CreateDebate


Debate Info

46
26

Al Franken (D)


Norm Coleman (R)

Debate Score:72
Arguments:38
Total Votes:82
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 
Al Franken (D)
(21)
 
 
Norm Coleman (R)
(17)

Debate Creator

CreateDebate(732) pic



Who should I vote for in the 2008 Minnesota Senate Race?


Al Franken (D)

Side Score: 46
VS.


Norm Coleman (R)

Side Score: 26
5 points

Energy policy is the number one issue in elections nationwide and the Minnesota Senate race is no different. Yet the specifics of the issues have moved to more personal attacks rather than a debate on policies. Democratic challenger Al Franken has claimed that Republican incumbent Norm Coleman has taken $245,000 from the oil and natural gas industry. Coleman has also been linked to Ted Stevens' Northern Lights PAC, going on fully paid fishing trips with indicted VECO executives. Coleman donated $20,000 of money he claimed he received to children's cancer research. As Franken attacks Coleman, the voters of Minnesota are unsure of the truth regarding the incumbent's connections to Big Oil.

Supporting Evidence: Coleman unloads $20,000 from Stevens (www.freerepublic.com)
Side: The Ted Stevens Effect
5 points

Funny man Al Franken’s bid for a U.S. Senate position is no joke. Not only is he taking it seriously, but so is former vice president Al Gore. Gore recently endorsed the candidate saying “he’ll make a fantastic Senator at a time when we could sure use a few more fantastic Senators.”

Franken’s website reveals that he plans to spend money on renewable energy to solve our energy problem, support the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and fight for universal healthcare. He also has plans to help give relief to the middle class and aims to tackle consumer credit problems.

Franken’s candidacy is no laughing matter.

Supporting Evidence: Al Gore's Endorsment (mnpublius.com)
Side: Al Franken
4 points

Minnesota's Senate race has moved to the Internet. Incumbent Norm Coleman(R) and challenger Al Franken(D) were the first in the country to take part in the YouChoose2008 forum from YouTube, the online video site. The debate, featuring questions from participants via webcam will impact Franken's campaign more positively than Coleman's. Franken enjoys a lead amongst younger more progressive voters more likely to participate and tune into an online forum and this offers the challenger an opportunity to shore up that support.

Supporting Evidence: Norm Coleman vs. Al Franken (www.youtube.com)
Side: YouTube Debate to Aid Franken
3 points

Norm Coleman is weak on foreign policy. He was wrong on Iraq--twice. He voted for the Iraq War, a conflicted generally agreed by Americans to have been a mistake, and then twice voted against the presumably successful troop surge.

Furthermore, given that Norm Coleman supported the Iraq War, his refusal to support the troop surge begs the question: Was Norm Coleman voting on principle or voting purely out of political expediency?

Note Norm Coleman's votes in the link below.

Supporting Evidence: Norm Coleman Voting Analysis (www.sourcewatch.org)
Side: Al Franken
3 points

For years, the Minnesota State Fair has been grounds for a traditional Senatorial debate between the candidates. However, this year's great Minnesota get together will not feature a debate between incumbent Norm Coleman(R) and challenger Al Franken(D). According to Coleman's campaign manager, Cullen Sheehan, “we intend to hold off on committing to any specific debates until after the September Primary.”

One Minnesota State Fair attendee stated his disappointment, “I think that Coleman lost the last debate to Franken and wants to distance himself from the facts as much as possible.”

Coleman's decision to not take part in the debate has drawn much criticism from operatives on either campaign and may impact his reelection bid.

Supporting Evidence: Coleman May Duck Out of Minnesota State Fair Debate (mnpublius.com)
Side: No State Fair Debate
3 points

In a Rasmussen poll conducted on Aug. 13, 2008, Norm Coleman and Al Franken are running neck and neck at 45% each. However, of the 700 people polled 20% viewed Coleman somewhat unfavorably and another 24% viewed him very unfavorably. The numbers have remained steady in the past 7 months, giving light to Coleman's vulnerability in the November election. In a traditional Senate race, an incumbent without a lead over 50% has a very good chance of losing the race. Coleman was elected in 2002 by a non majority and will need to consolidate the electorate in order to hold his seat.

Supporting Evidence: Toss-up Between Coleman and Franken (www.rasmussenreports.com)
Side: Polls Show Coleman's Vulnerability
3 points

Democratic challenger for Minnesota's Senate seat, Al Franken, has enlisted the help of Texas businessman Bob Meaders, a well known Republican. Meaders' grandson was being deployed to Iraq for a tour of duty and he was unhappy with the quality of the helmets issued to the soldiers.

