New Al Franken Ad Features His Wife Discussing Her Battle With Alcohol
By Logan Murphy Thursday Oct 02, 2008 6:30pm
Al Franken's new ad features his wife talking about her struggles with alcoholism and how he helped her get through it and kept their family going. It's so refreshing to see a this kind of revealing and personal ad from a politician, especially in today's volatile climate.
You can see all of Al's ads at his Franken For Senate YouTube Page and if you would like to show him some love and donate to his campaign and help him give Norm Coleman the boot, you can visit his official campaign website.
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Well there goes Al's chances of being elected.
Not sure how this will play out, perhaps it is a pre-emptive strike on something expected from the Coleman camp. But if the good folks of MN don't see his value and return Norm Coleman, Al will still have a great life. Play on Al.
Yeah, that ad really makes Al seem untrustworthy /snark
I think Al Franken is smart, courageous, dedicated and he loves this country. There's a special place for people that care enough to put their money and their hearts on the line for what they believe in. Not to mention the fact that he's running against a real scumbag.
Go Al!
Go, Al, Go!!! True progressives will get my vote every time.
OK, but what's with the hair?
I only said what the rest of you were thinking!
I can see the low road to November coming from the GOP on this one. I admire this ad but not sure how it will play out....yes I do. They'll play it back to the 70's and the culture Al was part of. Drugs and alcohol. They'll skip the part about how people like him were able to mature and work through it. Good for him and his family. I've seen the devastation first hand how alcoholism can have on a family and it takes a strong person and family to get through it. Best wishes and admiration to Al and his family. Like Logan said, you don't see this kind of honesty from politicians. I think it would help McCain if they did something like this with Cindy's drug abuse. But conservatives CANNOT show any weakness.
I sooo dislike these kinds of stories in politics.
It's akin to boosh posing with soldiers as background props.
I prefer ethos and logos where one argues yours is best
Without impugning your oppostion.
OhBilly, I agree with you, but humans make mistakes and honest humans don't hide from them, they face up to them and speak the truth. In this case, in typical Franken style, rather then seeing weakness he saw an opportunity to enlighten and help others.
Well this ad doesn't help in my opinion. Oh well, not like Al was going to win anyway.
Al is way ahead of Norm in the polls - and way out of the margin of error. And you don't think he'll win why? See the article link below.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/...
The Right will pounce on this, they will easily forget Bush's struggles with booze. The difference? Bush has an 'R' next to his name.
I support Al Franken, but I don't like this ad at all. I think it will play as too contrived. It may even backfire- using your wife's pain as a political prop might come off as a bit shameless. There are so many other ways to show your "soft" side.
ysbaddaden @ 7:
Huh? Did we look at the same ad? What's there to dislike? From what I saw and heard, there was nary a mention of his opposition. This is a refreshingly sincere ad - different - and that will resonate with people who are tired of the daggers-drawn, uncivil and offensive type ads that have so permeated the national discourse for too long.
Minnesota sucks. Fran Tarkington was a pussy. http://www.eatcurds.com/
My only concern about Al is that he may have trouble muzzling the jokes. It's just the way his mind works and while there is a time and placed for it...he'll have to keep it serious as a Senator. I haven't been following his campaign but I'd be very interested in how he's been playing to Minnesotans? If anyone can respond to that a bit, I'd greatly appreciate it.
If Sarah Phalin can get away with identifying herself with "joe 6-pack", and actually appeal to that block of repugliCON voters, then it is perfectly fine for Al to portray himself in such a down-to-earth, realistic fashion, without suffering any negative repercussion. Indeed, I feel that this ad truly a stroke of genius that complements Al's style.
