Yay! New poll has Franken edging past Coleman in MN

[K8-EEE]

Go AL!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/15/al-franken-edges-out-sen_n_112832.html

[babylonsister]

1. Not So Fast: Another Poll Shows Franken Trailing

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/not_so_fast_another_poll_shows.php

Not So Fast: Another Poll Shows Franken Trailing
By Eric Kleefeld - July 15, 2008, 10:57AM

A poll out the other day gave hope to national Dems, because it seemed to suggest that Al Franken had taken an improbable lead over GOP incumbent Senator Norm Coleman. But not so fast: Another survey out finds the opposite result.

The numbers from SurveyUSA: Coleman 52%, Franken 39%, not significantly changed since a month ago. Somewhat counterintuitively, the poll's internals show Coleman ahead 58%-31% among voters age 18-34.

Yesterday's Rasmussen poll gave Franken a two-point lead, after trailing 48%-45% a month ago.

Both pollsters have good reputations, so it's really not clear what the status quo is at this point -- but a one-time comedian might just have a real shot at knocking off a GOP incumbent in a real upset.

[K8-EEE]

4. weird since Obama is strong there

I don't understand Coleman's appeal, the sniveling little weasel!!! Why would somebody vote for Obama and then Coleman? Coleman's a BushBot!

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Counterintuitively is putting it mildly. I cannot imagine that a state that elected Wellstone could

stay with Coleman after his disgusting record.

[K8-EEE]

9. Al was a good friend of Wellstone's

I would be so pleased if he won -- it would be some vindication.

I just don't understand Coleman's appeal at all!

[trotsky]

11. The thought process of many Minnesota voters is difficult to understand.

Having been born and raised here, I can somewhat begin to grasp it. It's generally not about issues, but about voting AGAINST the person who bothers you more. A story about my dad and Wellstone's 1990 election may help illustrate:

Wellstone was a true underdog in that election. He was running against Rudy Boschwitz, an incumbent Senator, very successful local businessman, with deep, deep warchests. Granted Wellstone appealed to a lot of people because he came across as such a genuine and nice person, but Boschwitz was in control in that race. UNTIL his campaign (or he?) made a couple of last-minute mistakes. One was called the "Bad Jew letter." Boschwitz (also a Jew) had criticized Wellstone for marrying a Christian. Wellstone was therefore a "bad Jew."

Just prior to the election I was kidding my dad (a usually loyal Republican voter) about voting for Boschwitz and he said, "No, I'm voting for the other guy." Taken aback, I asked why. His response? "Because I don't get into that good Jew / bad Jew shit."

Now my father's possible anti-Semitism aside (though was he really anti-Semitic if he was still going to vote for a Jew? :)), it captures the essence of what I suspect is running through the minds of a sizable number of Minnesota voters. Issues are secondary to one's personal opinion of a candidate.

Another example: Rod Grams, an idiot former TV newsreader ran for Senate in 1994 and beat Ann Wynia, an accomplished state legislator, and a big factor was a successful campaign by the Republicans to portray Wynia as skipping out on her "family duties". The irony was that this same item came back and helped oust Rod in 2000. His son was in a bunch of trouble, was kind of a hoodlum, and the Minnesota voters decided it was Rod's turn to direct attention back to his "family duties."

[K8-EEE]

12. interesting, thank you!

Well I certainly can't explain the Arnie thing that happened here in CA -- I guess states are nutty in their own way!

[BrklynLiberal]

14. Appreciate the insights. Thanks.

[Seen the light]

17. It's not so much Coleman as it is Franken I would imagine

After what happened with Jesse Ventura, I can understand why Minnesotans might be a little leery of putting in other very flamboyant celebrity in a high-profile office.

Hope Franken wins though. The US Senate would never be the same again!

[Eric J in MN]

2. Donate to the Al Franken campaign.

Let's keep the momentum going. I've donated.

http://www.alfranken.com

[K8-EEE]

3. I donate $10 per quarter from CA

GO AL GO!

[Eric J in MN]

10. Thank you. NT

NT

[wtmusic]

5. I would love to see Norm get the boot

but I'll always cherish the memories of his spanking by George Galloway.

[kentuck]

7. Franken needs to tie Coleman a little closer to Bush...

People in MN need to see what Senator Coleman has supported.

[K8-EEE]

8. Exactly!!! Obama has a double digit lead there.

Surely that means that people are not in line with McSame....if Coleman does any campaigning for McCain they should really run that into the ground, as well any Bush asskissing he's done. Smear Bush all over him!

[Eric J in MN]

13. I haven't seen any negative ads from Al Franken yet. NT

NT

[K8-EEE]

15. Well if what they say here about the MN voters is correct

Get the nega-tory goin' there AL!

I think just some well-deserved BushSmear on Coleman's mug should do wonders.

[Eric J in MN]

16. MN needs two Democratic Senators.

Please visit Al Franken's website and consider donating:
http://www.alfranken.com