Al Franken made a sort of unofficial announcement at my university in the Law School atrium a few years back (2/24/05) that he would be returning to Minnesota to run for the US Senate seat held by Norm Coleman. I was thrilled! I had read his books and had seen him on Saturday Night Live. I thought he was hilarious, intelligent, well spoken and a great comedian. Leaving the event I thought he would be a sure fire thing for the DFL nomination - that's the MN Democratic party endorsement - and would run circles around Norm Coleman. Franken said he would be a serious candidate... run as a serious politician.
Nearly three years later I have been left somewhat less than impressed (to put it nicely - I am Minnesotan after all) by his candidacy and his campaign. Even with the celebrity name and favorable press he's been receiving, I couldn't see myself supporting him. Not agreeing with his ideas and being wary of his positions on issues might have something to do with it. February 5th, 2008 would be my first precinct caucus ever but had no one to support. I then learned Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer was also in the running for the endorsement! New to the political landscape, Jack was the runner up in the primary while campaigning for MN-05 (where Keith Ellison now sits) in 2006. I believe he is now a serious contender - with an army of loyal and passionate delegates, volunteers and staff - for the DFL endorsement to run against Norm Coleman and take back Paul Wellstone's Senate seat.
Very rarely do I get excited by politics, and even rarer by politicians. I once stood on the boulevard on campus and waved a Kerry sign in '04 - and that's about it. Rather, I like the community that all of this politics business creates (uhh, DKos anyone?) to talk about policy. I like to attend the local DFL meet-ups and talk about what it is about Democratic politics and issues that draw me in rather than the who's who. So that is what I look for when offered a selection of politicians looking for my vote - the What, the substance. There are three "E's" that I look at straight away: Energy, Environment and Economics. If you want a Senator who will support renewable energy via wind and solar the look to Jack. If you want a Senator who will oppose the building of coal-fired power plants, then look to Jack. If you want a Senator that will repeal the Bush tax cuts, cut military spending and actually pay (as opposed to borrow!) for things with progressive taxation... look to Jack! As my friends say, Jack really is 5 years ahead of his time. Whether it be global warming, that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 (during the lead up to the invasion) or equal rights for GLBT people (and so much more!), Jack has been at the forefront advocating and professing for the best, correct and progressive policies and solutions. Maybe it has something to do with a life filled with advocating for those who cannot do so for themselves. There is also that unfortunate, yet still present business regarding the Iraq war. I want to support a candidate that has been clearly and consistently opposed to the war since the beginning and is dedicated to ending it as quickly as possible. I want to support someone that debated republican members of Congress (Jim Ramstad) regarding the Iraq war. Serving on Paul Wellstone's foreign policy board is a good addition to one's CV as well. And like most Minnesotans, health care pops up as big issue for me, politically. I pay 100 % of my health insurance costs and am well under covered. For years I have wanted to see universal coverage in this country. In my finance classes I got to read about Bill McGuire's (ex-United Health Group CEO - based in MN) stock options and the following backdating scandal and his golden parachute worth billions, all because he "added value" to an apparent health care company. It made me sick! Via Jack's national, single-payer, comprehensive plan, supporting Jack is the best way to get to what it is I deem ideal in a Health System. These are all clear differences not only with Norm Coleman, but also Al Franken. This is what I want, this is why I support Jack! He gets it.
I've read the Daily Kos for quite some time now (years) never writing, rarely posting. With the big senate races gearing up across the country and the polls making their way to the front page the Franken - Coleman contrasting has started. But we haven't even picked our DFL Senate candidate and I'm blown away by a sort of hostility that comes from such a massive progressive site toward Jack. I've seen people write him off as a joke of a candidate, a poor choice, not enough money, too pure (left) and quite a bit else and it bothers me to no end! It's simply not true. I know this site is about getting Democrats elected, but at what cost? Do I have to compromise everything I wrote above in the name of getting Norm Coleman kicked out? Do I have to compromise and accept Franken's 50 state health care plan? His vague and ambiguous early stance on the war? Maybe part of it is seeing Franken's supporters unable to pronounce his name correctly and call subcaucuses that don't make any sense (Franken - Single Payer, what?!) Or perhaps it's reading in the Star Tribune that Franken has ran a grassroots campaign by not tapping up his out-of-state friends for campaign donations one week and that he is fundraising in Los Angeles the next. For me, he is a frustrating candidate to grasp who gives uninspired performances at debates. Can either of them beat Coleman? I dunno, but I sure hope so. When the dust has finally settled in June I will proudly back the DFL endorsee. Until then, I proudly back Jack.