I am saddened that Al is not doing better. Minnesota was so progressive when I lived there. I don't get it. Coleman is no prize.

I wish that Minnesota Democrats had come up with a seasoned politician to take on Norm Coleman, instead of a completely untested amateur. Mr. Franklin is
a terrible speech maker.

I imagine those Republicans only bought those playboys for the articles.

The republicans hit Jim Webb with some of the 'dirty' stuff he'd written in his books, and Jim Webb told 'em all to fuck off. Jim Webb won the election. Coincidence?

I think it's a little unfair that Franken is getting bashed over this stuff. The guy is a comedian.

I don't think he should apologize, he should say something like

"I'm not the one bringing this stuff into the public forum. It's ironic that the party championing family values is so eager to wage a pornographic campaign. My commitment to and respect for women is ironclad and I'm not going to let anyone challenge it (insert list of his views on women).

But the real joke here is Norm Coleman's support for tax cuts for the rich that have bankrupted us, and the war in Iraq. Norm Coleman wants to do everything he can to take those issues out of the debate, but I say you shouldn't let him. That's what's at stake in this election"

That type of thing.

Al has a tight race ahead of him, he just needs to hammer Coleman on his horrible record in the Senate, 90% with Bush last year. I believe.

Also the fact Coleman hasn't had ONE hearing on war profiteering as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Truman had meetings well into the HUNDREDS when he had the same position.

Coleman should be ashamed. Our tax money has been pissed away and he doesn't do a darn thing about it.

I think Al will be okay. Apologizing for this was probably the right thing to do. With Obama on the ticket he can pull this off.

Unfortunately, Al is too nice a guy to point out Coleman's liasons in Washington with other women and the gossip around the Twin Cities that Coleman beats his wife (she has shown up at several E.R.s around town with facial contusions, a different one each time). To say nothing of the fact Coleman is a huge flip-flopper- he protested the Vietnam war in the 60's. Oh, and he lived in CA before he moved to MN.

Couldn't agree more, del moi. Seriously, all this hand-wringing about Franken is WAY premature. Even as an amateur, his quick hit response was pretty well done. Let's cut the guy a little slack -- Norm Coleman is not going to be re-elected (no matter how many times he tried to reverse field and distance himself from Bush over the past 18 months or so).

but recently started closing in on GOP incumbent Norm Coleman again.

O goody.

This faux outrage from the Repugs is wearing thin.

I just lost all respect for Amy Klobuchar.

That said, I've never liked the idea of Franken being the Dem in this race. Minnesota should have been the lowest hanging apple for us to pick off, but instead it's a nail-biter and I am not at all convinced we're going to win it. Dems in MN should have been able to plug just about anyone into this race and destroy Coleman.

Very sad if we lose this one.

Al Franken was the best choice out all the candidates this year.

No new Hillary thread in the past ninety minutes. What the hell is going on. I am starting to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. I am not ready to handle going cold turkey on breaking my TPM Hillary Crack habit.

A rather disappointing concession. Minnesotans ought to reject the current wave of McCarthyism directed at Al Franken.

I love this ad....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-bLcv7bs84

A Feingold-esque ad campaign like this is the ticket. Al will be fine once he kicks his campaign into high gear towards the end of the summer.

I'd just like to point out to everyone bashing the Minnesota Democratic Party (or DFL, Democratic-Farmer-Labor) on this site for "choosing" Franken the simple fact that:

HE HAS NOT BEEN CHOSEN NOR ENDORSED YET.

In fact, as we speak, the DFL is in Rochester conducting their convention. From what I have read, there is no guarantee he is going to get the endorsement. Check for your self on mnpublius.com.

In addition, Minnesota's DFL may endorse at their Convention or not. Either way, that does not prevent the Endorsee from facing a primary challenger, which I believe, in Minnesota, takes place on 12 September.

In fact, this situation occurred in 2006 for the Governor's mansion. The DFL endorsed one candidate, and the other challenged and beat him at the Primary late in the season. Of course, the end result of these shenanigans was:

Governor Tim Pawlenty being re-elected by the slimmest of margins; now being heavily considered for McCain's running mate.

Please, people, think/research before you write.

Not to be an ass but the other two candidates are sure losers. IMHO.

No fundraising potential. No excitement.

Erik, TPM would be well served if you were to remind the public, Minnesotans in particular, about Coleman's phony "Food For Oil" hearings. Let the public know what a real Bush boot licker Coleman really is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrdFFCnYtbk

I gave Al $50. That was my limit, because I live in TN, not MN. I probably get a solicitation for more money twice a week. Not a good sign.

I would like to add a few things to what Angry Vet said re bashing Minnesota.

1) The 2002 Loss of Wellstone's seat to Coleman was truly heartbreaking. But it was a highly unusual election not indicative of much. Wellstone was wining even with his strong antiwar stance at the HEIGHT of prewar patriotism. In the wake of his tragic death, Mondale stood in as a candidate at the last moment with a minimal organization. And for those that don't remember, one of Wellstone's long time friends and staff members got carried away by grief during his memorial service asking republicans and democrats to come together and support Mondale during the election. Republican outrage over turning a bipartisan memorial into a campaign event dominated local and national news for many cycles and mondale lost by a whisker.

Had Wellstone not died, or died sooner so Mondale's campaign could be organized, or the memorial not have been hijacked, We most likely would not have lost that seat.

2) In the 2004 presidential election,I believe Minnesota was one of few states where democrats actually increased their margin of victory over the 2000 elections.

3)Ventura - That was also a bit of an anomoly. Ventura won with 37% of the vote against Norm Coleman and Skip Humphrey. I'd submit he was far from our worst governor. He was reasonably progressive when he wasnt trying to convince us the CIA was spying on him or opening up pristine wildlife areas to ATVs.

Sigh. Al. Al. Al . . . Due to to generations of sustained inbreeding, Republicans are genetically and physically incapable of feeling actual offense at anything . . . No one should know this better than the author of your books . . . YOU!

Appoligizing for this bullshit is being trapped into playing THEIR game. Knock it the hell off and focus on kicking the posterior padded region of one of the world's most vile simps, Coleman.

Do you know who the Minnesota Republican Party invited to come speak at their state convention last weekend?

Karl Rove.

Now THAT is fucking obscene.