After contacting Franken via his radio show, Meaders joined with the nominee to raise money to purchase new helmets for the soldiers being deployed to the battlefront. As of last month almost 40,000 helmets have been purchased and put into the hands of the troops.

Dr. Bob
Side: Franken Raises Money for Helmets
2 points

Al supports working middle class America. That means good jobs, affordable education, affordable housing, and accessible health care for all.

Al's not in the pockets of big oil and lobbyists and supports creating more jobs here in Minnesota.

The crap about taxes, his accountant does the paperwork, but gees, he overpaid Minnesota, so will Minnesota give his money back to him to redistribute?

Side: Al Franken
2 points

The fact that Coleman advocates shale oil as an "alternative" fuel speaks volumes. Though he talks about cellulosic and sugar ethanol incentives (which he did support in the farm bill), he refers to alternative energy forms as merely compliments to drilling off the continental shelf, and has accepted more donations from oil companies than any Minnesota politician in history. Franken not only supports renewable fuels, he has incorporated them into the Minnesota economy via a plan to issue earned income tax credits to farmers for wind power. Franken also offers plans to enhance mass transit in Minnesota by way of light rail, and electric hybrid car investments for rural areas.

Minnesota Senate Debate - Farmfest 2008
Side: Al Franken
2 points

After the recent tomato and jalapeño scares, Democratic lawmakers are pushing for legislation of Country of Origin Labeling known as COOL. Citing added costs to producers, Republican Senator Norm Coleman supports a voluntary labeling procedure rather than, as he puts it, another unfunded mandate. “Implementing the system as it's proposed would have a significant cost on the producer, and that concerns me greatly.”

Consumer advocate groups believe its important to make the system mandatory in order to determine facts when a situation like the recent food scare happens.

Supporting Evidence: Coleman urges caution with country-of-origin labeling (www.hometownargus.com)
Side: Country of Origin Labeling
2 points

The Campaign to Defend America has come out against Senator Norm Coleman in his support for the occupation of Iraq. Pointing out that Coleman voted against a timetable for withdrawel and supports the sustainment of business as usual in the War on Terror. He also voted for the initial invasion, but didn't support the Surge.

The cost to taxpayers has been $9 billion per month. Over 4000 service members have died according to the Department of Defense.

The latest ad shows children in uniforms, preparing for the military.

Sen. Coleman, should we start training our kids now?
Side: Coleman's Support for War
2 points

Okay, there are all the so-called serious reasons to vote for Franken- and those are valid. He's smarter, wiser, and better looking than his opponent. But on top of that- he's funny, he's been on SNL, and he was in Trading Places. The country is heading for some bad times, I think- economy failing, environment gone bananas, wars unending- there is going to be a desperate need for someone who will know how and when to break things up, to crack a joke or tell a story about what it was like to work with Eddie Murphy.

Side: Al Franken
1 point

I'd vote for Al Franken just based on his comedy routines. He would bring a huge amount of common sense to the Senate, which is something that is greatly needed at this point.

Side: Al Franken
1 point

Democratic challenger Al Franken has blasted Republican incumbent Norm Coleman for his support of the Central American Free Trade Act(CAFTA). CAFTA allows an additional 110,000 metric tons of sugar to be imported into the United States, offsetting the cost of sugar to consumers, but impacting farmers in the Midwest. Coming to office on a platform of rejecting CAFTA, Coleman ended up voting for the measure in 2005.

In a meeting with the Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative board in 2006, Coleman addressed concerns to sugar beet farmers in Minnesota. He stated that there was more to CAFTA than sugar imports, however that did little to comfort struggling farmers.

"We're extremely disappointed he didn't stay with his commitment to us," said Mike Hasbargen, a sugar beet farmer in Breckenridge.

Supporting Evidence: Coleman asked to defend CAFTA stance (www.wahpetondailynews.com)
Side: Coleman Supports CAFTA
1 point

Senator Norm Coleman has come under scrutiny for his relationship with indicted Senator Ted Stevens. Coleman joined VECO executives for fishing trips to Alaska where he received money from Stevens' Northern Lights PAC. Coleman admitted receiving the funds and donated $20,000 of the money to children's cancer research.

The latest ad portrays Coleman as being in the pocket of Big Oil and features a fish telling the story of the Senator leaving the Land of 10,000 Lakes for Alaska. Coleman's challenger, Democratic candidate Al Franken questions whether he is working for Minnesotans in Washington or fellow Republicans in Alaska.

