NARN “THE FINAL WORD” TODAY FROM 3-5 P.M.
May 17, 2008 10:52 am
I’ll be on the radio today for a two-hour program from 3-5 p.m. with King Banaian of SCSU Scholars on AM 1280 The Patriot.
Before you listen to King and me, make sure you listen to the first four hours of the Northern Alliance Radio Network. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can hear Power Line’s John Hinderaker and Chad and Brian from Fraters Libertas. Mitch Berg and Captain Ed are on the air from 1-3 pm.
I encourage you to all to listen. Broadcasts can be heard on AM 1280 The Patriot, which has an Internet stream for those outside the Twin Cities. Brave Democrats and proud Republicans can join the conversation at (651) 289-4488.
UPDATE: State Senator Amy Koch was guest of the program from 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. to talk about the final hours of the legislative session.
UPDATE #2: In an update to story from the radio show on April 5, 2008, Sandy Maclean and Elizabeth Levang were guests from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. to talk about the passage of Grieving Parents Act. The legislation was passed on Monday and Governor Pawlenty signed the bill into law on Thursday.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 2 Comments »
VENTURA CALLS FRANKEN “A CARPETBAGGER”; MAKES FUN OF HIS TAX PROBLEMS
May 16, 2008 2:18 pm
“Ventura called Franken a carpetbagger for leaving New York for Minnesota’s Senate race. And he commented on Franken’s tax problems.
‘Apparently even with a Harvard education he didn’t realize that when you earn in 30 states you go to pay taxes in all of those states,’ he said. ‘I as a pro wrestler knew that. Can you imagine that?’
Franken’s campaign declined to comment on Ventura’s criticism.” Source: MPR, May 15, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 47 Comments »
DUE TO FRANKEN’S TAX PROBLEMS, THE FIX DOWNGRADES RACE
May 16, 2008 10:33 am
“7. Minnesota: Call it The Fix curse. Regular readers of the Line know we have been impressed by the campaign that comedian-turned-candidate Al Franken (D) has run to date. Cue a tax problem. Franken has decided to pay $70,000 in back taxes in 17 states after several weeks of drip-drip revelations. Franken said he had been misinformed by his account, acknowledged the mistake, and sought to move on. Still, it gives Sen. Norm Coleman (R) – a terrific politician — a major opening to exploit in the fall. (Previous ranking: 6)” Source: The Fix/Washington Post, May 16, 2008
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 13 Comments »
STAR TRIBUNE: “POLITICAL PARTIES TO MEDIA: GET NOSES OUT OF OUR TENTS”
May 15, 2008 11:27 pm
“As local Democratic and Republican endorsing conventions have unfolded this spring, members of both parties have become camera-shy.
Representatives of mainstream media outlets bearing video and audio equipment have been sent packing, along with partisan bloggers who have been trying to keep an eye on what members of the other party are up to.
Although it appears to have happened more often at GOP events, both sides have booted observers, at one point showing the door to the St. Cloud daily newspaper and Minnesota Public Radio.
Representatives of both parties say such calls are made strictly by local officials — not by the state parties.
That may be so, say bloggers from opposite sides of the partisan divide, but they also agree that the doors should be left open to anyone who wants to cover a convention and abide by party rules.” Source: Star Tribune, May 15, 2008
Click here for the complete story
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“Different views, same page
Both Michael McIntee, the Uptake’s executive producer, and Michael Brodkorb, the author of Minnesota Democrats Exposed, uncharacteristically find themselves on the same page on the issue.
‘These conventions should be open to bloggers from both political parties,’ Brodkorb said. ‘Sure, it’s their [convention organizers’] right to set their own rules, but if you follow the rules, let people cover it.’” Source: Star Tribune, May 15, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 27 Comments »
BRUTAL: LARRY JACOBS AND DAVID SCHULTZ UNLOAD ON TEAM FRANKEN; JACOBS SUGGESTS PUTTING “HANDCUFFS” AND “A GAG ON FRANKEN”
May 15, 2008 6:22 pm
“The move, however, comes at a time when the Franken camp has been beset by questions about his personal finances, most notably failing to properly pay $50,000 in income taxes in 17 states. Recent polls have consistently shown him trailing Coleman by up to 10 points.
