Despite "fretting by some activists" over his "often edgy career" and "controversy" over his "sometimes sexually explicit humor," entertainer Al Franken (D) "took the DFL endorsement" on "the first ballot" 6/7, besting '06 MN-05 candidate/St. Thomas Univ. prof. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer (D) at the annual DFL convo in Rochester.
Franken "tackled" the kerfuffle 6/6 over a "soft-porn parody" written for Playboy in '00 and an earlier skit "involving an imagined rape" with "the outright apology that many had been waiting for" (Lopez/Duchschere, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8). Franken: "It kills me that things I said and wrote sent a message to some of my friends in this room and the people in this state that they can't count on me to be a champion for women... I'm sorry for that because that's not who I am."
On the first ballot of the, Franken "earned the support of 61.8% of the delegates compared with Nelson-Pallmeyer's 35.3%," exceeding "the 60% threshold needed for endorsement" (Wente, Grand Forks Herald, 6/8).
Franken's speedy endorsement "surprised many delegates," concerned "the battle might drag out after a week of negative publicity" generated by GOPers over Franken's "more salacious sketches" (Duchschere/Kaszuba, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8). Franken's "direct mea culpa" and "question-and-answer session" 6/6 "helped turn the tide for wavering delegates," allowing for a "smooth, victorious end" to the convo (Salisbury/Stassen-Berger, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/8). State House Speaker Margaret Kelliher (D): "Candidate Franken grew in people's eyes. He did what he needed to do -- he showed his warmth and got his focus back on Norm Coleman's record" (Duchschere/Kaszuba, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8).
Nelson-Pallmeyer "withdrew after the first ballot, asking delegates to immediately endorse Franken" by acclamation. Nelson-Pallmeyer, who "fashioned his campaign similar to that of the late" Sen. Paul Wellstone (D), "was plagued" by "whether he could raise the money needed" and has said he "will not run in a primary against Franken." Following the endorsement, Pallmeyer-Nelson and Franken "embraced, signaling" to the 1.3K delegates "they had united after a tough intra-party battle." Nelson-Pallmeyer: "It's been an incredible honor to be a part of this campaign" (Grand Forks Herald, 6/8).
Franken, "in a passionate acceptance speech" 6/7, promised to "stand up to Norm Coleman in a way that he's never been stood up to before," on "the tasks of securing universal healthcare," "leveling the economic playing field," and "withdrawing troops from Iraq" (Lopez/Duchschere, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8).
Franken: "I'm not a perfect person, and I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers, but I'll tell the truth. I will keep my spine and I will work for you" (Grand Forks Herald, 6/8). Following the endorsement, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), "who had remained neutral throughout the Senate contest" and who "had publicly urged Franken to apologize," "sought him out on the stage and held his hand aloft in a gesture of solidarity that brought thunderous applause from DFLers" (Lopez/Duchschere, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8).
Don't Rain On My Parade
While Reps. Jim Oberstar (D-08), Keith Ellison (D-05), and Tim Walz (D-01), all of whom "criticized Franken's past writings," also "joined the newly endorsed Franken on stage," Rep. Betsy McCollum (D-04) "was noticeably absent." McCollum, who "had been a staunch supporter" of trial attorney Mike Ciresi's campaign," "had seemed to lead the charge of criticism." McCollum stated Franken had "started to address my concerns... he acknowledged there's a problem. Now we need to see what his plan is to put that behind him so he and others can address the real issues in the campaign." '00 candidate/atty Mike Ciresi (D), who "dropped out of the race months ago," recently has said "all options - including getting back in the race - were on the table," even though the DFL's "united backing of Franken might dissuade him" (Salisbury/Stassen-Berger, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6/8).
Tragedy Is Comedy Plus Time
Despite Franken's endorsement, some Dems "worry that more damaging off-color antics may surface." Though Franken has "shown he is a serious candidate," out-raising Coleman $9.4M to $8.7M by 03/08, Coleman has said he'll "stress Franken's lack of experience" and "may benefit" from the 9/08 RNC convo at the Xcel Energy Center, "which Coleman helped to build as St. Paul mayor" (Litvan, Bloomberg, 6/9). State Rep. Nora Slawik (D): "We know we're going to be on the defense with Franken. Will that hurt us? I support him, but I do worry" (Lopez/Duchschere, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8).
Coleman's campaign has also said they "will employ old Franken material." Coleman manager Cullen Sheehan: "Al Franken wants to talk about Norm Coleman's record. We're not going to be shy about talking about Al Franken's record" (AP, 6/7). MN GOP Chair Ron Carey blasted Franken's apology as "eleventh-hour" and "made out of political necessity," saying Franken is "their 'dream candidate" (Lopez/Duchschere, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/8). Carey: "Each and every DFL candidate on the ballot this year will need to explain why they refused to condemn Franken's demeaning and degrading comments that rob women of their dignity" (Litvan, Bloomberg, 6/9).
Dems argue "Franken's jokes will not affect him in the fall"; DSCC chair Chuck Schumer (D-NY): "Look, we knew that from the get-go he had a previous career. Here's what all the polling data shows, you look at all the things Al Franken said as a comedian...and then you say simply that Norm Coleman supports the war and supports President Bush 90-plus percent of the time, Franken wins by ten points" (Raju, The Hill, 6/7). Sheehan: "Al Franken is simply more fuel on the partisan fire burning in Washington" (Grand Forks Herald, 6/8).
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