Today's MOVELEFT.COM article is about the possible 2008 Franken v.Coleman

[Eric J in MN]

Al Franken and Norm Coleman. Will they compete in 2008?

US Senator Mark Dayon (D-MN) recently announced that he isn't running for re-election in 2006.

Radio host Al Franken has talked about possibly running in 2008 to unseat Repbulican Norm Coleman, and Dayton's decision raised the question of whether Franken would run in 2006, instead.


Franken still says that if he runs, it will be in 2008.

US Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) responded ("Senate race: the ins, outs, maybes" by Rob Hotakainen, Dane Smith and Paul Sand, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Feb. 11, 2005):

Asked to comment on Franken, Coleman said that serving in the Senate is "serious business," not comedy. "I don't think the public is in the mood for comedy in this post-9/11 world when it comes to this level of public service."

A letter-writer to the Minneapolis Star Tribune takes another view (Feb. 12, 2005):.

Coleman's nightmare

Sen. Norm Coleman is clearly frightened. Every time Al Franken's name comes up as a challenger in 2008, Coleman dismisses him as merely a comedian.

Anyone who has listened to even an hour of Franken's political radio show understands that he is a serious observer and participant in politics. He often works in the realm of satire, but his knowledge and analysis of policy is striking.

Listen to him chat with Norm Ornstein, Paul Krugman and scores of other serious pundits, as well as politicians on both sides of the aisle, and you will be impressed. He has reasoned viewpoints, is articulate and can reach out to people. He has great name recognition and would be able to raise money nationally.

If I were Coleman, I'd be frightened too.

Pete Rogan, Minneapolis.

Norm Coleman does whatever George W. Bush wants.

If Al Franken becomes a US Senator from Minnesota after a 2008 election, Franken will study bills more seriously than Norm Coleman does.

[koopie57]

1. I know I will be flamed for this

and I understand I probably deserve it, but had Norm Coleman run for governor I would have voted for him. I thought he did a good job in St. Paul. But to see how weak he is and such a Mini-Me of Bush I feel foolish now. I guess he will have to move and become a democrat again or maybe independent or change his name to norm gannon. Maybe he will have to become a male escort! It would be a step up from where he is now I guess.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Did you vote for Norm Coleman when he ran against Jesse Ventura? nt

nt

[dflprincess]

3. Yet, he failed to carry St. Paul

when he ran for governor and for senator. I understand he didn't even carry his own precinct in 2002.

[Krupskaya]

4. I'm not crazy about the idea, but...

...I would love to see the debates between Coleman and Franken. I don't think Franken will get the outstate votes he'd need, but I think he would rip Coleman to shreds in a slow, deliberate fashion that would make me very happy.

[Demrock6]

5. I think Franken could hold his own against Coleman......

What would his past career have to do with how good of a job he could do in the senate? It is not like he worked in a porn shop or something. I mean Norm was a lawyer for a while, so why is it bad Al was on SNL? Al would be able to connect better with Minnesotans I think as well.

Do I think he could win...? Probably not.

Patty Wetterling D-Minnesota Senior Senator elected '06
Al Franken D-Minnesota Junior Senator elected '08

I just cant see that happening.