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Franken, Mondale stop in Albert Lea
Published Monday, October 27, 2008
A somber and reflective moment of silence began a political rally that ended with a roaring chorus of support for DFL Party senatorial candidate Al Franken.
The big blue bus carrying Franken, former Vice President Walter Mondale and other Democratic candidates and party leaders made Albert Lea the third of four Saturday stops kicking off Franken’s 10-day “For the middle class, for a change” campaign swing that he hopes will carry him to victory in his battle with incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley.
A moment of silence began the rally at Albert Lea’s Ramada Inn, in memory of the late U.S. Sen.Paul Wellstone, who died in a plane crash six years ago Saturday. Franken spoke of his own passion for public service as being similar to the passion Wellstone displayed throughout his life.
About 100 people packed the room and gave Franken two standing ovations as he wrapped up his speech demanding change in government. Franken was born in New Jersey and moved to Albert Lea with his family at age 4. The family moved to St. Louis Park when Franken was 6. He spoke of his middle-class upbringing in Minnesota and decried the declining status of the class from which he came.
Al Franken
Referring to the 100,000 Minnesotans without health care, the 170,000 who can’t find jobs, and the 20,000 with homes in foreclosure, Franken spoke of his passion to be the voice of the hard pressed middle class. Fighting for tax cuts for middle class families, protecting Social Security, bringing the troops home from Iraq and ensuring better benefits for veterans were cited by Franken as policies he would promote if elected to the senate.
Franken asked for volunteers to help put him over the top, calling for 77,000 volunteers who would be willing to get up early and stay up late to make 1.5 million phone calls, and knock on 2 million doors before Election Day. He asked his supporters for a special kind of help.
“Put one of my bumper stickers on your vehicle and don’t cut anyone off for at least the next 10 days,” Franken quipped.
Noting that he had stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol last spring with David Wellstone, son of the late senator, Franken said he asked him if it was true that his dad would charge up and down the sidelines at soccer games, encouraging his children. The younger Wellstone responded that his father went so far as to run alongside him all the way through cross country events, challenging his son to take out the competitors ahead of him. Franken then promised to take out Coleman.
Walter Mondale
The first standing ovation of the rally was reserved for Mondale. The longtime DFL luminary called the 2008 election an historic moment and a time of fateful decisions for Americans. Mondale ripped Sen. Coleman for supporting Bush administration policies.
“Al Franken has guts. He is smart and he will shake things up in Washington,” Mondale said.
Responding to charges that Franken is waging a class war in his campaign Mondale said the class war is over and the middle class lost.
In a post-rally interview, Franken was asked if Dean Barkley’s candidacy was eroding Coleman’s base of support. He responded that Barkley was taking voters from both major party candidates and that people have a right to vote for whom they choose. He went on to emphasize his middle-class roots and values and promised to fight for the American working class.
Expressing concern over the growing economic crisis, Franken said he wants to work for affordable health care and greater support for education, including helping families pay for college costs.
“I want to work toward a green economy with jobs for middle-class workers,” Franken said. “Norm Coleman thinks you can subsidize the rich and the money will trickle down. I think we all know better than that by now.”
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Comments
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice choice of friends Al...
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good one, Virginian!
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Liked that one. Would you have the guy who lost by the biggest marign and who was vice president during the last time America was in the tubes come out as your biggest supporter?
Did anyone see the Biden interview and what happen to the news station. They asked him if Obama's idea to spread to wealth is Marxist. Biden flipped out and the Obama team is was not happy that he is being asked hard questions. Google it.....
Posted by 1126 (Amanda Lester) on October 27, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe you could tell us what the GOP candidates will do for the country rather than telling us, yet again, why you don't like the DFL candidates. Just a suggestion.
Posted by hometownguy (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Virginian - Did you ever study debate in school? I know your buddies think you are really funny but I wish you and other people who post on this site would consider attacking ideas and not people. The debate would be much more productive. I find you to be very disrespectful.
Posted by mrthunder (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
VIRG.
NETHER OR ALL CANDIDATES ARE WILL TO SAY WHAT IS REALISTIC
THERE IS NOT ONE OUT THERE THAT IS GOING TO FIX THIS ONE.
