News Flash: Franken on Daily Show, And Is NOT Butt of Joke

You may recall that Senate candidate Al Franken had a bit of political trouble because of his SNL days brainstorming jokes about rape. Not his proudest moment.
So it’s not a big surprise that Senator Al is putting an early focus on building a legislative record of being decidedly anti-rape.
While Franken’s [...]

‘We are extremely reserved right up until we walk up to the ballot box’

On the heels of Al Franken’s Minnesota State Supreme Court victory, David Carr has a great piece in the Times attempting to explain how Franken’s just-odd-enough persona fits well into the realm of Minnesota politics.
Yes, Minnesotans vote like crazy. At 77.8 percent, the state had the highest turnout in last year’s very busy presidential election. [...]

Senator Al Franken

In case you haven’t heard, former Minnesota U.S. Senator Norm Coleman has conceded his seat to Al Franken, following a unanimous state supreme court today in Franken’s favor. A thriller? Or a yawn?

Just Because Norm’s Appeal Reeks Doesn’t Mean It’s Wrong

(Guest post from Joe Loveland)
Defending an extension of the ceaseless Minnesota Senate recount is about as popular as defending an extension of the sitcom Cavemen.
But count me in. I support Senator Coleman’s appeal questioning whether absentee ballots were judged by varying standards in the counties.
By the way, this is not to say [...]

Political Gymnastics

Senator Norm Coleman, in possession of a narrow electoral lead the day after Election Day, November 6, 2008:
“I would step back (from challenging election results). I just think the need for the healing process is so important.”
Former Senator Norm Coleman’s attorney, facing a narrow deficit after a recount, January 5, 2008: [...]

A Fresh Start for Al

A keen observation from Captain Obvious: Al Franken has an image problem.
During the campaign voters heard and read the recovering comedian using naughty words, brainstorming jokes about rape, and occasionally stretching the truth in relentless criticism of his opponent. And there is residual damage. Lots of it.
Well, New Years is [...]

The Importance of The Right Messenger

Most of the public relations around the U.S. Senate recount has come in the form of dueling flack attacks. The Franken campaign has been at least as over-the-top as the Coleman campaign, including its gratuitous mention in today’s recount briefing of the Kazeminy-Coleman FBI investigation. (Holy kitchen sink strategy, what does Kazeminy have [...]

You Be the Judge…

Kudos to the Star Tribune for giving us regular folks a peek at what a ballot challenge looks like. They have scanned all 2,633 challenged ballots and presented them in an easy-to-use, “You Make the Call” format. I reviewed 42 ballots and gave 18 to each Franken and Coleman and put six others [...]

Spinning, Out of Control

A few weeks ago, Senator Norm Coleman called for an end to attack ads, after benefiting from them for months. Yesterday, Senator Coleman called for an end to frivolous ballot challenges, after piling them up for days.

‘…in the spirit of the holidays, and to give respect to this process that it deserves, we ask [...]

Thanksgiving

A Coleman vote? A Coleman crossout? Nervous doodling while agonizing over a vexing Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner vote? Hebrew script for “the New York Jew?” A cerebrovascular event?
Only the State Canvassing Board knows for sure. Talk about your “ruminations and fulminations on communications.”
As bad as your [...]