The AFSCME conference this weekend promoted the union's "5% Solution" for affordable health care. The goal is to have no Minnesota spend more than 5% of their income on health care - a figure that regularly reaches 25% now.

They also heard Al Franken, AFSCME-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, describe his ideas for health care reform.

***

Franken described heartbreaking encounters with people across the state, from a diabetic woman in Fergus Falls who shares insulin with her son, who also has the disease but can't afford insurance, to a teenager facing renal failure because her family can't afford her medication.

"We are going to address this, because this is a shame," Franken declared.

For the whole Workday Minnesota article, click here.

SAINT PAUL [2/19/08] - The UAW Minnesota State CAP Council announced today that they support U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken in the race to defeat Senator Norm Coleman. UAW represents 3,500 active members and 4,000 retirees across the state.

Bob Killeen, Secretary Treasurer UAW Minnesota State CAP (Community Action Program) Council, released the following statement:

"We recognize Al's commitment to workers in the manufacturing industry and retaining manufacturing jobs. We're committed to working with him to beat Norm Coleman and George Bush and their policies that attack workers and working families."

Al said:

"I'm thrilled to join forces with UAW in fighting for our auto industry, our manufacturing base, and the working men and women of Minnesota. There's no reason America can't regain its competitive edge in auto manufacturing if we take advantage of new technologies and the skill and dedication of our workforce. I'll work hard in Washington to create and protect union jobs, help our economy grow its way out of the Republican Recession, and make sure that Minnesota families reap the benefits."

For a complete list of endorsements, including labor unions, progressive organizations, and elected officials, please visit: www.alfranken.com/endorsements

For a hi-res headshot of Al, click here:
http://www.alfranken.com/page/content/media

Team Franken members Julia Krieger and Nathan Olson got some ink this week for taking their political skills from school government to the campaign trail.

Olson and Krieger are primarily responsible for spreading the word about Franken's campaign for Senate. They work on a variety of tasks, ranging from making phone calls to participating in political rallies.

Olson and Krieger both said they decided to work for Franken because of his ability to cause change in Minnesota.

Read more about our star team here.

Al hit a house party in Walker last week during his great northern Minnesota swing. And Hope from the Walker Pilot Independent covered his talk, which ranged from health care, to foreign policy, to education:

"Parents shouldn't have to pay activity fees for their kids to play sports or participate in arts or music programs," [Al Franken] declared. We didn't have activity fees when I was a kid. Studies show that the number one determinant of whether a kid stays in school is whether they identify with their school. What do you want your kids doing between 3 and 6 p.m? I'd want mine learning skills and school spirit."

Click here to read the rest of the article.

From the importance of American Crystal Sugar to the Red River Valley, to global warming and the war in Iraq, Franken touched on a whole slate of issues during his speech.

...

A country can only be "truly great" when it is first a good country, he said, and good countries don't torture people or invade countries without cause. As a member of the U.S. Senate, Franken said his goal would be to "restore our standing in the world."

His parents' generation was the greatest ever, he said. "I don't want mine to be the worst," he said. "Right now, I'd settle for mediocre."

The temperature clocked in below zero as Franni and TeamFranken bundled up for an early morning drive out west.

First stop, Montevideo. At the local paper we were told to hurry ourselves over to the coffee shop down the street, where a group of local men get together every morning to discuss the issues of the day. So hurry we did, and sure enough, there they were - and they weren't shy about letting us know that they weren't all DFLers. But in good Minnesota fashion, they were still ready to talk politics and the economy with Franni - and it was the highlight of Franni's day.

After hustling over to Benson (where we were told it was 35 below with wind chill), we dashed back to Montevideo's Java River coffee shop. 20 local DFLers braved the cold to gather around a few pots of coffee to talk to Franni about the campaign, as well as their concerns and questions about health care costs and sustainability. A regional expert on renewable energy was there, so Franni asked him about a wind turbine project she'd read about in the paper. It was a family event attended by people of all ages, so good thing we had cookies! When we left, our youngest attendee's blue and yellow truck was getting decked out with an Al Franken bumper sticker.

We had planned on doorknocking that afternoon, but then we remembered what Al had told us on our way out the door that morning - "Take care of Franni."

We didn't think he'd take kindly to us returning her with frostbite.

Instead we headed to Glencoe where Franni talked politics with the McLeod County Chronicle.

Not before a stop at Dairy Queen, though. As far as TeamFranken is concerned, it's never too cold for ice cream.

Hi everybody! I'm Thomasin, Al's daughter, and now that I'm volunteering full time on the campaign, I'd like to introduce myself to everyone checking out our web site.