Al has never hidden the family struggle. As a matter of fact, he sees it as the way toward health. He adores his wife and kids and for some reason - I think this ad will be helpful. I still recall the film "Stuart Saves his Family". There is a sweetness in that silly little film that is very real. Al Franken is smart and good - a rare combination. Minnesota could not do better than to elect him as their senator. In my state - one of my senator's is a smart and decent woman and the other one - well - let us just say alcohol is his problem and everyone knows it - he has not been treated. My senator has recently come up in the justice department prosecutor scandal. Actually, he could be prosecuted. Compare him and Al - Al is the winner as a human being.
I have seen two ads this campaign season that have made my eyes water when I watch them. This is one of them. The other one was also produced by the Al Franken campaign. It was the one with the deceased soldier's parents talking about how Norm Coleman refused to stand up to oppose Bush's occupation of Iraq.
It's funny that two ads from a former comedian could touch my emotions like that. Go Al!
Al's behind Norm here in MN...not looking good, guys... :(
Don't over intellectualize this. Al obviously loves his wife (if you've listened to him over the years). Life is what happens to you when your busy making other plans. Someone said that.
I don't know if this is a preemptive ad, but it will resonate with regular people. And, Coleman (the big toothed cadaver) can't engage real emotions--largely because he is an "empty suit hitting a fan" to paraphrase Galloway.
Al should be supported.
Damn, that's a brave ad, and I'm in the TV biz. I'm baffled by most of the previous comments.This is not a fake, weepy, fat southern Mom asking 'How'm I gonna make ends meet", BS this a real story.
This is not soldiers as props, a repug tactic. I respect this ad, and those in it.
I've worked with Franken a couple of times, and he was gracious, and funny.
The Reps have no one of that description.
The only thing Palin could claim, is that if she was pulling the trigger, like Cheney, the fucker would not have been "peppered" he'd have no head.
How those idiots in Minnesota of all places, could re-elect an ass-whipe like Coleman over Al is mind boggling.
But then again, those dumb fucks elected Ventura too!
someguy @ 1:
You're wrong. Alcoholism is a common problem for so many people, even we Minnesotans. No one will be shocked or judge them; Minnesota is the rehab capital of the US - people with every kind of dependency come here and there's no stigma.
Conservative Swedes need something to rattle them -- as long as nothing is going wrong they won't rock the boat. Strange seeing a wingnut like Coleman as a senator from MN. When I lived in MN back in the 70's/80's it was basically a DFL stronghold, Humphrey, Mondale, etc. And progressives like Wellstone (damn, that was a tragic loss) are/were still part of the political makeup in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Even though I live in WA now I've still sent some dough Al's way. He's a good man and MN should dump Coleman.
"The dead have risen and they're voting Republican!" -- Bart Simpson
P.D. @ 10:
It's not like Frannie's gonna be Vice-Senator, one step from awesome power.
Yes, it's true the Pukes would have used it. They may still, who knows; they are vermin.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 21:
Well golly gosh darnit, this dumb fuck didn't vote for either Coleman or Ventura. If you'll remember back a whole six years, our Wellstone went down in an plane 10 days before the election. What you probably don't know is that Mondale, who only had those 10 days to mount a campaign and in that time there was a funeral for Paul, only lost by 3% to Coleman. We're not going to re-elect Coleman since even the conservatives here are sick of W and since Coleman lives in W's colon, calm down and stop it with the foul mouth crap.
alcoholism, eh? that might explain her nasty behaviour at the DFL convention. And a true progressive he ain't. i've always voted Democrat but Al will not be getting my vote this time around. Minnesotans (and non-Minnesotans alike) should be ashamed for endorsing this man.
The abundance of drinking establishments and the long, dark winters explain why Alaska has the highest alcoholism rate in the USA. That also explains why Palin is Governor
Professor Farnsworth @ 18:
Perhaps Al Franken was never meant to take the place of the immortal Paul Wellstone...
ontheleftcoast @ 23:
Things aren't that great here and the Swedes (I'm 1/4, of course and my husband is 1/2) are not in the majority anymore. Rocking the boat is not rare anymore (look at the horrid Ventura fiasco - geez). Bush/Cheney are NOT popular - but it is true that where I am in St Paul and of course in Minneapolis, we are highly progressive. In the more rural areas, it can be more conservative; BUT, we've been hit by the same foreclosure crap and bad economy as everyone else. Al has a real chance. Norm is not loved.
