I think Al Franken is running an outstanding campaign, and whoever wins the DFL endorsement (since it doesn't look like we will have a primary) I will do everything in my power to help that candidate take back Paul Wellstone's seat. I was however somewhat surprised with the Blue Majority endorsement of Franken yesterday. Here's why:
From my perspective previous Blue Majority, or Netroot supported candidates, have either been running against a DLC type opponent and/or have had the strong backing of their state's local netroots. Let's take a look at some previous Blue Majority (Netroots) endorsements...
From Jim Webb's Netroots ActBlue page (now Blue Majority) profile, bold added by me:
James Webb ran the ultimate people-powered primary campaign, winning his primary against his institutionally-backed opponent despite huge disadvantages in fundraising. Virginia bloggers have led the way showing the power of the netroots to create buzz and organization for good candidates, and Webb has not disappointed, quickly catapulting the Virginia Senate race – seen as sleepy just a few months ago – to one of the most interesting and seriously contested in the nation.
Here's some of what Kos wrote about Jon Tester when he was added to the Netroots Actblue page:
Here's a chance, with two competitive candidates in the general, to help a solid Democrat versus his quisling DLC-style opponent. It's the difference between a prairy-style populist and a corporatist Dem. Local bloggers in Montana LOOOVE Tester, and I'm convinced he presents the clearer alternative to Burns in a general election matchup.
And who can forgot all the work Connecticut bloggers did to help support a truly progressive, loyal Democrat over DLC, Bush kisser Joe Lieberman? Once again in that race there was a clear distinction between the candidates, and Ned Lamont had the strong backing of the local netroots. Jim Webb, Jon Tester and Ned Lamont's races for the U.S. Senate all had nearly uniform support from local bloggers, whose support helped build the grassroots campaigns of those candidates. Al Franken certainly has some support, but if you check out the Minnesota blogsphere I think you would have to say the local netroots remain largely undecided.
The other "top-tier" candidate in the MN-Sen race is Attorney Mike Ciresi, who by no one's account is a John Morrison or Joe Lieberman type Democrat. So I guess my point I am trying to make is that would it not make more sense for Blue Majority to support a candidate that does meet the criteria set by Lamont, Tester, and Webb?
This was not a diary meant to be negative about Al Franken (who I am actually leaning towards supporting right now), Kos, Chris Bowers or anyone else. I just hope it adds to the discussion and helps approve the future endorsement process of Blue Majority candidates.