The Reef That Breaks The Wave PDF Print E-mail
Written by Gary Gross   
Monday, 09 June 2008 08:52

DFL politicians are wondering what effect Al Franken will have on downballot DFLers. According to this SC Times article, it sounds like some are worried, and justifiably so at that:

But some Democratic lawmakers wondered if his name on the general election ballot will benefit other Democratic candidates. Rick Hansen, a Democratic legislator from South St. Paul and longtime local party activist, said Franken crispy and calmly addressed his recent woes. But Hansen said he's convinced the character questions will dog him all fall.

Hansen said he and some other elected officials who will share the ballot with Franken remain apprehensive. "Two years ago Amy added to the wave," he said of Klobuchar's landslide victory in 2006. "He may not add to the wave. He may be the reef that breaks our wave."

Having Franken on the ticket can't help Democrats, which is why I'm a happy camper following the DFL's endorsement of him.

I agree with Mr. Hansen that Franken's character questions will dog him until the day he's defeated. I said here that Al Franken's tawdry behavior is part of who he is, not just something he did once. It isn't likely that he'd be a calm advocate for Minnesotans. The things I've seen suggest that he'd be a bombthrowing advocate for MoveOn.org.

Of the Democrats that I've talked with, most aren't enthusiastic about Franken's candidacy. Most would've supported Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer if they thought he had half a chance of winning. They'd certainly support Mike Ciresi but that ship has sailed.

Hansen is right that Amy Klobuchar added to the DFL wave in 2006. Some might even say that she generated the enthusiasm for the DFL wave. That certainly won't be the case with Franken or El Tinklenberg. I haven't seen proof that Mr. Tinklenberg has generated any enthusiasm for his run against Michele Bachmann. Just looking at these fundraising numbers is enough to convince me that Tinklenberg will be a drag on the DFL ticket.

Couple that with the DFL activists' enthusiasm for Franken's Senate race and we could be staring at a less than stellar year for the DFL.

Comments welcome at LFR.