Marcinema @ 20:
Both Cheney and Palin, should she be installed, would be pikers in the Deadly VP Sweeps. the clear winner is Aaron Burr, VP under Jefferson, and the third VP of the USofA. You remember Aaron Burr. He killed Alexander Hamilton in a pistol duel while he was VP.
Too bad Cheney and Paulson didn't seem have cause to quarrel over this odious fucking bail-out of the bankers.
What, pray tell, are you smoking trustno1@26? What has Al done that you think isn't progressive? Can you name something specific or are you just a wanna be troll?
woody@30
Nah, Burr wasn't as bad as Darth Cheney. Burr and Hamilton agreed to a duel. They both knew one (or both) of them could well be mortally wounded. The Sith Lord shot his opponent (git 'em on the rise!) without warning or provocation -- while drunk! Then got his victim to lie about it afterwords. Man, I wonder what the payoff was for that?
No Bailout Thread? The ultimate coup?
Damn, that made me want to watch that video again. An instant classic.
libsechumanist @ 22:
Betty Ford, anyone?
McC(umst)ain's favorite trollop (notice i didn't use the "c" word?) is a self-confessed oxy-junkie who admitted STEALING drugs from a fucking charity clinic, for the love of fucking christ.. If she's hurting his campaign, I've not noticed.
I also note that the Dims have decided that's off-limits, for some reason.
Professor Wagstaff @ 28:
Hey, Wagstaff!! How go the fight at "lite blue?'
L.A. Confidential @ 33:
Hey LA, I thought Hillary was going to campaign hard for Obama? She's more scarce these days than Dick Cheney.
Worse yet, she came out and Caribou Barbie was "an effective debater" or some such nonsense. Maybe that's a trick to lure Quaylin (hmm, Cheney! Look! Quail!) out into more press interviews. Still, it smacks of Bill's praise of McLame. With friends like the Clintons who needs enemies?
woody, tokin librul @ 35:
I don't understand. My comment was ironic. As a listener of Al Frankin's Air America show, it is obvious to me that taking back Paul Wellstone's Senate seat, is Al Franken's mission in life. And I could not think of anyone better suited to do that, with the possible exception of Garrison Keillor.
ontheleftcoast @ 31:
Al's a sweet guy, I think. Funny, if too repetitive for my taste. But it didn't take very ling listeniung to his radio show to decide he's a Liberal, but not a liberal (like I'm not a Democrat, I'm a democrat, e.g.). He's a lefty--far more than, say, Ed Schultz, about whom I wrote yesterday on my blog. But I wouldn't place him alongside Wellstone politically. Franken's a left-moderate with a scathing sense of humor.
I'll never forget or forgive Franken for not sticking to Frank Luntz when he had a chance, on his show, when Luntz announced he thought of himself as a "good person doing good work for bad people." Franken let that pass right into the ether without so much as a snicker. Somebody needed to say "Sieg Heil." ...Crickets....I was disgusted...
ontheleftcoast @ 37:
And the Clintons have lots of friends, as recent votes have proven...
ontheleftcoast @ 37:
From Quayle to Reagan to Bush to Palin, the bar is always set low for Republicans. No one expects much of them other than to be able to walk across the stage without falling down and perhaps come up with a couple of good gotcha one liners, that' it.
Yeah, I agree with your analysis woody@39 but I can't fathom the venom of that other guy. Al is running for the seat and he's the best hope MN has to get a voice from the left back in the Senate. Sure, he's no Paul Wellstone, but Paul was a rara avis. Don't hold that against Al. I think Al will listen to the people and you'll be able to move him more to the left once he gets a feel for what he's doing and who he's representing. Oh well, there I go again, being an optimist.