"Who does Norm work for?"
Side: Coleman's Fishing Trip
1 point

Senate candidate Al Franken has employed the help of his 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Molin. In a mostly biographical analysis of Franken, she tells of his story growing up in St. Louis Park and going to Harvard. She tells of his career with Saturday Night Live, the books he's written, and hosting an Air America talk show.

Franken has employed the talents of those around him on other advertisements, but the ability to incorporate an elementary school teacher and politics showcases his ability to mix business with humor.

"Mrs. Molin"
Side: Franken's Teacher
1 point

Minnesota's Senatorial candidates, incumbent Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken, have both run into a sticky problem in their respective bids for the seat. That problem is the fact of their residences and their origins.

Coleman was born in New York, where attended school, college, and for his 20th birthday, Woodstock. He didn't move to Minnesota until the 1980's where he made a bid for and won the mayoral election in St. Paul.

Franken was born in St. Louis Park, MN, where he attended school until he left for Harvard. He has residences in both Minnesota and New York, however, he did not return to make Minnesota his primary residence until his bid for the Senate seat.

Side: Out of Staters
1 point

An independent campaign committee has put out what may be one of the more interesting political ads in this cycles' Minnesota Senatorial campaign. The ad portrays Norm Coleman as a man running away from his past.

Pointing out his 87% support for the Bush Administration and his failure to vote for a timeline for exit from Iraq War, the 527 believes that by making a visually appealing, almost theatrical video may swing votes in November.

527's have become more prevalent as the months go on in this race, and what brand of advertisement is next is keeping Minnesota's voters intrigued.

Norm Coleman: Running Man
Side: Running Man
1 point

Al Franken (D) hit the campaign trail this week launching an attack against what he argues to be Republican Senator Norm Coleman's failure to investigate profiteering in the Iraq War during the Senator's term as chairman over the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Franken claims, ""Norm Coleman was the Senate's oversight czar, and he did nothing while at least $15 billion in taxpayer money went missing." According to Franken, Coleman has "let our country down. We paid a steep price. Now it falls to the people of Minnesota to hold him accountable."

The incumbent Senator and the Democratic hopeful will have plenty of time to hash this issue out as they have agreed to three more debates before the November 4th election.

The first debate will be held on October 5th in Rochester.

The second will occur on October 11th in the Twin Cities.

The third debate will take place on October 16th in Duluth.

Two of the debates will be televised and broadcast across the state and the other one will be aired on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR).

Supporting Evidence: War Profiteering Blindspot (www.startribune.com)
Side: War Profiteering Blindspot
1 point

Nancy and Claremont Anderson of Hoffman, MN, parents of Major Stuart M. Anderson, have spoken out against Senator Norm Coleman in th latest television spot from the Democratic Senatorial Election Committee.

They point to what the Democrats Coleman's lack of judgment in supporting President Bush's actions to continue the occupation of Iraq. Calling him a “Yes Man” and stating that they don't blame the Army for their son's death, but Norm Coleman, the ad makes a chilling attack at the sitting Senator in his bid for reelection.

The Andersons
Side: Norm's Gotta Go
1 point

As a member of four unions himself, Franken is proud to endorse the Employee Free Choice Act which allows Union members to vote without authoritarian pressure from their employers. Coleman openly opposes the Act, saying that the bill is a misnomer and that union employees actually prefer the secret ballot. Franken states the opposite.

Franken: "The National Labor Relations Board is responsible for preventing intimidation of workers whether is be by unions or by employers."

Franken for union organization and votes without intimidation
Side: Al Franken
2 points

After donating money to Democratic candidate Al Franken, Priscilla Lord Farris has launched a campaign against Franken and incumbent Norm Coleman. After Franken was named the presumptive candidate at Minnesota's DFL Convention, he has failed to overtake Coleman in the polls. Farris, daughter of retired attorney general and federal judge, Miles Lord, entered the Senate race to specifically attack Franken. Having only minimal city council experience, her attacks, although thus far ineffective, may prove to be detrimental to Franken's campaign in the long run.

Priscilla Lord Faris on TPT's Almanac
Side: Priscilla Lord Farris
1 point

Al Franken is a complete novice in government. As such, it is makes perfect sense that he has no solution for lowering gas prices for working families and small businesses.

While serving us endless empty platitudes about America's dependence on foreign oil, Franken totally opposes oil drilling in the United States.

