This is amusing for it's total ridiculousness. In the AP story about upcoming Senate campaign of Al Franken, the soon to be ex-Air America ranter and supposed comedian, AP seems to have forgotten to mention he is a liberal.
The short AP blurb doesn't mention it at all: Short AP Version.
And the long piece gives no hint of Franken's leanings until the last line of the report: Long AP Version
And even the long piece does not state Franken's leftist positioning as a fact, but couches it as the claim of a political science professor. And they don't even introduce the label until the very last paragraph of a ten paragraph story.
Franken faces major challenges, said Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota. Besides needing to establish himself as a serious candidate, Franken has staked out left-wing policies that make it questionable whether he can win independent voters, Jacobs said.
Here is how the piece starts (in the short version)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Comedian Al Franken has decided to run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2008, challenging incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, a senior Democratic party official said Wednesday.
No mention of Franken's leftist proclivities there.
Now let's contrast that with how the AP worded the first segments of several of their stories on Republicans who have recently announced they are running for office. (Bold emphasis mine)
(First section) WASHINGTON -- Conservative Republican Mike Huckabee, seeking to repeat the success of another former governor from Hope, Ark., said Sunday he is taking the first step in what he acknowledged is an underdog bid for the White House in 2008.
(Fourth section) The 14-term conservative from California, who has made no secret of his White House aspirations, set up a presidential exploratory committee earlier this month.
(First section)TOPEKA, Kan. -- Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback figures he has an edge with Republican voters that other presidential rivals don't - unquestioned conservative credentials.
About campaign of Sam Brownback and Duncan Hunter
(First section) WASHINGTON -- Two of the Republicans' most conservative presidential hopefuls promised anti-abortion activists on Monday that if elected, they would work to overturn the Supreme Court decision legalizing the procedure.
Lots of mentions of "conservative" leanings in their reports of Republican announcements for candidacy. So, why not mention Franken's leftism especially since it isn't just an incidental fact with Franken himself saying he is loudly and proudly a leftist?
Yet, AP won't even accede to the candidate's own self-labeled positioning.
Why can't the AP force themselves to identify liberal candidates as such?
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I will definitely be sendin
January 31, 2007 - 21:40 ET by zhombreI will definitely be sending contributions to Norm Coleman with the hope he crushes this unfunny dwarf. "Senator Al Franken" sounds about as inspiring as the phrase "colonic irrigation."
Has he ever held an elected
January 31, 2007 - 21:48 ET by kevcadHas he ever held an elected office? Seems a Senatorship sets the bar a wee bit high.
He should’ve started at, maybe… dog catcher?
Not that anyone would elect his sorry ass for that, either.
In a town full of cats, he couldn't get elected.
January 31, 2007 - 22:06 ET by acaiguanaIn a town full of cats, he couldn't get elected.
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "I love blind Monkeys and any inference that I am making fun of blind Monkeys would be wrong.
Isn't Minnesota the same sta
January 31, 2007 - 22:44 ET by Del DolemonteIsn't Minnesota the same state that elected a professional wrassler Governor a few years back?
Never misunderestimate the stupidity of the average American voter, nor the power of the mainstream media. After all, Bill Clinton's media enablers managed to con Americans into believing that the early 1990s economy sucked, even though it had been in recovery since March of 1991. Due to their subterfuge, he won.
In addition, Mrs. Bill Clinton managed to con the third most populated state in the US to elect her "Senator", despite the fact that she had never lived in that state, and had absolutely no political experience other than being First Lady. She used Presidential aircraft to fly to and from campaign appearances, and the compliant media ignored it as well.
I won't even get into the movie stars. Ronnie Reagan not only was elected Governor of California but also President of the United States, and Arnie recently was re-elected Governor of California as well. I'm not saying Ronnie and Arnie are/were "bad", just that it's easier to fool the people and get elected than one might think.
Del, I am really surprised b
January 31, 2007 - 22:59 ET by mandrakeDel, I am really surprised by your comments. You seem contemptuous of your fellow citizens. I am Canadian but I have always loved American culture. I love your movies, airplanes, the fact that you went to the moon, your spirit of enterprise, yes I even love New York!. I've been to Alaska..beautiful country.
I think your people are very wise...even if you don't!
LOL, I am just being realisti
February 1, 2007 - 12:35 ET by Del DolemonteLOL, I am just being realistic. As I said, I wasn't trashing Reagan, etc. But as a former Democrat whose party left him, I am very cynical about the intelligence of the people who now make up the mainstream of that party.