I'm afraid Al is going to need every stop pulled out he can find. The polls took a HUGE drop in favor of coleman, and I was really hoping to see Al Franken blow the old "rubber stamper" out of office.
Could still happen, but it's going to take a big awakening in Minnesota to do it. I've got my fingers crossed for him.
L.A. Confidential @ 33:
Because it was a bipartisan coup. Come on, LAC. Get with the program.
[Are you guys blind? http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/03/house-passes-wall-street-bailou... Site Monitor]
Johnny2Bad @ 44:
another nine eleven
[Are you guys blind? http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/03/house-passes-wall-street-bailou... Site Monitor]
woody, tokin librul @ 35:
Coleman is such an oily, reptillian creature. Al Franken is so warm and intelligent and principled. How in the world do those nice Minnesotans decide that the neocon stooge is their guy? A Franken victory would be great for Minnesota and great for the Senate. Norm Coleman is a shonda for the goyim.
Professor Wagstaff @ 45:
Sorry, today's vote has me hitting the Malt Liquor Bull of the "Ice" variety.
ontheleftcoast @ 31:
well for starters, he calls himself an environmentalist yet thinks clean coal technology and nuclear energy are viable options. that dimwit al gore even endorsed franken. how does an environmentalist endorse someone who is for clean coal and nuclear energy? give me a break. and let's not forget franken's horrible healthcare plan -- to let each individual state decide, while he then turns around and touts we need a universal healthcare plan. i'm trying to figure out if you're hung up on his celebrity status or if you're selective in what you read about him and gloss over the facts.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 21:
We won't and fuck you. Get a brain and look at (research?) how the three party divided political environment has prevented Democrats from winning in Minnesota--a liberal state.
ontheleftcoast @ 31:
What, pray tell, are you smoking trustno1@26? What has Al done that you think isn’t progressive? Can you name something specific or are you just a wanna be troll?
"well for starters, he calls himself an environmentalist yet thinks clean coal technology and nuclear energy are viable options. that dimwit al gore even endorsed franken. how does an environmentalist endorse someone who is for clean coal and nuclear energy? give me a break. and let’s not forget franken’s horrible healthcare plan — to let each individual state decide, while he then turns around and touts we need a universal healthcare plan. i’m trying to figure out if you’re hung up on his celebrity status or if you’re selective in what you read about him and gloss over the facts."
So what 's the option - voting for Coleman???? Look, the only viable option IS Franken, no matter what you think of him. Get Coleman out of there, and then you can work to either move Al further to the left or find someone to give him a serious challenge from the left in 6 years.
Focus on the prize: 60 (or more) Dems in the Senate. At this point, whichever candidate that has a "D" after his name is the one we should support. (P.S. - I'm not a loyal Dem, I'm an Independent who's tired of neocon rule.)
Amazing! I am so impressed at the honesty. We in Canada wish you all the best!
12 IdiotShrub
I'm not saying this particular commercial is impugning anyone. But I dislike biography replacing policy in political debates.
I was a drunk, I was addicted to prescription drugs, I'm sending a son off to Iraq, I have a Down Syndrome baby.etc...etc...etc...
We got an economy on it's last legs, infrastructure crumbling, occupations in foreign lands that's costing us more money than it's producing, massive business bailouts etc to address.
This should play well for voting women. There is a strong bonding for the stand up guy who supports his wife and family through good and bad times. This resonates for women. Al Franken can't get too sappy and over play this story himself, but having his wife tell the story gives it validation. It takes courage to tell your story and lending yourself as an example that your candidate husband demonstrates loyalty and has a courageous heart.
