Al Franken's Blog, page 38
October 26, 2014
WCCO DEBATE: McFadden repeatedly uses Obamacare claim he knows isn’t true
Investment banker Mike McFadden has consistently demonstrated over the past year that he has no problem misleading Minnesotans. McFadden’s claim that Sen. Franken said “those who liked their health plans could keep them under the Affordable Care Act” is false. McFadden has offered “no record” of Sen. Franken making this claim and media outlets have deemed it “shaky” and “taken out of context.”
FACT: MCFADDEN KNOWS THIS ATTACK IS FALSE; MINNESOTA NEWS OUTLETS HAVE DEBUNKED IT MULTIPLE TIMES
November 2013: “Quotation Context Is Key To McFadden Health-Care Hit On Franken.” According to MinnPost, “The five-second sound bite Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden is using to try tying Sen. Al Franken to the latest health-care reform rollout controversy is taken out of context. McFadden released a web video Friday purporting to show Franken using President Obama’s much-repeated promise that under the health-care overhaul, if individuals like their current health insurance plans they could keep them … McFadden’s campaign dug up a clip of Franken saying something similar to Obama: In a November 2009 floor speech, just his second in the Senate, Franken said, ‘People who are happy with their current plans would not need to change them.’ On Friday, McFadden released a web ad based around the quotation, saying, ‘Either Al Franken misled us. Or failed us.’ But Franken wasn’t repeating Obama’s line — in fact, he wasn’t talking about the Affordable Care Act at all. He was, instead, advocating for a public-health insurance option, a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers, something some Democrats unsuccessfully tried to insert into the final health-care reform overhaul bill.” [MinnPost, 11/4/13 (emphasis added)]
January 2014: “McFadden Repeatedly Makes Shaky Claim About Franken Quote.”According to the Star Tribune, “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden this week repeated his shaky claim that Democratic incumbent Al Franken said those who liked their health plans could keep them under the Affordable Care Act. ‘After all, President Obama and Sen. Al Franken lied to him, promising that those who liked their plans could keep them,’ McFadden said in a pre-caucus email this week. But the McFadden campaign offered no record of Franken making that promise.” [Star Tribune, 1/30/14]
Bottom Line: Investment banker Mike McFadden is playing politics and misleading Minnesotans, not working to actually solve problems.
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October 25, 2014
RELEASE: Mike McFadden’s company scrubs deal highlighted in Franken ad
Once-featured restructuring of Smurfit-Stone suddenly vanishes from website
ST. PAUL [10/25/14] — Investment banker Mike McFadden’s company Lazard Middle Market has suddenly scrubbed all mentions of its work on the Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation restructuring deal featured in the Franken campaign’s new ad, “Wasteland,” which details the devastation that occurred as a result of the deal.
In 2009 and 2010, McFadden’s company advised the restructuring of Smurfit Stone. During the restructuring, Smurfit-Stone shuttered a Montana mill, laying off all 417 workers. McFadden’s company walked away with a $9 million fee from the deal.
At a press conference Friday morning, McFadden tried to distance himself from the deal, saying, “They made reference that I’m the CEO of Lazard. I’m not the CEO of Lazard.” But unfortunately for McFadden, he WAS the CEO of Lazard Middle Market, which featured its work on the Smurfit-Stone restructuring deal prominently on its website on his watch.
Here are the facts:
FACT: Lazard Middle Market has long boasted about its work on the restructuring on its website, but that content has been abruptly taken down
FACT: Despite news reports more than a year old, the Smurfit-Stone restructuring deal continued to remain a featured transaction on Lazard Middle Market’s website.
“In a third instance, Lazard Middle Management helped the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. navigate bankruptcy and debt restructuring, in the process shuttering mills in Michigan and Montana. McFadden did not respond to emails and a voicemail, so it’s unclear how he will present his business experience in a Senate campaign…” [POLITICO, 5/3/13]
“Lazard Middle Market Co-CEO Mike McFadden has taken a leave of absence from his duties at the Minneapolis investment bank, managing director Bob Burns said Friday … Reported Politico: ‘Published reports show that in at least three cases, Lazard Middle Management has been hired to advise companies that subsequently cut workers or moved jobs overseas … In a third instance, Lazard Middle Management helped the Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. navigate bankruptcy and debt restructuring, in the process shuttering mills in Michigan and Montana.’” [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 5/31/13 ]
Here’s a version of the website that has the deal featured as recently as last week.