PROBLEM ONE. OUR GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING MORE THEN THEY ARE TAKING IN. WITH MORE PEOPLE LOOSING THERE JOBS THAT MEANS LESS TAXES.
TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SPENDING MORE THEN THEY MAKE FOR YEARS. NOW IT IS CATCHING UP THEY ARE PAYING FOR GOODS THEY ALREADY BOUGHT . SO THAT MEANS THEY HAVE NO MORE PURCHASING POWER
SO NO MATER WHO YOU VOTE FOR IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE IT GETS BETTER
Posted by lovelylady (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Virginian, you are a classic Republican. As a part of the loud and vocal minority the utilization of classic propaganda methodology is standard in your attacks.
Posted by hometownguy (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Virginian - You are wrong. I find you disrespectful because you resort to name calling. In no way did I insinuate that you could not voice your opinion. Tell me what sentence of my post gave you that idea. I believe that we are all Americans, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents and we all have a right to our opinions. I am discouraged by the tone of our politics, including many of the posts on the Tribune site. Much of it reminds me of elementary kids on the playground picking on each other. What a poor example it sets for our youth when we attack each other and our politicians rather than sticking to the issues. I guess I'm just an old school guy that still believes in treating others with respect. You certainly don't have to agree. And yes, I've done a lot of research on the national and state elections. My opinion is that all these character issues being brought up are being used as a distraction by those don't want to talk about real issues.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hometownguy,
Just what I have been trying to get across. We need to do away with the "parties". People should run on their own merits, print out what they have done in the past and what they want to do when they are in there. I really get tired of the mudslinging and name calling.
Good POINTS!!!
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Franken should listen to you first. Obama and Biden went balistic when questioned about their ideas. Not name calling just asking them to defend their ideas. Their idea to spread the wealth is a Marxist/socialist idea but it is to be off limits why? Because it is an unamerican idea that Obama has promoted since 2001. So with no name calling here is a real issue. In 2001 Obama promoted the spread the wealth concept and that it should be done by law backed up by the supreme court. In 2008 he said the same thing spread the wealth. Which is take my income and give it to others.
Here is a good way for the young students out there to think of it. In a class of 30 we will take all the kids who have A or B and the kids who have D and Fs we will redisribute the grades so that it is fair. Everyone will get Cs. The kids who worked hard for their A won't mind helping those who do have an A right. When you tell that to kids they scream it's unfair. So when asked I bet you if let them think about it as far as redistributing income (wealth) they come to the same statement.
So there you go all issues no name calling. Now it is your turn defend Socialism.
If you can great than next defend murder because that is the next issue in his past. I talk Obama because Al Franken believes the same as him.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NoDFL,
You make NO SENSE at all.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also need your help my 9 year old wanted to know what Rape is and why Al Franken was making jokes about it. How about that for issues. Asked him where he heard about rape said on TV from an ad for Al Franken. Now I know it is not Al Franken's ad that it is one against him but still why should I have to explain rape and why Al Franken made a joke about it and now why he wants to repersent Minnesota.
So there is another issue. You may not think character is an issue but it is.
Posted by gone (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tax breaks for big oil companies...
Sugar tariffs that prevent the import of foreign ethanol at prices less than US cost of production...
U.S. corporations shipping our jobs to China...
Have an oil industry president forget about finding Osama and start a new war in an oil rich company...
Yes, only Democrats re-distribute wealth.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, I'm just not understanding what the bringing in the students grades has to do with anything.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gone,
Tax breaks for all or better yet no taxes. Don't forget we changed the constitution to make it legal to tax us. Oh yea who push that amendment hummmm President Wilson a Dem said it was patriotic to pay taxes sounds like Biden.
The sugar tariffs you talk about again are a dem idea from your hero FDR.
Jobs that go to China are manufacturing jobs. The driving factor is cost. Wages and taxes. You and I want cheap goods we are unwilling to pay the higher cost for products that are produced in the US. If you lower taxes on those companies you give them the incentives to stay. Why do companies go to Iowa and the Dakotas they get incentives to come there. People and business both respond to incentives.