Franni Franklen felt that the election is too important not to use all aspects of her truth to battle the corporate Repubs that screwing this country to pieces.
ysbaddaden @ 7:
Even though I lived most of my life in the United States, I still don't understand this... what does a politico's family have to do with the political office? In the few instances I can think of from Latin America where the spouse was even mentioned (Juan Peron's two wives, Christina Fernandez de Kirschner (all from Argentina) and Martha Sahugan de Fox, the spouse had political ambitions in her own right.
Oh PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Please win, Al!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111693/
When the GOP starts to bludgeon him over this, all Al has to do is mention that George W. Bush is also an alcoholic.
libsechumanist @ 22:
Franken isn't in the lead.
And this may be enough to keep him from winning.
Yes, he's in the lead - 43 to 34, margin of error 3.7 - this poll came out yesterday, after your post. So, we will elect Al and everyone can calm down. See article link below
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/...
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rustno1 Says: alcoholism, eh? that might explain her nasty behaviour at the DFL convention. And a true progressive he ain’t. i’ve always voted Democrat but Al will not be getting my vote this time around.
----
If you've always voted for Dems, then you'd say you've always voted Democratic.
You're obviously very comfortable with Norm Coleman in the Senate.
Good luck to you,
- Tom
Ahh, another naive greenie. So you don't think it is possible to burn coal cleanly. Fine, I disagree with you. Sequestering CO2 is not only possible, recent technological breakthroughs could actually use it to suck current excess CO2 from the atmosphere. On nuclear, he has come out for this and again, I agree with him and those "right wing" tools the *FRENCH*. We're still using 40 year old technology for nuclear energy in this country. Yeah, it had problems. But you're not using a 40 year old computer on the Web, are you? Sure, we should be using more solar and more wind but there isn't enough of it nor the infrastructure set up for it. We're going to need options and lots of them. But you do have him on health care. I'm not happy about health care options from most of the D's out there. But that isn't going to make me turn my nose at an otherwise good candidate. Like Michael Moore says (or is he too right for you as well) noone is perfect but we've got to get the neo-cons out of office. The patient is dying. I'd like someone in office who at least realizes it and will work to save it.
sundog @ 54:
Nicely said. To those who are skeptical of this kind of message, think about what Betty Ford did back in the 70's. Being honest about your failings and shortcomings is a whole lot more redemptive and appealing than arrogantly pretending you have none.
I like Al, but this kind of tearjerking, lowest-common-denominator stuff is beneath him. In fact, it only gives ammunition to those who would say he's all Hollywood.
This is the kind of emotional, manipulative stuff we used to expect him to take the piss out of.
I dont know what his wife's battle with alcohol has to do with his Senate race but I wish him all the best, as well as his wife and family, and hope to see him in D.C.
George W Bush
Cindy McCain - OK it was pills, but an addict is an addict.
Betty Ford
Dick Cheney - 2 DUI's and avoiding police after shooting his friend
Tom Delay - was known to drink many martinis on a daily basis when he first got to the house.
John Boehner - don't tell me he wasn't drunk when he was bawling in the house
etc.
John Lennon said it. [Life is what happens while you're busy makin' other palns].. play on...........Al is my hero.
I don't like these types of ads from either side,next we'll see politicians say they promised a kid dying of cancer that they'd win.
Franken wrote When a Man Loves a Woman, a powerful film that I first watched in rehab many years ago. It was difficult to watch at the time but it opened a dialogue between addicts and their partners which I, for one, am grateful.
libse @25,
I did know about Mondale's 10 day campaign, and the tragic day when Wellstone and his wife and daughter died.
I also know that the repukes (along with Ventura's help) turned the Wellstone memorial service into a percieved nazi rally, and that is what probably put Coleman (who lives in W's colon - ROFLMAO), over the top.
However, if you are right and Al does win, I promise to watch my mouth (keyboard?) in the future.
P.S. But if that steaming sack of mother fucking shit Coleman wins, well look out....
Anothergreenbus @ 50,
All the polls say Minnesota will! I thought for sure that one of my fellow Great Lake blue states wouldn't even consider voting for Coleman again. But its now October, and that asshole Coleman is pulling away!