I've also had time to reflect on what the Democrats have done to the country; I grew up (and was educated in the public schools of) several of the most liberal blue states in the land. And in 2007, I can assure you that all of them are in worse shape than they were 40 years ago, due to nearly half a century of nonstop (D) rule. Hint: one of them is where Kerry and Kennedy come from...
frankenstein
January 31, 2007 - 21:49 ET by the mad poleNOW!!!!!, he's funny.
Sorry ...
January 31, 2007 - 22:06 ET by Dave PierreDid someone say Al Franken? Can I put in a shameless plug?
Frankenlies.com: The truth about the lies of Al Franken; Franken debunked ...
Thank you.
Why is the AP hiding Franken's liberal leanings?
January 31, 2007 - 23:06 ET by nkviking75Why is the AP being so coy? The highly liberal Minneapolis Star-Tribune plastered Franken's liberal ties all over their story. But then, in Minnesota, liberalism isn't as scary as it is in most states.
Why would they bother telling
February 1, 2007 - 00:07 ET by Dave DWhy would they bother telling us he's a lib? I mean it'd be the same thing as telling people rain is wet, it's common knowledge.
If you think politics is "com
February 1, 2007 - 00:42 ET by Warner Todd HustonIf you think politics is "common knowledge" you aren't aware of just how few Americans pay attention to politics. Not mentioning Franken's leftism in the story smacks of trying to hide it from people, ESPECIALLY when they make it so prominent when they mention conservative candidates.
WTH - can you imagine if An
February 1, 2007 - 00:51 ET by Dee BunkWTH - can you imagine if Ann Coulter ran for Senate? What would they call her? I doubt they would leave out that she is conservative. It wouldn't just be just conservative either. I'm sure the words like extremist and divisive would be used also. Franken is not just a liberal, he's a liberal on the lunatic fringe.
And they would focus on how "
February 1, 2007 - 01:23 ET by Warner Todd HustonAnd they would focus on how "controversial" she is and would highlight all the name calling she has done. But WHERE is the expose of all the name calling that Franken has indulged in?? Bet we NEVER see it.
Now, that is an interesting comparison, Franklen/Coulter.
February 1, 2007 - 06:22 ET by acaiguanaNow, that is an interesting comparison, Franken/Coulter.
Thanks for bringing it up. I believe that with all the witty and caustic comments that Coulter has managed over the years (I like to read Ann) that Franken is not witty. Franken is only caustic.
Whatever makes one call him 'funny' is a different 'bone' than I have in my tickle box.
This guy is completely whacko, loony, nuts!
And you are totally right. Much more divisive than Coulter. This is a great example of bias all the way down the line. From the beginning of his show to what I would hope is his ignoble end in politics.
ACA
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Acaiguana says: "I love blind Monkeys and any inference that I am making fun of blind Monkeys would be wrong.
Franken's party is "Comedian"
February 1, 2007 - 08:52 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasI think they did list Franken's party, the "Comedian" party. And what a comedy it will be. Personally I think the article demonstrates how little respect Franken gets by not even associating him with politics but comedy, i.e. can he be taken seriously? Certainly I am not apologizing for the obvious and consistent bias by the AP who regularly fails to idenitify Democrat personalities when unfavorable news or controversies sorround them.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
An earlier comedian who ran f
February 1, 2007 - 12:37 ET by Del DolemonteAn earlier comedian who ran for President was Pat Paulsen in 1968, who was the standard-bearer for the Straight Talking American Government Party. In other words, the STAG Party!
Pat Paulsen was funny, unlike
February 1, 2007 - 19:42 ET by MikeBPat Paulsen was funny, unlike Franken. Pat skewered both parties equally, as I recall. When asked what he'd do if he won the election, Pat answered, "Leave the country."
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
What they forgot to mention i
February 1, 2007 - 09:50 ET by moonjohnWhat they forgot to mention is that Al Franken is a buffoon.
Franken
February 1, 2007 - 20:20 ET by pbthinkerIn the Palm Beach Rag today, they had an even briefer story about this. You have to love the headline: "Comedian Franken to run for U.S. Senate." Instead of: "Far Left Wing talkhost Al Franken to run for U.S. Senate."
If Franken can get elected in Minnesota, over Coleman, there is little hope for that state. Of course, when the media is willing to overlook his far left leanings, anything can happen. Let's face it, there are few people in Minnesota, let alone the rest of the country, who have heard Franken spout his views on Air America.