself, not just relative to other candidates in the campaign. It certainly is great to make an endorsement for someone, rather than against someone else.

Update (Adam): Al gives some shout-out love and thanks to OL.com and you all for the help. Keep giving!
Chris Bowers :: Blue Majority: Al Franken for Minnesota Senate

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Blue Majority: Al Franken for Minnesota Senate | 12 comments
Some have reservations (0.00 / 0)
My MN friends are less than enthusiastic about Franken -- great candidates have to interact with people. Franken is good on stage, but apparently not so good at the meet and greet thing. In the DFL, you have to do that retail stuff too.

They are open minded and certainly on board with the DFL candidate in the general, but not Franken enthusiasts.

Somebody has to get rid of Coleman, whoever that is.

Can it happen here?

well, (0.00 / 0)
I am not supporting anyone yet, but to Franken's credit I have to disagree with you on his ability to interact with people.

I've met him a number of times out in different parts of the state now, and each time I was able to chat with him. He was very approachable and interacted better than most politicians.  I was actually surprised by this, and that is why I take note of it.

On top of that, he has been going to very small gatherings of people for months now, people who don't have money or power, just real people.  He is doing this thing up right, that and he has been to the local chapter of Drinking Liberally at least once.

I still have my concerns, which are big enough for me not to get behind him yet, that and I am trying not to choose anyone yet intentionally, but he's doing all the right things.

-jason The UpTake

[ Parent ]
That's (0.00 / 0)
a great video.  It certainly plays to his strengths in terms of the humor, but he really shows that he's a substantive guy and a serious candidate.

'Senator Franken' still sounds a little too good to be true, but based on this video, at least, and his fundraising numbers, he certainly seems to be doing what needs to be done.

I support John McCain because children are too healthy anyway.

Words seldom seen in the same sentence (0.00 / 0)
Excitement and Al Franken, that is.

He should fit right in in the Senate...

AWSOME!!! (0.00 / 0)
I've been waiting for this announcement. I like Mr. Franken a lot and think he would be an excellent Senator for any state. He's been to Iraq more times than most members of congress. Also he's witty and honest which will be refreshing change for the Senate.

End this war. Stop John McCain. Cindy McCain is filthy rich.
I liked the video (0.00 / 0)
but there is a PAC that wants you to take the environment seriously--the Sierra Club's.  There is a PAC that doesn't want you to trample on civil liberties--that belonging to the ACLU.  Neither is as well funded or organized as many of the forces lined up against them, but they do exist
aclu (0.00 / 0)
Do they have a PAC?
[ Parent ]
Coleman is no Santorum (0.00 / 0)
He will be a tough opponent - and that's why Al Franken should be the DFL candidate.  I don't believe that Mike Ciresi is up to the challenge.  With Franken on the ballot, it will be difficult for another party (and MN is "alternative party friendly") to put up a candidate to the left of the DFL. Any Independence Party candidate will, I believe, hurt Coleman.

This is gonna be a good campaign - if you like the sport of politics.


"It sounds wrong...
     ...but its right."

Co-opted (0.00 / 0)
From an outsider's perspective, seems like the folks behind Blue Majority have been co-opted by Franken. Franken used his perch at Air America to give these bloggers national exposure.  Now, they have returned the favor by endorsing him.

I think its okay to endorse someone in a primary, but you have to have some reasons.  The post announcing the support for Franken seems devoid of any other than that Al wins "the barfight primary"

Franken's position on Iraq (0.00 / 0)
Where is he at these days on that?

I know he has admitted he was wrong in 2003, but where is he on the surge, and withdrawal, and a timeline?

Why Franken, why so early? (0.00 / 0)
I have posted a diary about this endorsement decision at Daily Kos, and would encourage Open Left readers to check it out.

Chris, my apologies if my comments at Kos seemed intemperate. After all, you invited me into BlogAds and I made some money from your work and I do appreciate that and all the work you have done on behalf of the Netroots.

But I have to ask why? Why Franken OVER Ciresi? Why so early? Why get involved in this race at all?

This kind of interference in local races is NOT what I thought your movement was about. I thought you were about stopping the DINOs and Republicans. Mike Ciresi is very obviously neither. I think you owe it to us netizens in Minnesota to be more transparent about your selection process in this matter.

I was very happy to stay on the fence in this one with two great candidates to pick from, and I live in St. Paul. I honestly don't know of any MN blogs that have endorsed yet on either side. Why is BM/AB so eager to get into this race? Aren't there still plenty of DINOs out there who need to hear from you?

When Democrats fight, they win elections.

Jumping the Gun (0.00 / 0)
While Al Franken seems like a fine candidate, there are still questions like

* does Al believe that we have the wrong strategy by using war or does he believe that Bush just implimented war poorly

* SINGLE PAYER universal health care not just universal health care

* public financing of campaigns

* total transparency in government with no earmarks

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is stilling considering running with excellent progressive credentials and Mike Ciresi is also running with progressive credentials. Why just Al?

How dare you pick for us Minnesota Progressives!

Blue Majority: Al Franken for Minnesota Senate | 12 comments
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