I spent my first three years after college teaching third grade. Cooking has always been a passion of my family's, and that's why I started my own private chef business, and ran an early childhood cooking program.

With my experience in education, I'm going to be helping my dad learn more about the issues teachers, administrators, students, and parents are facing by visiting schools and reaching out to the education community. So if you're an educator, a parent, or a policy maker, please don't hesitate to send me an email if you should have a concern about education that you'd like to communicate to the campaign.

I am very proud that my father has received the support of Education Minnesota, our teacher's union that works so hard to improve the quality of education in this state. I am also thrilled to see the incredible amount of enthusiasm we receive at all our campaign events. It is so exciting to see the amazing turn out we get, and feel the energy that comes with the hope people are bringing when they come to our events.

I know this is going to be a great election season! I hope to see you on the campaign trail, and don't forget to caucus for my dad on February 5th!

Thomasin Franken

thomasin@alfranken.com

SAINT PAUL [1/14/08] - Al Franken for Senate announced today that two television ads will begin running on all four major broadcast networks, as well as on cable. The first ads can be seen Tuesday morning, January 15, in the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth markets.

"Mrs. Molin," a 60-second spot, features Val Molin, Al's fourth-grade teacher at Cedar Manor Elementary School in St. Louis Park. This lively, fun spot introduces Al's biography: his roots in Minnesota, his education at Harvard, his 32-year marriage to Franni, his career as an author and radio host, his seven USO tours overseas, and his agenda for Minnesota families, including universal health care, affordable college tuition, and an end to the war in Iraq.

"I'm Running," a 30-second spot, is about some of the people who have shaped Al's decision to run and who will shape what he does in the U.S. Senate. It features Casey Carmody, a student at MSU-Mankato, who, in addition to working 40-hour weeks around his full-time class schedule, sells his plasma twice a week in order to afford tuition. It also features the Miller family of St. Louis Park, one of countless families of nearly every economic status telling Al that our broken health care system is impacting their lives.

The ads were produced by Shorr Johnson Magnus. They will run at least through February 5 and may be joined by other ads discussing the issues central to this campaign.

Communications Director Andy Barr:

"We're excited to begin this conversation with Minnesota voters. This campaign is about Minnesotans who need a voice in Washington - a voice that will stand up to the special interests and stand up for them on the issues that matter. Throughout this year, Al will be spending a lot of time listening to and highlighting those concerns. To change this country, we need to change a political culture in which people feel like they don't matter. In the Senate, Al will use his voice to make sure that they do. And that starts with this campaign.

"That said, as we begin this year, we think it's important that people know who Al is and why he's running, and we're thrilled that Mrs. Molin was able to help us do so in memorable fashion."

To view "Mrs Molin," click here.

To view "I'm Running," click here

A couple hours after we sent out the email below, Norm Coleman announced his own fundraising numbers. Turns out, we outraised him yet again! And we did it without taking a dime from the Big Oil, Big Insurance, and Big Pharmaceutical PACs he relies on - we did it with you, and 81,414 other Americans who want to see change in Washington.

You came through so loud and clear in 2007 that we're ready to send our own signal in 2008. Al's hitting the airwaves soon - thanks to your support!

Dear Friend,

As you might have noticed, we lean on you pretty hard for financial support around the end of every reporting period – but that's because, now that the quarter's over, every political reporter in town is calling me wanting to know whether our amazing fundraising momentum has continued for another quarter.

When the phone starts ringing this morning, we'll be able to answer that question with a resounding "Yes!" But since you made it possible, we're sharing our success with you first.

We're proud to announce that, in the fourth fundraising quarter, we raised nearly $1.9 million. And we're even prouder to announce that, since Al began his campaign, we've received contributions from over 81,000 people. Read that again. Over 81,000 people have invested in our campaign for change.

With that kind of support, we're ready to make another exciting announcement.

But I think I should let Al do the honors. So click on the link to watch a YouTube video we recorded over the weekend.

As you can tell, January's going to be a fantastic month for our campaign. In fact, later this week, we'll be announcing our newest endorsements, with more to come throughout the month.

And don't forget about the DFL Precinct Caucuses taking place on Tuesday, February 5. If you haven't already signed up to join our Caucus Team, please take a moment to click here and do so.

Click here to join our caucus team!

As great as 2007 was, 2008 will be even better. This is the year we're going to retire Norm Coleman and send Al to Washington with a mandate to create real change. And we're going to do it the same way we built this campaign in 2007: together.

Thanks for all you've done and all you'll do!

Andy Barr
TeamFranken

The New York Times came out to Minnesota to meet Al and see what the excitement is all about.