He favors higher taxes on American oil companies that will only add to the overall cost of gas prices and inevitably cause further harm to the American consumer.

His calls for higher taxes on oil companies are based on reflex and emotion rather than common sense.

The raised taxes will likely cause American oil companies to flee the country in search of more favorable business climates. Halliburton has already shifted its corporate HQ from Houston to Dubai. Will Exxon-Mobil, Conoco-Philips and Chevron follow?

Evidently Mr. Franken believes these companies will better serve the American consumer while in foreign hands.

Side: Al Franken
1 point

Democratic challenger Al Franken has come under scrutiny regarding tax and insurance issues in his race against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. Al Franken failed to pay income tax in 17 states which he had speaking engagements in, and overpaid New York and Minnesota a total of $50,000.

He also faces a $25,000 penalty in New York for failing to carry worker's compensation insurance for the employee of the Al Franken corporation between 2002 and 2005. While these mistakes are common for any company to make, the fact that Franken is in the heat of a political contest drives the stakes higher.

Supporting Evidence: Accountants: Franken's tax problems should have been caught (minnesota.publicradio.org)
Side: Franken's Taxing Challenge
1 point

Norm Coleman (R) and Al Franken(D) met at FarmFest near Redwood Falls, a rural Minnesota town, to debate on Aug. 5th. The FarmFest debate is a traditionally agricultural based debate and Coleman's membership on the Senate Agricultural Committee aided his statements on working for farmers.

Coleman voted for the Farm Bill which gave subsidies to Minnesota farmers, specifically to corn farmers for cellulosic ethanol production. Franken's attacks of Coleman being in the pocket of Big Oil and working with the Bush administration fell on deaf ears, sometimes even garnering boos from the crowd. In the November election, Coleman has the obvious lead amongst rural Minnesota farmers.

Side: FarmFest Debate
1 point

Minnesota is known as the “land of hockey,” by many of the states residents and Norm Coleman, incumbent Republican, is making his case that he was instrumental in bringing a professional hockey team back to the state. When Coleman was mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota was awarded and NHL expansion franchise after a decade without a professional team. He aided in fundraising and zoning the construction of the Excel Energy Arena, where the Minnesota Wild play. Minnesota has a sweet spot for its hockey, and Coleman's use of this success will surely garner him some well needed votes in November.

"One Thing"
Side: The Hockey Factor
1 point

Voters should be especially careful in races like this to make their decision based on issues rather than who is the biggest celebrity. They also might want to consider supporting one of the independent candidates that will appear on the ballot. Franken could get in trouble if the Republicans soon make another mention of the fact that he used to write for Playboy and call his judgment into question.

Side:
Norm Coleman (R)
1 point

When offered a speaking engagement at last weeks Democratic National Convention, Al Franken(D), challenger for Minnesota's Senate seat, decided to not attend, instead spend the time campaigning at the Minnesota State Fair. The DNC offered Franken a slot on Wednesday to present his case to the American people and push the agenda of Presidential nominee Barack Obama.

The national spotlight is usually a well coveted opportunity for candidates looking to broaden their base and appeal to their home constituency, however Franken felt that his time was better spent campaigning in Minnesota.

Supporting Evidence: Franken turns down time at the Democratic Convention podium (www.startribune.com)
Side: Franken Disses DNC
1 point

Like his Democratic rival, Norm Coleman has incorporated family members into his political ads in an effort to soften up his image. To address the allegations that he's in the pocket of Big Oil and whether he sides with the president on key issues, Coleman has brought his wife on camera to try to clear his record. In addition, the increasingly satirical advertisements from both sides are continued with a statement of how his wife is the only special interest Norm will listen to.

Got It
Side: Coleman's Special Interest
1 point

Al Franken has come under continued scrutiny regarding a column he wrote for Playboy entitled “Porn-O-Rama!” The writings were about Franken visiting a fictitious sex institute and being educated about sexuality by various humans and machines.

Franken called it satire due to the fact that his profession is that of a comedian. However, Republican women were outraged when the articles came to light, issuing a letter to Franken's campaign.

The letter read, "The words and descriptions you write about are beyond vulgar, they demean and degrade women as thoroughly and disrespectfully as any article we have ever seen, and we are horrified to believe that someone running for the U.S. Senate could have written them. This column shows flagrant disregard for women, and an extreme objectification of women as sex objects for your pleasure."

Franken issued a public apology at the Minnesota Democratic Convention, saying he regretted writing the column.

