GOP Throws The Kitchen Sink At Franken

The National Republican Senatorial Committee put out a kitchen-sink type ad Monday, accusing Al Franken of writing pornography, laughing at the disabled, humiliating minorities and demeaning women.

The meat of the ad is lifted, primarily, from Franken's time as a humorist. And it comes at a time when the Democratic challenger appears close to pulling of an electoral upset.

But the real back-story here is as much about Franken's opponent, Norm Coleman, as it is about the NRSC.

Several weeks ago, the Minnesota Republican pledged to launch a positive campaign. And, subsequently, he took down all negative advertisements. But he has done very little to demonstrate his disapproval of independent groups who are whacking Franken on his behalf.

The Coleman campaign insists that he is prohibited from interceding when it comes to the ads put out by the NRSC. The Senator himself has said that it would be illegal to personally contact outside organizations to "ask them to stop their negative ads."

But other candidates for office have done just that, including Rep. Chris Shays, a Republican from Connecticut and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat from Arizona. And just this Sunday, Coleman emailed NRSC chair Sen. Jon Ensign about a direct mail piece sent out by the group's independent expenditure arm -- a pamphlet that looks like a children's book and accuses Franken of writing a pornography column in Playboy Magazine and "comedy routines about raping women."

In short, the Minnesota Senate race is witnessing mudslinging at least as dirty as that seen on the presidential level. And Coleman seems to be trying to appear above the fray while reaping the benefits of outside group attacks.

Comments

[iChoose]

Isn't Reagan their Hero? Al is an actor too. The roles he played as a comedian do not reflect his own views. Al is winning.

[ENOS]

Oh my GOD!!!! Incredible.

[karela]

Oh man, they might have wanted to wait until this afternoon and think about releasing this ad. Colemon is closely linked to Ted Stevens who was convicted this afternoon on seven counts of corruption and these ads were put out for Colemon's benefit. Steven's pac gave $30,000 to support Colemon's campaign and Colemon said he wasn't giving it back unless Steven's was convicted. Then he gave $20,000 back and said he couldn't give the other $10,000 because he'd already spent it. Unless he knows exactly which dollars in his campaign fund belonged to Stevens, which doesn't seem possible, I think he just wanted the money and hoped voters would buy the malarkey. Time for Stevens and Colemon to get out of the Senate!

[brockc1225]

What are you talking about??? It is hard to even understand what you are saying. Go to sleep...

[DeminMN]

Bachmann is also linked to Ted Stevens. She recently hosted a reception honoring Stevens.

[wedgie]

It's kind of a helpful ad.

Watch the ad, donate to Franken.

I just did so, because of the helpful ad.

Thanks Republican Party!!!

**

[lemonyashes]

I'm gonna donate to Al Franken and he's a good democrat and does not deserve this.

[edgemo]

And yet they (the GOP'ers) make child abuse a pass-time, and that's okay?

[lemonyashes]

The Republicans sure are talking about children and sexuality in their ads against the democrats one might get the idea that Republicans are projecting or seem these guys are obsessed with child pornography etc.. as they point to it way too often and air it at prime time when they know children might be listening and watching. Perverts seem to be Republicans. If they aren't then they need to renounce ads like these.

[Daw8it]

No matter what state you are in, take Nov.4th off because there will be long voting lines !!!

[NWBrunette]

Not in Oregon, we don't have lines here. Catch up, America!

[hrhkat]

Really, who doesnt laugh at the disabled? I do..does that make me a bad person? NO, because god sent them to earth for our enjoyment and pleasure..­.CIRCUS people get laughed at, and their disabled..­.does that make it wrong for me to laugh at them at the supermarket?

[hillpill]

I'm a big Franken fan. Loved his show on Air America.
But your comment really su cks.

[lemonyashes]

He's a republican troll hoping to turn you against Franken they have infinite tricks.

[bngood40]

To All Liberal Bloggers; The only reason that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was able to create programs to get our nation out of the Great Depression and to prepare this country for a war with Germany was because Roosevelt had a solid Democratic Majority in congress. When England was bankrupt and was the last standing Democracy in Europe Winston Churchill asked President Roosevelt if he would help. Roosevelt created the Lend-Lease Deal where Britian could borrow anything they wanted from our military arsenal and return it when they were finished with it. When the bill was introduced for a vote in the House of Representatives every one of the 135 Republicans in the House voted against the bill. Fortunately the Democrats controlled the majority and passed the bill. If the Republicans had been able to defeat this bill the United States might not exist today. I beseech all of you to blog every state where a Democrat has a chance to win and do everything that you can to help the Democrats get majorities in the House and Senate otherwise the Republicans will take the next 4 years doing everything they can to create obstacles for our president and this nation. After November 4th it will be too late.

[LiberalAchi]

Thank you for the information. I posted it on many of the blogs and message boards that I frequent.

[lemonyashes]

Knowledge is the 'true' power. Thank You for informing.

[Zenith1959]

I just saw a TV commercial against our incumbent Democratic governor where they stated she worked to give raises to unions who donated to her, at a time when working families are struggling to pay their bills. Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this picture? Like maybe some of those struggling families are union members who got a raise? I am never ceased to be amazed at how gullible the "low information" voters are.

[Sportswoman]

Whadya mean by demeaning Repubs? demeaning as in running a woman whose political IQ is 40, thinking women will automatically gravitate toward her? Demeaning as in insulting Sen. Clinton by trying to equate this airhead with her? Deameaning as in thinking all white peoplewill fall for the slew of racist attacks against Barrack?

[klondiker]

ZERO CREDIBILIT­Y...Are we supposed to believe that all of a sudden the GOP cares about women and minorities?? Give me a break. Your platform is anti-women and anti-minorities!!!!

[ragtag]

"Your platform is anti-women and anti-minor­ities!!!!"

Also known as the "screw you, I got mine" party.

Dung Beetles for everyone (think about it for a couple seconds..)

[McChimp]

peggyleg See Profile I'm a Fan of peggyleg I'm a fan of this user permalink
Do you libs deny that this didn't happen? Or is this, too, explainable like BO's associates Ayers, Rezco, Dorn, and Wright?

Pathetic..­.

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Doggone it, scraping the bottom of the barrel...

I guess it's Seantor Obama's fault for not doing those town hall meetings with Senator McCain, otherwise they wouldn't have had to have gone negative on Al Franken.

LOL

[Presto2112]

Bill O'Reilly knows Ayers and Rezko?

[blueshield]

Didn't Ayers and Rezko play for the Braves?

[funkalicious]

Its time to send Al Franken to Washington to fight for the middle class for a change.

The Republican Senate committee is afraid of people with wit and passion who are unafraid to call them on their crap.
If you are tired of it to send AL some money and help put these bums in check. It will feel good.
Don't wait do it now http://www.alfranken.com/

[jeniferdaniels]

wow...that was hilarious! they must think ppl don't remember him on SNL

[ilovemycat]

Republican's at their best. They truly are lower than whale pee.