One blustery, bitterly cold afternoon, as Mr. Franken went door-to-door in St. Paul urging voters to support a local City Council hopeful, he was met by greetings that most first-time politicians could only dream of.

"My hero!" one man actually hollered when Mr. Franken came to his door, and the man ran to fetch his wife.

The whole piece is definitely worth the read Check it out here.

The Nation has a profile of Al's campaign, written by John Nichols. He came to Minnesota a few weeks back, hung around for the Progressive Caucus debate at Augsburg, and talked with a few Minnesota DFLers.

Franken is not playing catch-up. He is not learning the ropes. Yes, of course, his celebrity helps. Not every first-time candidate is greeted by spontaneous chants of "Al! Al! Al!" while working the crowds at the Twin Cities Gay Pride Parade and "Franken! Franken! Franken!" along the route of the Fourth of July parade in rural Brainerd. But when Franken is asked what he will do about healthcare or free trade or ending the war in Iraq, the fun and games stop. He does not "de-humorize" himself; there are still flashes of wit. But there is, as well, a depth of knowledge and a sense of purpose that makes it clear Franken has no taste for campaigning as performance art. "Ask Al about an issue, any issue, and he'll give you chapter and verse," says Niel Ritchie, executive director of the Minneapolis-based League of Rural Voters. "That's what strikes people. After they get over the fact that he's this guy they've seen a thousand times telling jokes on TV, they start to notice that he knows more than some senators, maybe more than most senators. And that he's connecting what he knows about policy to their experience. It's powerful stuff."

Click here to read the profile.

SAINT PAUL [9/17/07] - "There weren't enough Jim Ramstads in Congress even before today's announcement.

"Jim's political courage and principled leadership, especially on mental health parity, have served as an example for those of us who believe we should lead on our values, not our party affiliation.

"I would have loved to work with Jim in Washington, but I look forward to working hard to make even more progress on the issues he's championed so well."

-Al Franken

blog.alfranken.com

Al's been heading down to the picket lines and rallies to support the University of Minnesota workers striking for a living wage. He's a member of four unions himself, and he takes the issue very seriously. On Monday, he caught up with the university's paper, the Minnesota Daily.

Franken said higher education has been a concern of his before the strike, and it would continue to be after the dispute is resolved.

He expressed a concern that the University is moving backward.

"We now have a country in which the gap between those at the top and those toward the bottom is getting wider and wider," Franken said. "The University is not the place to be going in the wrong direction."

Franken said it's important for University students to learn from this strike.

"Students here need to know, they need to be reminded what unions and what labor is about," Franken said. "The unions gave this country a middle class. The unions gave this country the weekend.

"Imagine that, a learning moment at a University," he said.

Click here for the whole piece.

The Minnesota State Fair was quite simply amazing. Every day, hundreds - maybe thousands - of people stopped by Al's booth on Judson and Underwood. We might have gotten a little tired of the constant refrain of Thriller playing from the Haunted House across the street, but we never got tired of meeting new fairgoers.

Every day Al had a different trading card to pass out - a different issue for each of the Fair's twelve days. We were so surprised to see people coming back day after day to collect them all.

Between speaking at his own booth, the Minnesota Farmer's Union booth and at the DFL Pavilion, Al got to deliver his message of change to more Minnesotans than ever before in this campaign. Just check out the photos!

But, of course, speeches weren't the only highlight of the Fair. There was also...the food. Al couldn't get enough walleye on a stick - or sweet corn. And he was lucky enough to be a guest judge at the Minnesota Cooks event hosted by the farmer's union. It's a really wonderful project that brings together local farms, restaurants and chefs to create some truly outstanding food.

TeamFranken worked overtime at the booth and we wanted to thank our incredible volunteers - we couldn't have possibly had the success we did without all of your help. Thank you thank you thank you! And we'll see you next year!

Campaign to report over $3.2 million raised to date, nearly $2 million on hand

SAINT PAUL [7/8/07] - The Al Franken for Senate campaign announced today that it expects to report having raised over $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2007 when it files its quarterly report with the FEC on July 15.

The money was raised from nearly 28,000 donors. So far in 2007, over 36,000 donors have contributed a grand total of over $3.2 million. The campaign is particularly pleased to note that over 95% of contributions in the second quarter were $100 or less.

The $1.9 million figure would mean that Al has likely out-raised incumbent Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) in the second quarter, an unusual feat for a challenger. Sen. Coleman's campaign reported raising "over $1.5 million" in the quarter. The Franken campaign will report nearly $2 million cash on hand.

U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today received the endorsement of Teamsters Joint Council 32, which represents over 50,000 active and retired Teamsters in Minnesota, as well as Teamsters Local 120, which is the largest in the state.