Supporting Evidence: GOP Targets Al Franken's Playboy Column (abcnews.go.com)
Side: Franken and the Playboy Mess
1 point

The GOP has blasted Democratic challenger for Minnesota's Senate seat, Al Franken in recent ads showcasing his flip-flopping on issues.

Franken has very publicly changed his position on the occupation of Iraq from one month to the next. Stating that he would have supported the use of force, he then stated that he didn't support the use of force. Saying he thought they should cut funding, he then redacted that, saying no one should cut funding from the troops.

The charges of flip-flopping have been a staple in the last few election cycles, however Franken has made enough gaffs in the past two years to warrant questions from the constituency.

Franken vs. Franken: Iraq Edition
Side: Flip Flopping on Iraq
1 point

Republican Norm Coleman's campaign has unveiled a new ad that showcases his talents to bring people together to get things done. He talks of he bipartisan effort to get funding for rebuilding the I-35W Bridge after its collapse last yea and the passage of Medicare Part D, helping seniors with their prescription drug costs.

Coleman then states that he got two rivals, a Vikings and Packers fan together, claiming that working with both sides of the aisle would be a “piece of cake.”

Gift
Side: Coleman Bringing People Together
1 point

Republican Norm Coleman's campaign has launched an ad showcasing Democratic challenger Al Franken's temperament to be in the Senate. Utilizing clips from various forums, his talk show, his audio books, and fundraisers, Coleman presents an image of Franken as an irresponsible firebrand.

Using, illicit words and phrases and focusing on Franken's sometimes hot headed behavior, the Coleman camp hopes voters will reflect on the type of man they want to send to Washington.

Angry Al
Side: Franken's Stormy Personality
1 point

The Minnesota Senate race is among six which Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada characterized as being within the margin of error according to polls for the National Republican Senatorial Committee which is led by the Nevada Senator. The implication is clearly that in a year where Republicans are troubled by the burden of an unpopular outgoing administration, so many "pick 'em" races is "so far, so good" for the Republicans.

Side: Norm Coleman
1 point

Following former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura's announcement on Larry King Live that he would not make a bid for the Minnesota Senate seat, the race has heated up with the entry of the lawmaker who held the seat just before sitting Senator Norm Coleman won the 2002 election – Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley.

Barkley was appointed by Governor Ventura after the death of Paul Wellstone in a plane crash. He served only for a brief two month tenure, introducing legislation to create a Wellstone memorial and became the key vote in passing the Homeland Security Act.

Barkley runs as a well known third party candidate, supporting the idea of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism. Many Minnesotans believe his stances on key issues align with their core values more than the Republicans or Democrats.

Supporting Evidence: Dean Barkley for Senate (www.barkleyforsenate.org)
Side: Former Senator Enters Race
1 point

Coleman Votes for Bailout

Coleman explained that the bailout bill is meant to free up credit for citizens to use for such activities as buying homes, cars, and paying for school. He believed in immediate action was necessary. After the vote, he stated,

“The domino effect of not acting could topple the finances of every Minnesotan. At first sight, this bill may seem to do more for Wall Street than Main Street. But, at its core, this legislation is about the availability of capital – the lifeblood of the economy. When credit freezes, banks stop lending, businesses can’t make payroll, and jobs are lost. Loans to pay for college, cars and homes become nearly impossible to obtain. Savings are jeopardized. We have no choice but to act."

In addition to homeowner relief and limiting executive pay, Coleman also supported a number of "tax extenders" such as tax credits for renewable energy.

Supporting Evidence: Yes to Bailout (coleman.senate.gov)
Side: Bailout
1 point

Voters understandably may be unhappy with Senator Coleman's support of the Bush administration, especially by his vote for the revised Wall Street bailout, but should also take note of the fact that Al Gore endorses Franken. It's been stated many times (which you can search on any popular search engine) that whoever is endorsed by Gore always ends up losing.

Side:
Norm Coleman (R)
0 points

Coleman May Have Violated Election Advertisement Law

A Sept. 12 Washington Post article reports that Democrats are challenging Sen. Gordon Smith (Ore.) and Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.) for possible violations of Federal Election laws. Coleman’s image does not appear for a full four seconds at the end of an advertisement and on one of Smith’s ad’s his image does not appear at all, contend lawyers of Democratic candidates Al Franken and Jeff Merkeley. If Democratic pleas succeed, the Federal Elections Committee and the Federal Communications Committee could force the Republican campaigns to pay full commercial rates as opposed to the discounted rates political candidates usually pay.

Supporting Evidence: Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)
Side: Norm Coleman