The forces against Franken
Democrat Al Franken heads to this weekend's DFL Party Convention with some bumps, bruises and mud on him. He's been ripped by the GOP on his past writings in Playboy and his attempts at humor in a 1995 New York Magazine article (read story here). He's also been dinged by DFL members of Congress. DFL Reps. Tim Walz, Keith Ellison, Jim Oberstar and Betty McCollum have all criticized Franken's 2000 Playboy article. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum (who supported Mike Ciresi) has been the harshest. She just released this statement on Franken's comments in the 1995 New York Magazine article:
"It is appalling that anyone could characterize rape, a violent and horrible crime, as a joke."
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood's legislative director sent a letter to supporters criticizing Franken. Here's a snippet:
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
"We are very concerned by the misogynist remarks of some of these statements and find them degrading to women. We certainly support First Amendment rights of all Americans, but do believe these comments have gone beyond the bounds of what is appropriate for any candidate for elected office. If half of these allegations are true, it is very difficult for us to foresee the Planned Parenthood of Minnesota Action Fund Board endorsing the candidacy of anyone with such extreme perspectives."
(NOTE: Planned Parenthood's executive director issued a follow up statement saying it would be "premature" to comment about endorsements.)
Franken's campaign didn't directly address the criticism from Planned Parenthood or the GOP today. When the Planned Parenthood news broke, a Franken spokeswoman issued a statement of support from an official from the National Organization for Women. She released this statement on Franken's comments in the New York Magazine comments:
"Norm Coleman voted against funding for the Violence Against Women Act. He ought to be ashamed."
(NOTE: Coleman's camp disputes this statement saying he's voted for the bill and has been "fighting violence against women throughout his three decades of public service.)
Franken has spent the past 15 months running for the Senate. He has raised a tremendous amount of money ($9.3 million). He has been backed by some big names (like former VP Al Gore) and he's worked hard to elect DFL candidates in the last election cycle.
On paper, Franken appears to be a strong candidate. But what he's said in the paper (and on the radio) worries many DFL activists. They worry he'll die a death of a thousand paper cuts through a GOP drip drip drip of old comments. AP's Brian Bakst confirms the GOP strategy with this nugget on the New York Magazine article:
"Republican Party spokesman Mark Drake acknowledged that the article has been in party hands for some time, but was held back until now. He wouldn't say what other material the party has in the pipeline."
Some (including Franken supporters) don't think Franken can muster enough support to defeat GOP incumbent Norm Coleman in November. They're also worried that down the ballot candidates will be forced to explain Franken's past comments. Remember, the business of political campaigns is to win elections.
Question(s) of the Day:
Do voters care about Franken's past comments?
Does this DFL criticism help Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer win the endorsement?
Does it prompt Mike Ciresi to get back into the race?
Does it make Franken a better candidate in November?
Is Norm Coleman resting easy?
Discuss...