mn senate youtube debate 081608

On the homepage

Vikings

Favre's stats put him in MVP picture

Out There

Pardon Board

Not all forgiven

Petters

Petters jury will resume deliberations Tuesday

Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | U.S. Senate

Franken, Coleman in YouTube 'debate'

Associated Press

Last update: August 16, 2008 - 2:33 PM

Featured comment

Norm Coleman on YouTube: A phone-it-in effort by a phoney

Extreme Snake Oil Sales 101: Norm Coleman sits himself in front of a blue background plastered with his name, his campaign slogan, and … read more then also has his name and website data printed on the lower left of our view. Couldn't go with the Republican red like those ties you wear whenever you're photographed with George W. Bush, eh Norm? Are you doing this YouTube deal to answer questions, Norm, or to solicit more of those "contributions" you're famous for? What was with all that butcher wrapping behind you, anyway? Trying to turn your Senate office into Campaign Central? Tsk, tsk, Normy! And you just had to continue the Democratic blue theme, Norm, when you selected a powder blue buttoned shirt, but you didn't have a normal-sized chair, huh, Norm? Had to go with one too big to make it suggest to the viewer you're somehow important...either that, or you're going for that "see, I'm sitting in the high chair all by myself! look. The actual result, Normy, is that you look too small and insignificant for basic furniture. Did you use all your good furniture to pay your rent? You know, all this blue imagery makes it seem like you're trying to hide from voters that you're a neo-con Republican, Normy, but we know better, ok? So knock it off with your continued pretending. Your answers to the questions, Norm, were pathetic. It was like you were just spitting back campaign slogans and boring, boring, BORING rehashed Republican talking points. Do you have any kind of personality at all, Normy? What did I see when I saw Al Franken speak? I saw someone who should be Senator. Al Franken's appearance had none of that sales and marketing shuck and jive like you had, Normy. The warmth of the lamp and the living room atmosphere looked great, not that ice cold blue thing you were going for, Normy. Al Franken gave clear, understandable responses that actually got his point across, unlike your whiny, canned "second verse, just like the first" blather, Norm. In a word, Al Franken showed sincerity to me and respected me as a voter. As for you, Normy, you need to go to Toastmasters or something, because your piece was like watching the proverbial paint dry. Ugh!!

Close comment

8 comments | See all
Hide reader comments

Print this story

See complete coverage

More from U.S. Senate

MINNEAPOLIS - Al Franken and Norm Coleman don't have any debates scheduled yet in the U.S. Senate contest. But you can see them answering questions about the issues on your own computer.

The candidates are the first in the country to participate in YouTube's 2008 election project, which the popular Web site is calling "YouChoose '08."

YouTube users submitted questions on topics ranging from energy policy to jobs to their own personality traits. Video clips featuring the candidates answering the questions are now live on the site.

In the coming weeks candidates in races all over the country will be participating in similar forums.

___

On the Net:

The Franken/Coleman answers can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/YouChoose08

___

Recent U.S. Senate stories

Senator: Oversight needed at ailing pension agency, controversial contracts should be rebid - August 16, 2008

Senator: Oversight needed at ailing pension agency, controversial contracts should be rebid - The rapidly deteriorating financial health of the federal agency that guarantees 44 million Americans' pensions is raising alarms in Congress, where key lawmakers are demanding tougher rules to insure vigilant oversight of its multibillion-dollar investment portfolio. More

Comment on this story | Read all 8 comments | Hide reader comments

The Whistleblower blog has moved

The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]

National Politics

President

U.S. Senate

U.S. House

In Congress

State Politics

Local Politics

On the homepage

Vikings

Favre's stats put him in MVP picture

Out There

Pardon Board

Not all forgiven

Petters

Petters jury will resume deliberations Tuesday

Franken, Coleman in YouTube 'debate'

Featured comment

Norm Coleman on YouTube: A phone-it-in effort by a phoney

More from U.S. Senate

Recent U.S. Senate stories

Comment on this story | Read all 8 comments | Hide reader comments

Post your comment:

Title (Optional)

Your comments:

The Whistleblower blog has moved

Recent posts

Attention Employers

Find Your Next Home

Win tickets to the North Star Roller Girls' second bout at the Minneapolis Convention Center.