And the FACT is, they DID vote for Ventura (telling me to get fucked won't change that FACT), and I am starting to wonder......what the hell is going on in Minnesota?
odanny@64
I dont know what his wife’s battle with alcohol has to do with his Senate race but I wish him all the best, as well as his wife and family, and hope to see him in D.C.
_______________________________________________
Roger that! If that sorry asshole got into the White House in 2000, why can't Frank, a clean guy, get into the Senate. He'll make it without problems. That's for sure.
I live in NYC (Manhattan), and saw Al Franken many years ago at French Roast, which is a coffee/breakfast kind of place. My husband, who doesn't normally acknowledge or care about celebrity, told Franken who was sitting a few tables away, that he appreciated his work. Franken thanked him, finished his meal, and then stopped to talk with us for a couple of minutes. He was nice. He wasn't running for anything.
A few years go by. He writes "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them".
That book needed to be written, and by "a celebrity", because it got published and read.
The guy's not perfect, but it sounds like the incumbent is way more imperfect. Go ahead and vote for Franken. Don't hate him because he's not a career politician. The so-called Founding Fathers never intended politics to be a profession, but a civic contribution learned and accomplished males should do for awhile. Mkai.
I live in a city where a billionaire bought the mayoralty ($77/vote his first term), who is now overturning two referendums for term limits, to be Mayor for Life. Be happy that your biggest concern is that Franken is well-known. Billionaires are demonic politically.
TomR @ 60:
it's this type of herd mentality that I find disgusting. if someone disagrees with or has genuine dislike of a candidate you're either labeled a troll or a traitor. my reasons for not supporting Franken are simple, he's a celebrity....and I find him incredibly disingenuous. the media had a laugh when ventura was elected and now we have a comedian in our ranks. now all I get to see on tv every night are attack ads from coleman, which is precisely what everyone knew would happen. let's not forget that there are a fairly large number of Dems that don't support Al. just because we're on the same team doesn't mean I have to blindly support someone whom I have a fundamental difference of opinion on.
Thinker at 16.....
You aren't from Missouri, are you?
Sounds like our situation here. : )
trustno1 @ 72:
So him being a celebrity means you have a fundamental difference of opinion with him? Ask yourself one question. Do you agree with Coleman's voting record more than you agree with Franken's positions?
ghostrider @ 74:
it's also the idea of using celebrity for political gain that bothers me, and that he's a carpetbagger. let's be real. a satirist/comedian isn't my idea of a qualified statesman, unlike those who thought a former wrestler could govern. I don't agree with coleman's voting record but I also don't agree with Franken's tactics as a DFL candidate, nor do I agree with some of his stances on some of the issues as I mentioned earlier. this is precisely what the DFL fears most, that Franken won't be able to carry the torch for Wellstone, despite their endorsement. i've never voted independent before but I have such disdain for Franken that I cannot, in good conscience, support him. if anyone wants to cast blame on anyone look no further than Al, because he's done a pretty good job of pissing off and alienating a lot of Dems in Minnesota.
Oh wow. That is very powerful and it brought tears to my eyes.
If Al had already made films about his wife and his struggle then the news that his wife was an alcoholic was already out there.
This ad may have been their way to keep the Coleman's from using it against them. And its quite effective.
Al Franken is one hell of a guy. I don't think anyone doubts that.
[Deleted. Off topic. It's also over 24 hours old- just plain "old news". Site Monitor]
Franken is going to make a great senator.
trustno1 @ 75:
I'm not in the state so I'm unsure of what Franken really did to alienate some Minnesota Dems but we saw in 2000 what voting for a third party got us. Obama wasn't my first choice but he won the primaries and he now has my support. That is one thing about the repugs, they rarely if ever split their vote. Democrats always find a reason to do so. If you like Obama, do your best to give him another Democratic Senator to work with. Vote Franken.
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