Oil is always your big come back yet where is your proof that he went to war for oil? Oil like anything else comes down to supply and demand. When you have government regulation that requires different blends for different states as well as state requirements for ethnol, also when no new refineries have been built since the 70s you set up unnatural shortages. The dems not allowing us to drill for our own oil just makes it worse. Man Econ 101 will tell you that when something is hard to find or get the cost will go up.
See you can not defend the re-distribution of my income. I still have economic freedom. I can choose to drive less, get a better car or ride the bus (if we had them in AL). It is still my choice. Obama's plan does not give me that choice so don't tell me the free market is re-distributing my income only government has that power.
Wingo,
What don't you get. I will try and explain it to you. I am with Virginian you had shown signs of understanding the issues but then you flake. Not attacking you just wondering what is up.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wingo,
It is a way to show how and why re-distribution of wealth (income) is unfair and unamerican. You and I work hard for our money just like students work hard for their grades and to take and give my income or their grades to someone who didn't earn them is just plain wrong.
Hey philly why don't we say vote for Obama so we can have 4 more years of Carter. It is the same thing. I would even say Obama will be worse than Carter good thing I still have my sweater and have turned down my heat to 65.
That is the problem no one (both parties) learns from their history. We the American people have the attention span of a flea. Everytime I see Obama and the crowds of people clapping all I can think about is a silly line from a movie..."This is how democracy dies to thunderous applause. "
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that no party has done their job for the people of the US. All I was saying is that I am really tired of the mudslinging and name calling. I like debates on the issues, not calling each other names. That seems to be all our politicians can do anymore. We do need a change and I understand a lot of people's concerns, but I will not call you names just because you don't think as I do. That is why I would do away with the party system if I could, let each individual run on their own merit and forbid name calling in election years. I know that will never happen, but I can always hope.
Another thing, I really don't give a darn that you republicans don't think I know anything, I have my opinion and I will stick to it. I will NEVER vote party, I will always vote for who I think is better. Unfortunately, over the past few years it has come down to voting for who is the lesser of two evils. Sad situation our country is in.
Posted by Truth (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will have to agree with you wingo. I don't think Republicans are attacking you but I could be wrong.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't mean to make it sound like they are attacking me, they just like it when someone doesn't think the same as them.
Posted by Truth (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So are you one of the undicided? I have finally made up my mind. The 2001 interview about spreading the wealth pushed me over the edge today.
Posted by regulators (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The oil issue is only a Republican wedge issue to make an appearance that they care about the average working middle class person.
Plus, offshore drilling (which Obama supports unfortunately) would take two decades to get going and would only a minimal impact on gas (3-4 cents/gallon).
Obama took the wrong stance however this is a touchy issue and something he had to do to avoid being "swift boated" by the Rebulican Thugs.
On another note, did you hear ANOTHER Republican (R. Alaska - Sen. Stevens) was found guilty today of corruption? I wonder when it will be Norm Coleman's turn...
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So it is only republicans that have corruption? Give me a break there are just as many Dems. A freezer full of money ring a bell? What about sweatheart deals from Countrywide or 90 million in take home for cooking the books at Fannie Mae. Also way to pull the party line about off shore drilling and no Obama dose not support it. Never has never will.
You will always repeat the party talking points won't you. Maybe we should be more like Wingo but I doubt that will happen Obamanuts can not think for themselves.
Posted by gone (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Manufacturing leads the job exodus but remember that we lose about 100,000 legal jobs per year to India. Our newspaper writing jobs are going overseas. Our product design jobs are heading overseas, etc. You can hire a degree engineer for about $10,000 per year in India. A typical Chinese manufacturing facility has labor cost 8% of that in the U.S. You can hire a licensed architect in the Philipines for $150/month. Moving a business to South Dakota saves some MN corporate tax but the real incentive in going outstate or overseas is the reduced labor cost.
Bipartisanship aside, the focus needs to be on keeping American dollars in the U.S. We scour stores looking for U.S. made goods and frequently pay much more than the Chinese import prices. If you spend the money in your community on U.S. made products you may pay more but the dollars recirculate time and time again.