Joint Council 32 President Dan Fortier made the announcement in a release, saying:

“Al Franken is Minnesota’s candidate for working families. Norm Coleman has repeatedly abandoned Minnesota working families. We need a Senator who will fight for better jobs – and Al Franken is the man for the job.”

Brad Slawson Jr., Chairman of Teamsters Local 120 PAC, added:

“We intend to turn out the vote for Al Franken. We will put the boots on the ground and fight to elect Al Franken. His election will allow us to use politics to bargain better contracts, protect American jobs, and organize new workers.”

Quote from Al Franken:

"I’m honored to receive the Teamsters’ support. Working families deserve access to quality health care, an affordable college education for their children, decent jobs at decent wages, and a secure retirement. Every one of these things is increasingly at risk today, and labor is the most effective line of defense for our middle class. Norm Coleman hasn’t stood up for Minnesota’s working families in the Senate. I will.”

The Teamsters endorsement marks the second significant labor endorsement of the Senate race and the second for Al’s campaign in as many months. The United Steelworkers District 11 endorsed Al in May.

Originally posted on the Huffington Post 6/4/07: Here!
Also visit www.alfranken.com!

______________________ 

As a candidate for the U.S. Senate here in Minnesota, I've become painfully aware of the role money plays in politics.

For instance, according to my staff, I'm not supposed to write anything without mentioning that our grassroots campaign needs the support of great progressives like YOU and asking you to click here and chip in a few bucks so I can take on the Republican attack machine.

See? That kind of thing totally distracts the reader from my point, which is this: If you ever wonder whether we really need public financing of elections in this country, try running for office. You might think I spend most of my time kissing babies or shaking hands or having serious policy debates in which my sparkling wit and superior knowledge of the issues combine to sweep audiences off their feet.

But no. I spend most of my time doing this.

That's me during "call time," which is basically what candidates for public office do all day. The guy on the right is Kris, my call time manager. It's his job to sit with me for hours at a time and make sure I'm "making the ask" on every call. For instance, he's currently pacing behind me reminding me to make another "ask" in here. Here it is, Kris: please click here and give me money. Okay?

While I'm sitting there with Kris, I often think about how badly we need public financing of elections in this country. We need it because I should be out talking to Minnesotans about the issues that matter to their families. We need it so that I can spend my days meeting with policy experts and reading up on legislation and working with progressives all over the state to build a movement that can take on Norm Coleman next fall.

And we need it because members of Congress are too beholden to special interests, and that costs taxpayers, big time. The Medicare Part D prescription drug bill, which might be the most corrupt piece of legislation in history, was a huge giveaway of taxpayer funds to the big pharmaceutical companies. The 2005 energy bill handed billions of dollars of our money to big oil companies, essentially just for the hell of it.

Did the Republican majority pass those bills out of the goodness of their hearts? Of course not. They passed them because they rely on huge PAC checks from these big corporate interests to fund television commercials calling Democrats "big spenders."

Let me select a totally random example: Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman (R-PHARMA). In the first fundraising quarter this year, he raised around $1.5 million. About a third of that came from PACs -- tobacco, coal, insurance, etc. Over the course of his career, he's taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from Big Oil and Big Pharma. And, of course, he voted in favor of that horrible drug bill and that horrible energy bill.

I'm doing things a little differently. In my first fundraising quarter (which was really only 45 days since I announced on February 14), I raised around $1.35 million. But instead of relying on PACs, I relied mostly on small contributions from over 10,000 donors (over 90 percent of whom gave less than $100), more than twice as many as Coleman. (I should point out that you can help, too, by clicking here. See, I'm learning!)

But even though thousands of people have already helped without my having to call them, I still spend a lot of time on the phone. Don't get me wrong -- I don't mind talking to people about my campaign and what I'd do in the Senate to push for universal health care, stem cell research, and an end to the war in Iraq. (Although sometimes I get kind of annoyed when I get too many voicemails in a row.)

What I don't like is that I never get to spend enough time really getting into the issues. Whenever I start actually talking about how I'd vote to revitalize our manufacturing sector by investing in renewable energy technology or how I'd help ensure that every American has access to affordable health care, Kris is there to remind me to "make the ask." Sometimes he's kind of insistent.

But the sad truth is, if you can't raise the money, you can't make your case. That's why I keep Kris around. But forcing candidates to spend their time and energy dialing for dollars instead of engaging with citizens cheats candidates and voters alike.