DFL’ers and political analysts have been grumbling for weeks about the lack of a seasoned political operative at the top of Franken’s staff. ‘What took so long?’ asks Lawrence Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. ‘If they’d had a proven individual two years ago a lot of the trouble they’ve run into probably could have been avoided.’
Jacobs and others point out that Franken’s record should have been stringently vetted well before the campaign got underway so that any potential controversies could be dealt with internally. ‘When I hear and see these tax stories, that’s a signal to me that they don’t know what they’re doing,’ he says.
Jacobs points to three areas that the campaign must deal with immediately if Franken is going to present a credible threat to Coleman in November. Foremost the candidate’s background must be thoroughly scrutinized to ensure that there won’t be any more embarrassing news developments. In addition, he argues that the campaign’s spending needs to be tightened and Franken’s sometimes cantankerous dealings with the media must improve. ‘Put some handcuffs and maybe even a gag on Franken,’ Jacobs suggests. ‘He’s got to be put under control. The upside is he’s got plenty of time.’
Hamline political science professor David Schultz is hardly more kind in assessing the state of the Franken campaign. ‘Is this the classic putting lipstick on a pig?’ he asks. ‘Does Franken have fundamentally bigger problems that changing campaign managers won’t solve?’
Schultz is struck by the static nature of the polls in recent weeks. ‘Unless the Franken campaign can get a bunch of people to rethink Coleman and therefore rethink Franken the race is over.’” Source: Minnesota Monitor, May 15, 2008
Click here for the complete post.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 14 Comments »
AFTER MONTHS OF TROUBLES, TEAM FRANKEN HIRES NEW CAMPAIGN MANAGER
May 15, 2008 2:17 pm
MPR’s Polinaut has the press release from Team Franken announcing that Stephanie Schriock has been hired to be the new campaign manager. If you’re keeping score at home, this is Team Franken’s second or third campaign manager. Both Andy Barr and David Benson have been cited as the “campaign manager” of Team Franken.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 13 Comments »
VENTURA RIPS FRANKEN FOR TAX PROBLEMS
May 15, 2008 1:08 pm
Former Governor Jesse Ventura will be on “Almanac” on Friday. In a preview of his interview, Mary Lahammer wrote that Ventura rips Al Franken for his tax troubles:
“[Ventura] said he lives in Minnesota more than Al Franken and when he wrestled for 30 years in different states he knew he had to pay taxes where he earned the money. He wondered why a Harvard grad like Franken wouldn’t know that.” Source: TPT’s Mary Lahammer, May 15, 2008
Check back on Friday evening for more information on Ventura’s comments about Franken’s tax problems.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 11 Comments »
AFTER MONTHS OF TROUBLES, RUMORS INTENSIFY ABOUT STAFF SHAKE-UP AT TEAM FRANKEN
May 15, 2008 10:38 am
Since I first reported last month about the new staffer coming to Minnesota to focus on the U.S. Senate, I’ve received numerous tips about additional staff changes coming to Team Franken.
It’s been a brutal two months for Al Franken and my sources indicated that many state and national Democrats were losing confidence in the staff at Team Franken.
MN Publius is reporting this morning that a new campaign manager may been hired at Team Franken. If a new campaign manger is hired for Team Franken, this would be at least the second campaign manager.
In numerous blog and press reports, Andy Barr has been labeled as the campaign manager for Team Franken:
- “Franken campaign manager Andy Barr…” Source: The Hill, May 5, 2008
- “Franken’s campaign manager, Andy Barr…” Source: Star Tribune, May 4, 2008
- “Franken campaign manager Andy Barr…” Source: Roll Call, April 16, 2008
- “According to Andy Barr, Franken’s campaign manager…” Source: Star Tribune, April 8, 2008
- “Andy Barr, Franken’s campaign manager…” Source: Associated Press, June 19, 2007
- “When Andy Barr, Campaign Manager, joined us he related this story.” Source: MN Blue, July 3, 2007
In sourcing press reports, even MN Publius has referred to Andy Barr as the campaign manager of Team Franken.
