Franken Parries Coleman Attacks In Ad (WATCH)

Al Franken, fighting an uphill battle against Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, answers the Republican's attacks head-on in a new ad: "Who Does Norm Coleman Work For? (Vol.1). A recent Coleman ad claimed Franken didn't pay his taxes. The Democrat responds in the ad that he made "an honest mistake" while Coleman is getting a "sweetheart deal" on an apartment in D.C. The ad ends with the teaser, "And it gets even worse. Stay tuned for more."

Watch:

Franken's communications director comments:

"Norm Coleman is attacking Al Franken for an honest mistake he made with his personal finances - and fixed months ago. Meanwhile, Coleman is refusing to answer questions about a sweetheart deal he received from a Washington insider connected to powerful lobbyists - a matter that has already attracted the attention of the Senate Ethics Committee. Unfortunately, this is just one example of Norm Coleman's all-too-cozy relationship with special interests - a relationship that, for him, comes before doing the job for Minnesota's middle class families. We know that Norm Coleman isn't working for Minnesotans in Washington. Now it's time to find out just who he is working for - and what he's getting in return."

Comments

[nellie]

I'm not a big fan of Franken, but I sure do want him to beat Coleman. This is a really good response to the whole tax flap. Smart and tough.

[geobushono]

When you punch repugs, they bleed.

[Jacksonian]

Franken is good enough. He's smart enough. And, doggone it, I like him.

I've read every one of his books. They're great, especially, "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot," and, "Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them." I also have to say, "Why Not Me," was hilarious and stills leaves me sputtering about ATM fees.

:o)

[venicesurfer]

franken for the senate? HA, he's a joke.

[raker]

Franken's a brilliant, informed, compassionate, committed family man. And our president is George and Bar's sad, dim, average l'il W, but Franken's a joke? Only in red-state America.

[nellie]

Ooops. Make that KNOW-nothings!

[nellie]

Not even there. Franken scares the opposition. No one in politics thinks of him as a joke. Only the no-nothings on this board.

[70sFez]

He's a funny and smart guy. Love reading his books. Good luck Al.

[robynuva]

Sent Al $25 bucks, just for fun. The letter I got back made me laugh out loud:


Your gift will help me get my message out to the people of Minnesota, not to mention help pay our Internet bills so we can send you e-mails like this one.

And next time you see me on the trail, be sure to let me know you've helped out so I can thank you in person.

Thanks once again,

Al Franken

Worth every penny!

[Missmn]

He's got some pretty funny robo-calls too. He's a good guy. It will be nice for him to win. Ads like this will help him tremendously. I can't wait to see part 2.

[mexicanamerican1948]

He was never funny, that's why he is running, maybe he should put an add in Playboy?great family values...

[wm1066]

You mean like Coleman who doesn't live with his own wife?
And I am talking years here, not just when he is in Washington.

[JJI]

It's terrible that Franken has to pretend not to be funny to be elected.

[dutchess2]

Didn't Norm Colman have a face lift, or his lips puffed, something cosmetically.... new hair line... do I have the right guy?

No one takes someone so vain seriously...

[Tommygun264]

Coleman is the one who had the most obvious badly capped teeth of the 21st century (at least in the non-precious metals or gemstones category). Remember the movie "There's Something About Mary", where Matt Dillon has bugged Mary's apartment and hears her say "I just love capped teeth" and the next time you see Matt Dillon he's got these huge porcelain caps that look like they came off a statue? Well, that's Norm Coleman. Norm Coleman looks like they called central casting and said "send us someone to play a pompous, dim-witted, blatantly corrupt politician so inept that he falls just short of becoming a parody of himself".

[liberalsrheros]

when al speaks from his heart, speaks to helping people he is amazing. a leader we need.

[valleygent]

Franken is a warrior...right on Al, you have some real firing power. Now the rest of you whimpy Dems...there goes a man! Fight for pete sake!

[trollsbwild]

I live in Pa., but have been following this race with great interest. Al Franken is a smart, compassionate man who would be a breath of fresh air in the Senate. The smear add about his taxes is so absurd- $1,700 in back taxes paid and settled when the issue was raised. Meanwhile, NC has his head up the butt of K street.
You are spot on as to fighting back against the tactics of the GOP copying Rove's playbook. A smack in the teeth is all they understand. No different than standing up to a bully.

[Missmn]

It was actually $17,000, but you are most correct in the ridiculousness of the matter.

[kevingiampa]

Can anyone tell me why they'd vote for Norm Coleman? Why the heck did Minnesota vote for him in the first place, because he was younger than Mondale? Minnesota, get a freakin grip. From Paul Wellstone to--Norm Coleman? Please Minnesota, do the rest of the country a favor, and vote for change.

[Ranta]

Simple. It was because the Wellstone kids let Paul's memorial turn into a campaign rally. The first half was O.K. but the second half was embarrassing. I'm as pro-DFL as they come but talk about lack of collective social grace.

[Missmn]

Norm Coleman's election was part of the knee-jerk politics of the state of Minnesota. When Paul Wellstone's plane crashed 11 days before the election in 2002, a public memorial was held for him that was quite passionate and partisan - completely appropriate for the one being remembered. Norm and the other republicans in the state, however, were able to convince a large number of people into being offended (the true Minnesotan's natural state of being) that public funds went to the memorial, and viola - 6 years later, here we are.

[rcpmac]

Ask Minnesota democrats!
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/26/newpoll/

[kevingiampa]

Minnesotans need to wake the freak up. Norm Coleman is a National joke. How the same state can go for someone as great as Amy Klobuchar and elect, then reelect such a hack as Coleman is beyond me. Hey, Minnesota, stop being a laughing stock, and vote the bum out of office. The election shouldn't even be close.

[TRYKER]

It could be that the voting machines and republican operatives were able to alter the vote like they did in Ohio and NM and wherever else.
Generally Minnesota is very progressive and aware.
Al Franken will be a great senator, a man with a heart and a mind that will make a difference.
There is hope for this country yet.

[Grunty1]

The unfortunately truth is that EVERY state seems to have at least one national embarrassment in DC. They ALL need to be removed, so don't focus on just one state.

[wm1066]

Well, we also have Michelle Bachmann and she is "a joke"!
Did you see her on Larry King a few nites ago?
She thinks the RNC convention is in MPLS!

[MysteryTrain]

Coleman is lying, vicious, filthy scum

[JennyJay]

Al Franken is going to win this election, and he is going to be great and honest Senator. We have
to weed out the old power-corrupted jerks, who only serve themselves and lobbyists.
Coleman is a dinosaur and his slimey time in power is over.

[nick1936]

Norm how can I get an apartment in DC for only $600 a month??????

[drkazmd65]

You just have to do certain types of 'favors' for well connected lobbyists nick,...

And the type of 'favor' required depends on the type of person involved. If Norm was a hot brunette or redhead under age 30 it would be a very different sort of favor required.

Hmm,... or would it,... most corporate lobbyists are Republicans,...