Minnesota Race Continues to Perplex

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2008 In case you haven't been following Al Franken's fortunes in Minnesota's ongoing recount, here's a brief recap: He was down, but not by much, then down by less and, a little later, even less, then he claimed to be up, but now it looks like he's down again, but not by much. Confused? You're not alone. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken to Take Senate Fight to … the Senate

Staff / Truthdig Dec 2, 2008 Still locked in a bitter recount battle for the right to represent Minnesota in the upper house, Al Franken's lawyer says he might take the matter directly to the U.S. Senate, which the Constitution allows to be the "Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fun With Ballots

Staff / Truthdig Nov 21, 2008 Minnesota's ballot showdown is underway as Al Franken and Norm Coleman's contest for the U.S. Senate comes down to a recount and voter intent. Minnesota Public Radio has decided not to let the campaigns have all the fun of chucking (or un-chucking) ballots. Now you can, too! Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Minnesota Is the New Florida

Staff / Truthdig Nov 14, 2008 While Minnesota gets ready for a recount, it looks like one way or another the state's U.S. Senate race will be decided in court. With bad memories of Florida, Al Franken and Norm Coleman's campaigns are already arguing about whose vote should count and why. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken Closes In on Coleman

Staff / Truthdig Nov 8, 2008 Having suggested that fellow Minnesotan Al Franken should concede defeat earlier in the week, Norm Coleman was keeping mum by Friday afternoon, when it was discovered that Franken was trailing his Republican rival for the U.S. Senate by only 238 votes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Paper Calls Oregon Race for the Democrat

Staff / Truthdig Nov 6, 2008 The Democrats fell short in their quest for 60 U.S. Senate seats, but the race isn't quite over. After a fierce battle in the politically fascinating state of Oregon, Democratic usurper Jeff Merkley has been projected by The Oregonian to defeat Sen. Gordon Smith. That leaves Minnesota and Georgia. Update Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken Could Still Have the Last Laugh

Staff / Truthdig Nov 6, 2008 A razor-thin margin in the contest for a Minnesota Senate seat between comedian Al Franken, the Democrat, and Republican incumbent Norm Coleman will trigger an automatic recount that is likely to stretch into December. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken Gaining Ground in Minnesota Senate Race

Staff / Truthdig Oct 24, 2008 A couple of months ago, Al Franken's U.S. Senate bid might have seemed like a long shot, even when it came to politics as (un)usual in his quirky home state of Minnesota. Now, victory may be within reach for the former "SNL" star in his race against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Democrats as Big Brother?

By Will Evans, Center for Investigative Reporting Oct 9, 2008 A lobbying powerhouse with an emphatically pro-Republican political action committee is pounding Democratic Senate candidates for supporting legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize. The ads portray Al Franken in Minnesota and Tom Allen of Maine as backing Big Brother-style surveillance of American workers. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Ventura Staying Out of Minnesota Senate Race

Staff / Truthdig Jul 15, 2008 It would have made for quite a political smackdown, but former Minnesota governor and one-time WWF wrestler Jesse Ventura has nixed rumors that he will take on Al Franken and Norm Coleman as a senatorial candidate. Of course, if God intervenes, "The Body" might change his mind. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Al Franken: From ‘SNL’ to U.S. Senate?

Staff / Truthdig Jun 10, 2008 Al Franken's career arc has taken an unconventional turn: The comedian has nailed down the Minnesota Democrats' endorsement for the U.S. Senate, following in former Gov. Jesse Ventura's footsteps as a performer-turned-politician in the Midwestern state. Starting out in comedy may serve Franken well in Congress, where knowing how to work a tough crowd just might come in handy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Truthdig Podcast: Saving Air America

Staff / Truthdig Apr 2, 2007 Mark Green, the new president of Air America, tells Truthdig why it didn't work, what he's going to do to fix it and what you can expect in the future from America's largest progressive radio network. Pictured above, Al Franken, who was an Air America host. Dig deeper ( 12 Min. Read )