In other blog and press reports, Barr has been cited as having other staff positions at Team Franken. Barr being referred to with multiple titles shows that an organizational confusion exists at Team Franken.
I can also report that a David Benson has been cited as the campaign manager in communications from Team Franken. The fact is that if a new campaign manager is coming to Team Franken, a current campaign manager is being replaced.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 13 Comments »
MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: “YOU’VE GOT MAIL; FRANKEN’S NY NEIGHBOR CASTS DOUBT ON FRANKEN’S CLAIMS”
May 14, 2008 10:40 pm
St. Paul- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today issued the following statement after new information was revealed about Franken workers’ compensation scandal in New York.
“At long last, Al Franken must stop insulting the intelligence and good judgment of the people of Minnesota. He knows who signed for his certified mail. He knows where his mail went. And he knows that he can answer the questions about why he ignored the state of New York Workers’ Compensation Board for more than five years. Al Franken has known since March who signed for his certified mail that notified him of his $25,000 fine for not paying his workers’ compensation premiums and he remained silent. The time for this silence and gagging of people who have information about these matters must come to an end.”
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 19 Comments »
MDE EXCLUSIVE: AL FRANKEN NEIGHBOR SPEAKS: COMEDIAN’S NEW YORK APARTMENT MAILBOX IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS
May 14, 2008 2:26 pm
Over the last few months, the services and procedures of 90 Riverside Drive have come under scrutiny, since Al Franken claimed that he never received more than a dozen letters and certified mail from the state of New York regarding his failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance.
Earlier this morning I spoke with Myrna Blyth, who has lived at 90 Riverside Drive for the last 37 years. Mrs. Blyth told me that she was “happy to defend the good name of the services of 90 Riverside Drive.”
Mrs. Blyth said that to her knowledge in the 37 years that she has lived at 90 Riverside Drive, she has never failed to get “a package, certified mail, a Federal Express or UPS delivery that I was supposed to receive.” Mrs. Blyth said that she hasn’t had any trouble receiving her regular mail and described the mail service as “very good.”
In response to my questions about Franken’s claim that he never received more than a dozen letters, Mrs. Blyth responded that she would find it “surprising that in a building that has two doormen, a live-in super, three back elevator men that there could be a continuing loss of mail - for one individual and not for anyone else in the building.”
Mrs. Blyth confirmed my information that I reported yesterday, that a Jason Gauthier worked at 90 Riverside Drive. According to Mrs. Blyth, Jason worked at 90 Riverside Drive from early 2003 to late 2007. Mrs. Blyth stressed throughout the interview that her goal of speaking with me was to “defend the good name” of 90 Riverside Drive.
Mrs. Blyth did speak with an employee at 90 Riveside Drive and inquired about certified mail being lost. Mrs. Blyth told me that the employee answered with “It would be a first [if someone’s certified mail was lost]. I never heard of that happening before.”
On a separate subject, a source with knowledge of the workings at 90 Riverside Drive, informed me today that a Franken family member still resides at his residence.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 26 Comments »
FOX NEWS INTERVIEW ABOUT BLOGGING AND AL FRANKEN’S TAX TROUBLES #2
May 14, 2008 1:19 pm
This is the FOX News story about Minnesota Democrats Exposed and Al Franken’s tax problems.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 7 Comments »
NELSON-PALLMEYER SUPPORTER THINKS FRANKEN’S TAX PROBLEMS HAVE DAMAGED HIS CANDIDACY
May 14, 2008 10:37 am
“For months, Nelson-Pallmeyer rarely got more than passing mention in coverage of Franken’s Senate aspirations. The main Democratic fight was thought to be between Franken and wealthy lawyer Mike Ciresi. But in early March, the Nelson-Pallmeyer campaign began to claim it had surpassed Ciresi in delegate support; within a few days, Ciresi dropped out of the race.
That seemed to clear the field for Franken, but he was soon hit by damaging reports of sloppiness in the finances of his personal corporation. Franken ultimately said he would pay $70,000 in back taxes to 17 states, though he maintained his accountant had reported the income elsewhere.