It cheats elected officials, too. With public financing, members of Congress could spend their time meeting with constituents, discussing policy problems with experts, and, you know, READING the legislation they're voting on. And we wouldn't have any more earmarks snuck in in the middle of the night, $231 million "Bridges to Nowhere," or stupid giveaways to big corporate interests. Also, I wouldn't have to keep asking you for money all the time. (Which reminds me: click here!)

Visit www.alfranken.com for more!

MINNEAPOLIS [6/05/07] - The Al Franken for Senate campaign today announced that Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto has endorsed Al's candidacy.

"After having spent the last year with Al on the campaign trail," Otto said, "I know that he will never be afraid to speak his mind or vote his convictions in Washington. Al will always value principle over politics."

In addition, the campaign released its first list of legislative endorsements, including nine members of the Minnesota Senate and ten members of the Minnesota House.

Legislative Endorsements
Sen. Sandy Pappas (St. Paul)
Sen. Don Betzold (Fridley)
Sen. Steve Murphy (Red Wing)
Sen. Jim Carlson (Eagan)
Sen. John Doll (Burnsville)
Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (Winona)
Sen. Tony Lourey (Kerrick)
Sen. Rick Olseen (Harris)
Sen. Dan Skogen (Hewitt)
Rep. Mike Jaros (Duluth)
Rep. Bernie Lieder (Crookston)
Rep. John Lesch (St. Paul)
Rep. Cy Thao (St. Paul)
Rep. Larry Haws (St. Cloud)
Rep. John Benson (Minnetonka)
Rep. Robin Brown (Austin)
Rep. Tim Faust (Mora)
Rep. Scott Kranz (Blaine)
Rep. Kim Norton (Rochester)


Quote from Al Franken: "I'm thrilled and honored to have the support of these great DFLers -- not only because I know we'll work together to beat Norm Coleman and keep Minnesota blue in 2008, but because I'll be able to rely on their experience, their advice, and their unique talents. Rebecca Otto and Rick Olseen will help me push for an Apollo program to invest in renewable energy. Sandy Pappas will help me advocate for more affordable college tuition for all Americans. Steve Murphy, Bernie Lieder, and Jim Carlson will advise me on transportation issues. And I know I can count on Larry Haws to write jokes for me."

Quote from Communications Director Andy Barr: "This list reflects the wide support Al has within the DFL Party. We have metro endorsements from the Twin Cities, Duluth, St. Cloud, and Rochester. We have suburban endorsements from Minnetonka, Fridley, Burnsville, and Eagan. We have endorsements from Greater Minnesota: Crookston, Kerrick, Harris, and Hewitt. We have legislators with decades of experience (by our calculations, well over 100 years of combined experience), as well as 11 members of the 'Class of 2006.' Al's 'base' is statewide."

Quotes from legislators (biographies of all endorsing officials follow after the jump):

Sen. Sandy Pappas (St. Paul)
"I really respect Al's intelligence, integrity, and wit, and I know he'll be a terrific Senator."

Sen. Don Betzold (Fridley)
"Al Franken will be a compassionate and caring United States Senator in the seat held by Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, and Paul Wellstone."

Sen. Steve Murphy (Red Wing)
"The only way we're going to win this race is with a candidate who's passionate, principled, and understands how the failed Republican agenda impacts Minnesota families. That's Al. People know where he stands, and people will get to know who he really is as this campaign develops. Having gotten to know Al, I'll be proud to stand with him."

Sen. Sharon Erickson-Ropes (Winona)
"Most people know Al as a popular satirist, but I'm supporting him because he knows the issues and will be our best advocate for universal health care, renewable energy, and education. Al may be a funny guy, but the state of our nation and of our politics is no joke, and Al's the man for the job."

Sen. Dan Skogen (Hewitt)
"I got to know Al for only a few minutes during my state Senate campaign. We all knew Al from his comedy days. I got to hear Al speak honestly about things that really matter. He is honest has a kind heart, and shows compassion. That's what I want as a link between myself and my government. Al has that ability to connect with people. That day we had a large group from very diverse backgrounds - and Al connect with all of them."

Rep. Bernie Lieder (Crookston)
"I met Al last year when he came up to Crookston to campaign for me. I certainly appreciated the energy he helped to generate. But when I heard him speak, I discovered that he's not just an exciting candidate - he's knowledgeable, passionate, and he really connected with the people who came to hear him. I know he'll be a great Senator."

Rep. Larry Haws (St. Cloud)
"I'm supporting Al Franken because I believe he has the courage to fight the good fight. We share an American dream: affordable and excellent public education, safe communities, and jobs that pay a decent wage. Al has the wisdom to guide our country in the right direction, the passion to stand up for Minnesota families, and a sense of humor that will help him put up with the politics necessary to create a better America."