Sugar tariffs are very complex. They began in 1816 long before FDR. The tariffs artifically drive US prices for consumers up. President Reagan played in the sugar world by reinstating import quotas after a twelve year absence.
Having government inherently involves redistribution of wealth for infrastructure, military, etc.
Obviously we did not go to Iraq because of oil, just as we did not go to Saudi Arabia because of oil in 1990, just as we did not enter WWII in Europe until Hitler went after the oil in North Africa. We went to Iraq because of the WMD's. Every reasonable person knows that.
Posted by kona (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 5:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
it is still beyond me that franken is even a consideration in this election.
do people not research his past and the kind of man he really is?
Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NoDFL and Virginian should be given a break. This is the last week they have to bask in their delusional sunlight of a Republican administration before going down bigtime in the election next week. Do not let their babble get under your skin. Obama will win in a landslide next week. McCain is washed-up. I have been writing about this here since September 28. No close contest, no McCain, no Palin.
Posted by regulators (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NoDFL - Explain why Norm Coleman took 5 trips to Alaska over the past three years to raise money at invitation only gatherings for "Big Oil." Who hosted these party's? Of course convicted felon Sen-R. Ted Stevens. Will the money and contacts Norm Coleman made along side Steven's effect his judgment?
Coleman absolutely has to leave. We must remove the corruption in Washington, republicans and democrats.
Posted by regulators (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I see Coleman did end up returning the contributions felon Sen. R Ted Steven's gave him "this year." A total of $31,000. I'm really curious how much Steven's has given to Coleman over the past years and in indirect contributions...
Posted by regulators (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh, what a joy to live in the ole' USA with such die hard party men.
Point those fingers, but it took a lot of people a long time and both parties to get us where we are today.
I for one am not proud of either one of the parties.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone tell me why the LA Times is refusing to release a video that shows Obama prasing a know spokesman for the PLO who has called for the destrution of the Jewish state. He has called him a dear close friend who has taught him that America is wrong to support the Jewish state.
Is the press in the bag for Obama? I would say yes.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just how many of either party's propaganda do you believe? It is well known they all tell lies and half truths. We all need to be detectives to even vote anymore.
Posted by hometownguy (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Virginian and NoDFL - Republicans with far right views like the two of you are the best thing that has happened to the Democrats in years. Most people are much worse off today than they were eight years ago. Your economic policies have failed and you are out of touch with the majority of Americans. I think you will see this is true on Nov. 4. Until the Republican party moves back towards the center, which I believe they will, your party is going to be in the back seat. As for all this socialism you write about. Obama wants to raise the top income tax rate 3% more than McCain would have it. That means that McCain is 3% less of a socialist than Obama, but a socialist just the same. As a middle class person, I look forward to a tax break. When the middle class is doing well, America does well. Your trickle down economics has not trickled down to me, that's for sure.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Which tax break are you getting the one for 95% of all Americans or the one for 95% of working Americans or are you part of the $250,000 crowd if not don't worry it is $200,000 wait Biden just changed that it is now $150,000 for a married couple. Wow if each person makes $75,000 (Which isn't hard if you have a good education or a good job) than you are rich and you get to spread your wealth (income) to me. What I find so funny is less than a year ago the market was at record highs and I never heard you left wing socialist complain. Funny oil is back to where it was in May of last year. Next didn't the market climb 800 points today? But the market really dosen't show the truth. What about unemployement. Full employement is 5% and lets see the nationa average is %6.6 so really unemployment is %1.6 yea very bad.
If the main stream media was not in the tank for Obama you would have an open discusion about what is going on. Obama wants to spread the wealth (income) McCain understands the poor do not create jobs never have never will. You will never build up a society by tearing down the top. Your man JFK said that when he asked congress to lower the taxes on the rich. But it dosn't play well with the masses any more. So Obama may try and buy the election but I put my faith in the American people. Minnesota has not voted for a president independly of DNC in years so why should it change now. Don't count out the Rep just like we could not count the Dems out when they had their down years.
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