Al Franken Edges Out Sen. Coleman In New Poll

Al Franken may be disappointed that Jesse Ventura isn't running for Senate in Minnesota. But the comedian-turned-politician gets some good news in a new Rasmussen poll: he's edging out Sen. Norm Coleman 44% to 42%.

However, most polls still show Coleman ahead.

Rasmussen suggests Jesse Ventura has something to do with Coleman's collapse:

Franken's support has stayed between 43% and 45% in four straight polls. The current poll is by far the lowest level of support earned by the incumbent, suggesting that the rumblings of a possible Ventura campaign raised new possibilities for voters to consider.

Comments

[nellie]

This analysis makes no sense to me. Ventura gets out of the race, well, not even gets out of the race, decides not to run, and Franken gets a boost? I'm all for Franken taking Coleman's seat, but to try to make sense of one poll showing him ahead, calling the 2-point lead a "collapse" for Coleman, and then straining to link this anomoly to Jesse Ventura... my head is spinning.

But I hope Al gets some traction. Coleman is no Paul Wellstone.

[pbfishtaco]

The post-Ventura Bump?

[buckbuck11]

Good grief! I mean MN not WI! Garrison Keillor would not be amused at my gaffe!

[buckbuck11]

I wondered what had gotten into the voters of Wisconsin when they sent Coleman to the Senate in the first place. I hope this represents a trend. Wait till folks internalize the hits their retirement accounts have been taking....they'll be going to the polls with torches and pitchforks en masse.

[Chemwiz]

Ventura better get in there before those idiots elect another communist into the senate.

[wm1066]

Well, it seems Jesse just wanted media attention to sell his book.
Conning CNN to give him an hour on Larry King and then to say he probably wouldn't run was great TV.
(snark)
I bet studio heads were fuming over that bit of Ventura nonsense.

[BaltimoreSteve]

I'd much rather have a comedian and satirist as a Senator, than a Senator who makes a joke of the constitution, and is deaf to satirical comment by the citizens.

Go Al Go.

[RIPHRC]

Go, Al, go!

[polson]

I live in southwestern Minnesota and this is good news. Yes, Al Franken is unorthodox and does not fit the mold of a typical politician. Neither did the man whose Senate seat he is seeking to recapture, Paul Wellstone. This poll is good news, but I am holding my breath that Al can really pull it off against Chameleon Coleman. BTW, if you watch the documentary "Wellstone!" you can see how much Al admired Paul long before he considered his own political career options.

[darthdarcy]

You go Al, we're all cheering for you..!

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Terrific news. He's going to make a great Senator.

[Imzadi]

Yeah, but at least Norm brought back hockey...

/sarcasm

[ozcreations]

It will be great when Franken takes back Paul Wellstones' seat. Plus, can you imagine him telling the truth in the well of the senate. I live in that other world when I keep hoping for an honest politician and this could be the one and in the right place.

[meanguy]

franken telling the truth? that takes a whole lot of imagination...another gasbag in love with the sound of his own voice and convinced that he's something special...

[ThunderclapNewman]

"another gasbag in love with the sound of his own voice and convinced that he's something special..."

You describe yourself quite accurately.

[buddhistMonkey]

I have yet to hear Al Franken ever say anything other than the unvarnished truth (excepting, of course, for the occasional comedy bit). If you've got a counter-example, I'd love to hear it. But you don't.

[writerjohnny]

Maybe meanguy could give us some linked examples of Al Franken's lies. Logically I don't think loving your own voice and thinking of yourself as "something special" make you a liar.

[lovethesinner]

GoOyeOyeOye!

GObama!

GODemocrats!

[vejzagic]

these kinds of comments are allowed by mine are censored? WTF?

[Grunty1]

We aren't allowed to use proper names.

[fiberoptimist]

Run Al run!

But, if you ever think about being PRESIDENT Franken, just don't choose anyone named Stein as your running mate.

[Imzadi]

LMAO!!

[gevan]

Wouldn't it naturally be Franken & Davis?

[Grunty1]

Al F'ranken / Ben S'tein ? :-)

You have to remember that B'ush picked a guy named D'ick though, and that somehow worked out.