Minn. Democrats Pick Al Franken For Senate

Nomination Of Comedian Sets Up Long-Anticipated Showdown With GOP's Sen. Norm Coleman

(AP)  Comedian Al Franken grabbed the Democratic nomination Tuesday for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, setting up a showdown with Republican Sen. Norm Coleman that had been years in the making.

Franken, who gained fame as a "Saturday Night Live" cast member, easily beat six other candidates chasing the Democratic nod. Coleman trounced his only opponent, an expatriate living in Italy.

They'll share the ballot with Dean Barkley of the Independence Party, which has factored into the outcome of some statewide races in recent elections. Barkley, who topped six primary opponents, was briefly in the Senate in 2002 when he was appointed by then-Gov. Jesse Ventura to complete the late Paul Wellstone's term.

Franken began his bid 19 months ago, but had been building toward a run long before that. He already has sunk millions of dollars into the race. So has Coleman. And the campaign was bareknuckled from the start.

"Norm Coleman has become Washington," Franken said. "He plays a little game. He takes checks for hundreds of thousands from the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies and the oil companies and he's received more money from those industries than any politician in the history of Minnesota politics.

"He's the Washington guy and I'm going to be fighting for Minnesotans," Franken added.

Coleman sought to make the race about experience - his time in public office versus Franken's lack of service in elective office.

"Minnesotans have a clear choice on experience," Coleman said. "Minnesotans have a clear choice in terms of record of working with others."

Franken's celebrity both helped and hurt him in the leadup to Tuesday. His coast-to-coast recognition enabled him to amass an impressive bankroll for a first-time candidate, but archives full of racy material provided ammunition to Republicans and his most visible Democratic rival, attorney Priscilla Lord Faris.

Lord Faris, part of a well-regarded family in state Democratic politics, criticized Franken for "angry and offensive public behavior" and said he'd be too easy a target for Coleman and his allies.

She jumped into the race on the last day of filing in July, but still managed to take some glow off Franken's victory. With two-thirds of precincts reporting, he had 66 percent of the vote to Lord Faris' 29 percent.

Franken had the party brass behind him after winning the Democratic endorsement in June. Despite attracting six Democratic opponents, Franken put his whole focus on Coleman.

Brian Davis secured the Republican nomination in southern Minnesota to go up against Rep. Tim Walz, who rode a Democratic tidal wave into Congress in 2006. Davis, a physician, had the GOP endorsement and came out ahead of state Sen. Dick Day.

Much of the election action involved seats in the Minnesota Legislature. Twenty-seven primaries were needed to whittle down the fields for state House seats and there was one state Senate vacancy that needed sorting out. The highlights:

In Anoka, six-term Rep. Jim Abeler beat back a fellow Republican, Don Huizenga, who went after Abeler for supporting a transportation bill with several tax increases, which was enacted over Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto.

In Bloomington, the transportation veto override doomed Republican Rep. Neil Peterson, who supported the bill. Consultant Jan Schneider defeated him.

In Minneapolis, first-term Rep. Augustine "Willie" Dominguez lost to Democratic challenger Bobbie Joe Champion, whose candidacy was embraced by some big names in local politics.

Duluth City Council President Roger Reinert topped four other Democrats in the hunt for a seat being vacated by 16-term Rep. Mike Jaros. His ticket was all but punched for St. Paul, judging by the easy victories Jaros routinely had in the DFL stronghold.

State Rep. Mark Olson, hamstrung by a 2007 domestic assault conviction, failed in his attempt to gain the GOP nomination for a vacant state Senate seat. He couldn't convert on his party's endorsement after many top Republicans rallied behind his opponent, Alison Krueger. Incumbent Sen. Betsy Wergin of Princeton gave up the seat to accept a position on the Public Utilities Commission.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Add a Comment See all 20 Comments

by 5errr September 12, 2008 3:02 PM EDT

he''s got some good ideas.

Reply to this comment

by oceancal September 11, 2008 7:33 PM EDT

Congrats Al!!!

Now pay your TAXES scumball.

OC

Reply to this comment

by libluv2whine September 11, 2008 6:44 PM EDT

Is it just me or are most Republicans mad at everybody who is not in lockstep (or goose step with them?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lasercat at 03:41 PM : Sep 10, 2008
+ report abuse


******************

the democrats prefer thier crowds in g@y parades and flag burnings.

Reply to this comment

by lasercat-2009 September 10, 2008 6:41 PM EDT

Is it just me or are most Republicans mad at everybody who is not in lockstep (or goose step with them?

