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According to some metro legislators, Al Franken should be applauded for responding so quickly to the tax problems. According to several quotes, the fact that he didn't run from his responsibility points out what an honorable man he is. Here's one such quote:
It's always a big deal politically when the unpaid taxes issue crops up for a candidate, said Rep. Shelley Madore, DFL-Apple Valley. "It's unfortunate that this wasn't vetted out before (by his campaign)," said Madore.
"But now that it's been vetted out, he took responsibility quickly, didn't hide behind the, 'I didn't understand,'" she said. "I still believe that he's a truthful, honest person and that was an oversight," she said.
The problem with Ms. Madore's claim that he didn't respond quickly:
April 2005: New York Officials Begin Contacting Franken About His Nearly Three Year Failure To Pay Workers' Comp; Franken Still Living In New York. "The Workers' Compensation Board began sending Franken notices in April 2005 after discovering that the insurance hadn't been paid for nearly three years." (Kevin Duchschere, "Franken Faces Penalties For Lack Of Workers' Insurance," Star Tribune, March 5, 2008)
June 2005: New York Officials Send Penalty Notice; Franken Still Living In New York. "Officials first sought an explanation. Receiving no response, they sent a penalty notice to Franken in June 2005 that outlined rights to appeal." (Kevin Duchschere, "Franken Faces Penalties For Lack Of Workers' Insurance," Star Tribune, March 5, 2008)
September 2005: Franken Votes In New York Primary; Franken Still Living In New York. (Minnesota Democrats Exposed Blog, Accessed March 13, 2008)
November 2005: Franken Votes In New York General Election; Franken Still Living In New York. (Minnesota Democrats Exposed Blog, Accessed March 13, 2008)
While it appears to be true that Franken "responded quickly to put out the fire on these state tax issues, it certainly can't be said that he responded quickly to his not paying his workers compensation taxes in New York. In fact, he avoided that like it was radioactive.
Here's what Rep. Tom Tillberry, DFL-Fridley, thinks about Franken's tax problems:
Rep. Tom Tillberry, DFL-Fridley, also opined Franken reacted quickly to the tax issue.
Tillberry views Franken as moving ahead politically undamaged. "I mean, if he is, if people think that, I can't agree with them," he said. "What it points out to me is how well someone can take care of problems when they come up," said Tillberry.
"If a person steps up and says, 'This is my fault this is happening and I'm going to take care of it,' isn't that the type of integrity we want," he rhetorically asked.
What it points out to me is that Franken either (a) isn't bright enough to keep his financial house in order or (b) doesn't put a priority on keeping his financial house in order. Is that the type of person we want in Washington where money is doled out in the billions of dollars?
Don Betzold thinks that it's time to get back to the issues:
Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, isn't mulling over his endorsement of Franken. "No. I think he's a good candidate," said Betzold. If Franken's accountant made mistakes, Franken signed-off on the taxes, true, but then Franken shouldn't be held completely responsible, he opined.
Talk issues and move on
"I think we should talk about the issues and move on," said Betzold. "No. I'm not rethinking it (his endorsement) at all," he said.
Franken's supporters are attempting to use the same 'We should be talking about the issues' dodge that Sen. Obama's supporters are attempting to use. Here's why that won't work. People don't tune into your message if they think your credibility doesn't exist.
To me, the most stunning and disturbing reaction to Franken's troubles comes from Rep. Sandra Masin:
Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan, echoed some of her DFL colleagues' sentiments. "I'm not considering it (the tax issue) a major thing. It's unfortunate," she said. "When it comes to certain things you place a lot of confidence is somebody and it seems it was a little misplaced (in this case)," said Masin.
But do voters feel the same?
"I haven't had a lot of comments contrary to this point," said Masin.
It's interesting that a freshman DFLer thinks that credibility and integrity aren't "a major thing." What does she think is a major thing? Why shouldn't voters think that a man who hasn't kept his financial house in order will contribute to keeping Washington's financial house in order? This isn't unimportant stuff.
It's time that Al Franken showed he has the aptitude and ability to keep up with the complexities of being a senator. If he thinks that being an entertainer is complicated, he doesn't belong in the United States Senate.
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