WHY I’M RUNNING

Make no mistake: I am in this race to win. My candidacy is 100 percent aimed at replacing Norm Coleman this November with a U.S. senator whose legislative and policy positions are consistent with the views and priorities of most Minnesotans, and not just a rubber stamp for the Bush-Cheney agenda that most Minnesotans oppose.

This senate seat is not just one vote. It is potentially the 60th vote in the senate which can break the gridlock and help get us back on the right track. With President Obama and 60 democratic votes, we can end the war in Iraq and invest in jobs, infrastructure, education and health care. These are the urgent needs that the Bush-Cheney-Coleman team chooses to ignore.

Al Franken does not represent Minnesota values:
    His coarse humor and language is demeaning to women and minorities.
    His tax problems and questionable financial transactions are not consistent with the way most Minnesotans view their responsibilities.
    He has lived in New York almost all of his adult life and has moved to Minnesota just to run for office.
    Most of his funding comes from his Hollywood and entertainment business contacts.
    He has demeaned and insulted other Senators and office holders, the very people he will have to work with to accomplish anything in Washington.
    In his own words he is an angry man, and he screams profanities and insults to those who disagree with him.
    He says he would not be a good person to hold political office because he is "indecisive" and he views politics as interesting only because the election races are interesting.
    He is behind Coleman by 15 points in the polls.

I do represent the values of Minnesotans because I am one:
    Fourth generation lifetime resident of Minnesota
    University of Minnesota and Hamline Law School graduate
    Demonstrated abilities as a respectful advocate, mediator and problem solver.
    Small business owner for 24 years.
    Community volunteer
    Teacher of 3rd grade and special education
    Young Life staff member

I am concerned that the Franken campaign has squandered a lead and fallen behind in the polls even as Barack Obama has opened up a wide double-digit lead. All the facts are showing that he is way behind in the polls and he has had two years & millions of dollars to work nonstop as a campaigner. The Washington Post has downgraded Franken's chances of winning as the lowest. As a Minnesotan, I couldn’t sit by and let this happen. This is why I am running for US Senate and intend to represent the values of my fellow Minnesotans.