Al Franken

Al Franken Talks

tptadmin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:25:11 -0600

In his first TV interview since the election, Al Franken sits down with our Mary Lahammer. We invited both Franken and Senator Norm Coleman to appear on this week's show. Senator Coleman turned down our request.

The Senate Race Comes Down To The Wire

tptadmin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:14:44 -0500

Almanac's Mary Lahammer took a trip around the state this week in pursuit of the three major candidates for U.S. Senate. We present you Norm Coleman, Al Franken and Dean Barkley in their own words as they stumped the state... with a little help from some political friends.

Clinton/Franken Event - Main Speakers

Mary Lahammer — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:46:21 -0500

After a long wait, Al Franken took to the stage and launched with a joke asking Pres. Bill Clinton if he was nervous because of the big crowd. It was a funny and relaxed moment that many expected more of from the comedian candidate. Franken projected confidence in his loose demeanor with Clinton sitting by his side. On policy, he reminded people of jobs created in Clinton's era because "government can work with the right people running it." Franken said it's "time for change."

Clinton continued the humorous tone, playing off Franken's joke that some people needed to get new friends. Instead, the former president said as a Southern Baptist he wants people to convert their friends. He said it was Hillary who sent him to their old friend who he said has "turned into a regular policy wonk" who has delivered a serious campaign.

Inside Clinton/Franken Event

Mary Lahammer — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:18:25 -0500

Here's the empty room inside the Minneapolis Convention Center. Obama and Franken signs hang side by side. The backdrop (which seems required campaign staging now) is an enormous American flag. Music with the theme of change is being tested. The room is huge and stark. The crowd won't be coming in for a while yet.

People poured into the Minneapolis Convention Center when the doors opened to see Pres. Bill Clinton and Senate candidate Al Franken--and perhaps most important to this crowd rally for Barack Obama. Supporters are really fired up wearing homemade t-shirts for the presidential candidate. Because Bill is reportedly running late (as usual) there are lots of warm up speakers to keep the crowd entertained while standing on their feet for what will be hours. Gubernatorial hopefuls like Clark, Kelliher, Rybak, Coleman all took to the mic. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's high approval ratings proved true in this crowd, getting the loudest applause of the night.

Almanac - October 24, 2008 : Senate Debate Special

tptadmin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:12:58 -0500

Norm Coleman, Al Franken and Dean Barkley sit down with Cathy Wurzer and Eric Eskola live in the tpt studios for the final televised Senate Debate of the campaign season. There are no stop watches or podiums and we have encouraged the candidates to talk directly to each other for what we hope will be an engaging hour of conversation

Senate Race MN: 3 Big Moments

tptadmin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:53:40 -0500

Al Franken's Big Three

tptadmin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:59:10 -0500

Mary Lahammer continues her election-year profile of U.S. Senate candidates. This week we meet Al Franken and his family.

Big Three Bombshells

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:53:12 -0500

Tune in to Almanac tonight because we think we have some news to report. I’ve been working on the biographies of the Senate candidates in a show called "Senate Race MN: Big Three Moments" it’s the big three moments of the three candidates’ lives, the personal turning points for Dean Barkley, Norm Coleman and Al Franken. The whole program premieres Oct. 22 8:00 pm on TPT-2.

We got amazing access to all the candidates’ homes, wives, and children for emotional and candid interviews. One candidate revealed something that he told me he wanted to get out before his opponents got to it first. We will reveal that tonight on Almanac. Next week we’ll have more interesting news on another candidate. We’re talking about things that everyone has whispered about in Minnesota politics for years, but rarely if ever talked about on the record.

So, for all of those who wondered why my blog and I dropped off the radar screen recently, this is why. This project has been incredibly surprising, rewarding and draining. I see all the candidates in a different light and understand them on a deeply personal level and I think viewers will too. We've never seen them like this. I really have to thank the Barkleys, Colemans and Frankens for being so willing to open up about some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Senate Campaign Managers

tptadmin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:58:27 -0500

We sit down with officials from the Coleman, Franken and Barkley campaigns. We talk ad strategy and other topics. Cullen Sheehan, Andy Barr and Jim Gibson are our guests.

The New Senate Race

Mary Lahammer — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:36:07 -0500

With primary opponents out of the way, Al Franken sought to "kick off the general election with a rally." You'll recall he also kick-started his campaign after Ciresi got out of the race and got criticized for not being available to the media. Today's event press release was careful to note that "a media availability will follow." Franken's camp created some strong images with supporters rallying around. The site was the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center, obvious symbolism there.

Since, Sen. Norm Coleman is in D.C. today, his campaign manager Cullen Sheehan had a press conference rolling out three new ads. Sheehan also noted at Franked "failed to get the support of one-third" of voters in the primary. They want former Sen. Dean Barkley in the debates and think Barkley will appeal to possible Franken voters. Sheehan said "what Barkley does is put Franken in third place on public service" since he's never held office.

Political reporters are expecting a pretty predictable campaign, more of the same for the next 6 weeks. But if Minnesota history holds true, big races bring big surprises at the last minute: Boschwitz/Wellstone, Grunseth/Carlson, Wellstone/Mondale/Coleman, Pawlenty/Hatch. Expect the unexpected in Minnesota politics.