‘I hate to see a man stumble on something like that, but I think it has had an effect,’ said Tom Jones, a Nelson-Pallmeyer backer. ‘It kind of feeds into the idea that the guy isn’t paying attention, and Coleman will hammer him on that.’” Source: Associated Press, May 11, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 2 Comments »
MDE EXCLUSIVE: WHO IS J. GAUTHIER? FINALLY, AN ANSWER #2
May 14, 2008 12:19 am
As I wrote earlier today, two-months after the story broke about Al Franken’s failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance in the state of New York, we finally know that J. Gauthier is Jason Gauthier.
In two separate phone calls to employees at Al Franken’s New York residence at 90 Riverside Drive, I confirmed that a Jason Gauthier was a former employee. I also confirmed the procedure for the handling of certified mail.
The procedure is to call the residence to see if someone is available to sign for the certified mail. If nobody is home to sign for the certified mail, the doorman signs for the letter. According to the employees I spoke with, the certified mail is given directly to the addressee and not just delivered to the address or slid under the door.
I made numerous phone calls this afternoon and evening, trying to contact the Jason Gauthier that worked at 90 Riverside Drive. Earlier this afternoon, I made a phone call to a Jason Gauthier in New York. After telling the person who answered the phone my name, the phone was hung-up. I quickly called back, but was then told that Jason Gauthier was “not at his desk.” I left a voice-mail message and sent an e-mail, but I have yet to receive a response.
If the Jason Gauthier that I contacted today in New York and sent an e-mail to requesting a comment is the same Jason Gauthier that worked at 90 Riverside Drive, then an interesting a pattern is developing.
Monifa Benison never returned my phone calls or e-mails about her perplexing letter to California Franchise Tax Board. There is no evidence that Ms. Benison spoke to media. Franken’s accountant, Allen Chanzis, told a reporter for the Star Tribune, that he was instructed to say “no comment.” I can’t find an example of Chanzis directly speaking with the media.
Will the Jason Gauthier that worked at 90 Riverside Drive follow the example of Benison and Chanzis and not directly answer questions or return media calls? We’ll see.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 35 Comments »
FOX NEWS INTERVIEW ABOUT BLOGGING AND AL FRANKEN’S TAX TROUBLES
May 13, 2008 10:06 pm
My interview with FOX News was on TV tonight. The segment aired on “Special Report with Brit Hume” Click here to watch the story.
If you’re up at 1:00 a.m., the show will be rebroadcast. I’ll be posting the video tomorrow morning on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 6 Comments »
MDE EXCLUSIVE: WHO IS J. GAUTHIER? FINALLY, AN ANSWER
May 13, 2008 3:45 pm
This post on Sunday evening generated numerous leads on the identity of J. Gauthier. Earlier this afternoon, I spoke with an employee at 90 Riverside Drive, the address of Al Franken’s New York residence, and I was informed that a Jason Gauthier worked there until December 2007.
A phone call and e-mail sent to a Jason Gauthier were not returned before this post was published.
Since Team Franken hasn’t revealed the identity of J. Gauthier, I wouldn’t have been able to track Jason Gauthier if I hadn’t published this post on Sunday.
Two-months after the story broke about Al Franken’s failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance in the state of New York, we finally know who is J. Gauthier.
I would expect numerous updates on this story throughout the day, so please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 25 Comments »
LIBERAL BLOGGER: FRANKEN’S CAMPAIGN “STILL HAS ALL THE APPEAL OF A WINDOW SEAT ON THE HINDENBURG”
May 13, 2008 10:50 am
Christopher Truscott was Ashwin Madia’s spokesman/press secretary during his campaign for the DFL endorsement in the 3rd CD.
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“In the interest of full disclosure, I thought the very notion of Al Franken for U.S. Senate was absurd from the beginning and I did support the ill-fated candidacy of Mike Ciresi.
That said, I accepted that Franken was the likely DFL nominee from the moment he entered the race and hoped he would prove he has what it takes to beat Norm Coleman.
Unfortunately, however, this campaign still has all the appeal of a window seat on the Hindenburg.
To use a more contemporary analogy: Franken may have ruled on Saturday Night Live, but he is not ready for Dancing with the Stars. He is absolutely not ready for prime time.