Reply to this comment

by blueskypie September 10, 2008 6:34 PM EDT

Spread the word, go register to vote Democrat by October 30th and be a part of a party who includes all races of people and religions, not the republican party who only includes one race and one religion. Go Democrats!!!

Reply to this comment

by pekopper-2009 September 10, 2008 4:46 PM EDT

Yeh, Coleman has the experience all-right... sucking up to huge corporations and taking their money in order to keep the people he says he represents dumb, stupid and broke. He has the experience to be one of the biggestshake-down artists in history. When will the people wake up to these idiots already...

Reply to this comment

by far_point200 September 10, 2008 4:35 PM EDT

Yeah, vote for Franken!

That just what we need in the US Senate, more comedians!

Reply to this comment

by zhynaryll September 10, 2008 4:07 PM EDT

Where''s Jesse when you need him??

Reply to this comment

by superdem September 10, 2008 1:52 PM EDT

They say Neanderthals became extinct - not true. They walk among us, and they are REPUBLICANS. Just read what the knuckle draggers write on these posts. Sigh...it''s like the dark ages in America. I know, I know, if you don''t like it, leave. I''m definitely thinking about it.

Reply to this comment

by republic1776 September 10, 2008 1:20 PM EDT

Al Franken,
How could they elect an idiot!
I guess Paris Hilton could win in Minn.
Minn. must be under the influence of HolyWeird

Reply to this comment

by rockcutr September 10, 2008 1:17 PM EDT

Al Franken for State Senator is no surprise from
"The Land of 10,000 Taxes."
So glad to not live there anymore. But, always a source of entertainment. Long gone are the days of Hubert H. H.. Let us not underestimate the intelegence of Mr. Franken. There is a thing about comedy which politics tries hard to avoid. Comedy is all about speaking the absolute truth, often the most funny stuff. Then there is another blatent truth. Politics is just a joke. Words and no action. On the upside. A refreshing truth telling politician of a clear intelligent advantage just may get things done in Washingtowne. No mistake, the Capital needs a good washing. Clear off the Oil scum and go back to work for the people as our Fore Fathers intended. For the Democracy for which it stands. As Republicans only know how to create trillions of debt. Fire them all!

Reply to this comment

by fugdabug September 10, 2008 1:06 PM EDT

I don''t know who these detractor comments come from, but as someone who was Al Franken''s delegate to two regional conventions here in Minnesota, I can say: Let''s see what the Republicans throw at him. Al talks facts, the Republicans can only talk swear-words, dirty names and muck! Been that way since GW''s daddy got to running... No Al Franken, is the real thing. And he is our CANDIDATE for the DEMOCRATIC SEAT! GO AL FRANKEN!!! GO Minnesota, home of folks that care about what happens to AMERICA!!!

Reply to this comment

by thevicar1 September 10, 2008 12:40 PM EDT

And all along you thought the craziest thing Minnesota would ever do was electing a Pro Wrestler as Governor!


Franken makes Jesse-the-Body look like a good idea!!!

Reply to this comment

by realpatriot1 September 10, 2008 12:18 PM EDT

I''m good enough, I''m smart enough, and people like me.

I''ve got 3 things going for me that Norm Coleman doesn''t.

Reply to this comment

by fsw3 September 10, 2008 11:49 AM EDT

LIVE FROM MINNESOTA IT''S AL FRANKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply to this comment

by john43218 September 10, 2008 11:42 AM EDT

Al Franken? Al Franken?!

Wow, unbelievable.

Reply to this comment

by jmurrieta11 September 10, 2008 11:35 AM EDT

Now that McCain ignored Tim Pawlenty and chose Bushpilot Barbie as his VP, Dem coattails will be LONG in Minnesota. And Norm, while not as rabid as Palin, has been a steady supporter of George Bush (George Who?), he is ripe for a fall.

Reply to this comment

by rational_1 September 10, 2008 11:30 AM EDT

OMG, Minnesota selected Stuart Smalley as the Dem candidate. ''I''m Good Enough, I''m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! Ha ha ha... I guess ol'' Stuart was right, some people must like him. Hope Al''s smarter than the typical Hollywood denizen, or he''ll get eaten alive in the political arena.

Reply to this comment

by cattlekate September 10, 2008 11:22 AM EDT

Posted by Credibility2 at 07:17 AM : Sep 10, 2008

Have you read Al''s books? They make sense. He was one of the first to expose Bush&Co and did the job our Fourth Estate was unwilling to do.

