MN-Sen: Franken inches closer to Senate run

RollCall points out that regardless of what happens to “The Al Franken Show,” rarely has there been a major event recently for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, as the Democratic Party is known in Minnesota, without Al Franken making an appearance. The magazine says that Franken will announce his intentions early next year.

“He is not acting like someone who is just trying to help,” said Barry Casselman, a Minnesota-based political analyst. “He’s a much sought-after person for fundraisers and he’s been very helpful to DFL candidates. For over a year now, you see him everywhere.”

Franken also launched a political action committee, Midwest Values, in 2005. The PAC distributed more than $240,000 to candidates and other committees as of Oct. 18. That, combined with his trips through the political circuit and stint as an emcee for fundraisers, has helped endear him to the party faithful.

“He’s built up a lot of good will within the party,” said one Minnesota Democratic operative who did not want to be named. “He has positioned himself very well if he is going to run.”

While Franken and other potential candidates continue to deliberate whether to challenge Coleman, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) has taken herself out of the running.

McCollum is “100 percent committed to the House and a Democratic majority,” according to her spokesman.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (D) is another oft-mentioned potential Senate candidate. The Democratic operative said Rybak has been “spending more time outside of Minneapolis and must be at least considering a run.”

Other Democrats believed to be mulling bids are: St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (no relation to the Senator); outgoing state Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson; state Sen. Becky Lourey; and attorney Mike Ciresi […]

For the immediate future, Franken, who declined to be interviewed for this story, is focusing on his role as a comedian. He embarks on a United Service Organizations tour this week, his seventh since the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

His tour will take him to Afghanistan and Kuwait as well as to Iraq as he tries to bolster the spirits of U.S. troops during the holiday season.

The Daily Kos reponded today saying: Coleman won’t survive 2008. The MN GOP spin is that Klobuchar was the strongest Dem in the state, and she already won this year. But fact is that there’s little appetite for Republicans in the state.