The attacks on his writings and comedy routines were lame, foreseeable and, to a degree, manageable. But the problems with his business and tax dealings could have been discovered and dealt with before he entered the race and weren’t. It’s only May. What’s next?
You can accuse me of overreacting, fine. But I don’t recall anyone—myself included—predicting anything even resembling a headline like ‘Franken pays $70,000 back taxes, penalties.’ Are there anymore surprises coming? Does anyone really believe the Republicans fired their best shot in April?
We have less than a month before the DFL convention in Rochester. At this writing, it looks like Franken will win the endorsement handily. While avoiding a bruising floor fight is desirable, is getting Franken as the leader of the DFL ticket what we really want—what we really need?” Source: Christopher Truscott, May 13, 2008
Click here for the complete post.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 24 Comments »
PROFESSOR: NELSON-PALLMEYER BENEFITING FROM NEWS ABOUT FRANKEN’S TAX PROBLEMS
May 12, 2008 5:43 pm
“But he adds that a Nelson-Pallmeyer endorsement victory would be a tremendous Franken upset. Kunkel said Nelson-Pallmeyer is benefiting from Mike Ciresi’s decision to leave the Senate race two months ago, and from Franken’s tax problems.” Source: MPR, May 11, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
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“But, Kunkel emphasized, Nelson-Pallmeyer also lacks Franken’s baggage, from tax issues to the wealth of material from Franken’s time as a comedian, a satirist and political commentator.
‘It’s clear that Sen. Coleman wants to make Al Franken the issue, rather than the issues being the issue,’ Kunkel said. ‘And, I think, DFL delegates will be looking at both of those candidates and see who they think might be electable.’” Source: MPR, May 11, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 13 Comments »
PRESS RELEASE: “AMERICAN FUTURE FUND POLITICAL ACTION LAUNCHES NEW FRANKEN WEB AD”
May 12, 2008 1:51 pm
Des Moines, Iowa – American Future Fund (AFF) Political Action today launched the 30-second web ad, “Laugh Track,” exposing Al Franken’s fines for failure to pay workers comp, and highlighting the pattern of tax evasion he racked up in 17 states.
AFF Political Action Spokesman Tim Albrecht said, “Al Franken thinks he is funny, but being a sloppy businessman is no laughing matter. He wants to raise taxes on the people of Minnesota, but failed for years to pay his own. Al Franken’s sketchy past foreshadows a careless, haphazard future if he was a senator.”
The ad is the first produced by AFF Political Action.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 11 Comments »
WHO IS J. GAUTHIER? AN UPDATE
May 11, 2008 9:46 pm
Back in the end of March, I asked about J. Gauthier. Gauthier’s name on a registered mail receipt from a letter sent to Al Franken in New York regarding Franken’s failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance for his employees.
Several sources of Minnesota Democrats Exposed have indicated to me that the last name signature on the a Boys and Girls Club contract that contained Al Franken’s signature and the signature on the certified letter sent to Al Franken’s apartment regarding the workers’ compensation scandal had some striking similarities.
I have put both signatures side-by-side for your review. The one on the left is the Boys and Girls Club contract that has Franken’s signature and the one on the left is the signature underneath the printed name of J.Gauthier.
Please click on the picture for a larger version.
Team Franken continues to remain silent on the status of the more than dozen letters sent to his apartment by the state of New York, including the whereabouts of the certified letter that was received by J. Gauthier.
The graphic on the top of this post is an overlay of the two documents. The signatures look very similar. Please leave your thoughts about the signatures in the comment section of this post.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 44 Comments »
IT’S TRUE: I HAVEN’T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE THAT NATIONAL OR LOCAL DEMOCRATS ARE TAKING STEVE SARVI’S CAMPAIGN SERIOUSLY
May 11, 2008 9:20 am
“Critics say Sarvi isn’t perceived as a threat in the race, with party officials targeting campaigns considered more competitive.
‘I haven’t seen any evidence that national Democrats are taking the race seriously — or on the local side,’ said Republican activist and blogger Michael Brodkorb.
Fundraising has been admittedly difficult so far, Sarvi said. Melendez predicted Sarvi will close the fundraising gap as a full-time candidate.” Source: Red Wing Republican Eagle, May 9, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 16 Comments »