Lori Sturdevant's analysis of Al Franken's campaign may be true for many, but not for us ("Franken's got their interest, is seeking their loyalty," Feb. 3).
We weren't Saturday Night Live fans (sorry, Al), but we first got to know Franken when he spoke out about his friend, Sen. Paul Wellstone, after the tragic accident.
We have attended many rallies and house parties over the last few years where Franken was there to speak for other candidates. Each time we heard him speak, we wanted Franken to run for office. We wanted his compassion and his intelligence representing us in Washington.
Franken is the last to leave an event because he cares that deeply. We know because he has personally reached out to us in a way no other candidate ever has in all the years we have been supporting DFL candidates. Franni is almost always at his side. It reminds us of Sheila Wellstone who worked alongside Paul in Washington. We always said we got "two for one" with the Wellstones. It will be the same with the Frankens.
We call him a progressive, a visionary, but most of all we want to call him our senator.
RANDI REITAN, EDEN PRAIRIE
Vulnerable in Minneapolis need protection I want to thank Nick Coleman for the Feb. 3 column that he did on my son's assault/robbery and the lack of police follow-up. The brusqueness of the Minneapolis Police Department representatives makes me realize that he really needed to be a "body in a trunk" to warrant attention from them in this crime.
My son is especially vulnerable due to his autism and needs the protection and safety of a community that values its vulnerable citizens. They are the ones who suffer the most and need to know there are people to protect them.