Reply to this comment

by credibility2 September 10, 2008 10:17 AM EDT

Looks like the Dems are at it again in MN. This state will pick anyone to run against a Repub. Little to no thought of consequence.

Reply to this comment

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[5errr]

he''s got some good ideas.

[oceancal]

Congrats Al!!!

Now pay your TAXES scumball.

OC

[libluv2whine]

Is it just me or are most Republicans mad at everybody who is not in lockstep (or goose step with them?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lasercat at 03:41 PM : Sep 10, 2008
+ report abuse


******************

the democrats prefer thier crowds in g@y parades and flag burnings.

[lasercat-2009]

Is it just me or are most Republicans mad at everybody who is not in lockstep (or goose step with them?

[blueskypie]

Spread the word, go register to vote Democrat by October 30th and be a part of a party who includes all races of people and religions, not the republican party who only includes one race and one religion. Go Democrats!!!

[pekopper-2009]

Yeh, Coleman has the experience all-right... sucking up to huge corporations and taking their money in order to keep the people he says he represents dumb, stupid and broke. He has the experience to be one of the biggestshake-down artists in history. When will the people wake up to these idiots already...

[far_point200]

Yeah, vote for Franken!

That just what we need in the US Senate, more comedians!

[zhynaryll]

Where''s Jesse when you need him??

[superdem]

They say Neanderthals became extinct - not true. They walk among us, and they are REPUBLICANS. Just read what the knuckle draggers write on these posts. Sigh...it''s like the dark ages in America. I know, I know, if you don''t like it, leave. I''m definitely thinking about it.

[republic1776]

Al Franken,
How could they elect an idiot!
I guess Paris Hilton could win in Minn.
Minn. must be under the influence of HolyWeird

[rockcutr]

Al Franken for State Senator is no surprise from
"The Land of 10,000 Taxes."
So glad to not live there anymore. But, always a source of entertainment. Long gone are the days of Hubert H. H.. Let us not underestimate the intelegence of Mr. Franken. There is a thing about comedy which politics tries hard to avoid. Comedy is all about speaking the absolute truth, often the most funny stuff. Then there is another blatent truth. Politics is just a joke. Words and no action. On the upside. A refreshing truth telling politician of a clear intelligent advantage just may get things done in Washingtowne. No mistake, the Capital needs a good washing. Clear off the Oil scum and go back to work for the people as our Fore Fathers intended. For the Democracy for which it stands. As Republicans only know how to create trillions of debt. Fire them all!

[fugdabug]

I don''t know who these detractor comments come from, but as someone who was Al Franken''s delegate to two regional conventions here in Minnesota, I can say: Let''s see what the Republicans throw at him. Al talks facts, the Republicans can only talk swear-words, dirty names and muck! Been that way since GW''s daddy got to running... No Al Franken, is the real thing. And he is our CANDIDATE for the DEMOCRATIC SEAT! GO AL FRANKEN!!! GO Minnesota, home of folks that care about what happens to AMERICA!!!

[thevicar1]

And all along you thought the craziest thing Minnesota would ever do was electing a Pro Wrestler as Governor!


Franken makes Jesse-the-Body look like a good idea!!!

[realpatriot1]

I''m good enough, I''m smart enough, and people like me.

I''ve got 3 things going for me that Norm Coleman doesn''t.

[fsw3]

LIVE FROM MINNESOTA IT''S AL FRANKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[john43218]

Al Franken? Al Franken?!

Wow, unbelievable.

[jmurrieta11]

Now that McCain ignored Tim Pawlenty and chose Bushpilot Barbie as his VP, Dem coattails will be LONG in Minnesota. And Norm, while not as rabid as Palin, has been a steady supporter of George Bush (George Who?), he is ripe for a fall.

[rational_1]

OMG, Minnesota selected Stuart Smalley as the Dem candidate. ''I''m Good Enough, I''m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! Ha ha ha... I guess ol'' Stuart was right, some people must like him. Hope Al''s smarter than the typical Hollywood denizen, or he''ll get eaten alive in the political arena.

[cattlekate]

Posted by Credibility2 at 07:17 AM : Sep 10, 2008

Have you read Al''s books? They make sense. He was one of the first to expose Bush&Co and did the job our Fourth Estate was unwilling to do.

[credibility2]

Looks like the Dems are at it again in MN. This state will pick anyone to run against a Repub. Little to no thought of consequence.