Here’s another version of the website that has the deal featured as recently as August.
FACT: This isn’t the first time McFadden has been caught trying to distance himself from a deal the company did and featured prominently on the Lazard Middle Market website. Last May, on his second day as a Senate candidate, McFadden tried to claim his company played no role in the debt restructuring of NewPage Corporation in Duluth. Unfortunately for McFadden, that deal was also featured on his company’s website as a deal his company had done.
“But McFadden’s campaign manager, Tom Erickson, said McFadden and his company, Lazard Middle Market, had nothing to do with the restructuring…. But Lucking said McFadden’s company did play a role in NewPage’s restructuring. She points to Lazard Middle Market’s website that says NewPage was one of the transactions done by McFadden’s company.” [MPR, 5/30/13]
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Getting out the vote: Fata
Fata Acquoi, a student at the University of Minnesota, joined Team Franken this fall as an intern. She’s working hard to assist the field and political teams to get out the vote for Al and other DFLers.
“In high school, I volunteered for a county sheriff campaign with my family — so I know how important getting out the vote is to candidates like Al.”
Fata supports Al because he’s been a champion of the issues she really cares about: making college more affordable and women’s health.
“Sen. Franken is working hard so that first generation college students like myself can graduate without a mountain of debt. Students, like homeowners, should be able to refinance their loans at lower rates. It’s just common sense!”
Making sure voters like herself are engaged in the political process will be a driving force for Fata in the final days of this campaign.
“We hear about it all of the time: turnout takes a major dive in midterm elections, particularly in the African American community. I want to make sure people understand that all politics are truly local. Because in most cases, who we elect to City Hall or the U.S. Senate is bound to have a more direct impact on our day-to-day lives.”
What are you waiting for? Say you’re in to get out the vote today.
The post Getting out the vote: Fata appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
October 24, 2014
New ad: Mike McFadden’s company made millions on deal that laid off workers
Lazard advised restructuring process that shuttered Montana mill
ST. PAUL [10/24/14] — The Franken campaign’s new ad, released today, details how investment banker Mike McFadden’s company made millions brokering a deal that shut down a Montana mill and cost hundreds of workers their jobs.
In 2009, McFadden’s company advised the restructuring of Smurfit Stone Container Corp. During the restructuring, Smurfit-Stone shuttered a Montana mill, laying off all 417 workers. McFadden’s company walked away with a $9 million fee from the deal.
The 60-second statewide ad, titled “Wasteland,” features four longtime mill workers recalling the devastation left behind in the wake of the deal that Mike McFadden’s company helped broker: “I drive by there now and then, and it’s like a wasteland,”says Jack Grover, one of the workers.
McFadden’s firm was hired to help Smurfit-Stone negotiate with its creditors as they went through bankruptcy in 2009 and 2010. During that process, the company, looking to become a “much leaner organization” shuttered the mill in Montana, along with one in Ontonagon, Michigan. These mill closures were linked directly to Lazard’s work, as the company’s creditors explicitly approved the plan. Lazard Middle Market boasted about the restructuring on its website until today when it was taken down after the ad started airing. You can see a version of the website that lists the Smurfit-Stone restructuring among the firm’s transactions here.
“Mike McFadden says he’s created jobs, but, you look behind me, how many people you see workin’ out here?” said Rich Varner, one of the workers in front of the closed, empty mill.
Documentation of the ad can be found here.
TRANSCRIPT:
AL FRANKEN: I’m Al Franken, and I approved this message.
RICH VARNER: I worked at the mill for 32 years.
JACK GROVER: I was there for 37 years.
RON MARCUM: I was 22 when I started working at the mill, and stayed there ‘til they shut down.
DAN LEE: When they just abruptly said the mill’s goin’ down in 90 days. So sorry. It was devastating.
RICH VARNER: 400 employees had lost their job. Who’s gonna hire a guy two years from retirement?
RON MARCUM: We were makin’ money when they shut us down. And Mike McFadden was the CEO of the company that helped put us out of work.
DAN LEE: Mike McFadden’s company made millions, and they don’t care who they hurt in the process.
RON MARCUM: I don’t know why anybody that’s a workin’ man would wanna go out and support this man.
JACK GROVER: I drive by there now and then, and it’s like a wasteland.
RICH VARNER: Mike McFadden says he’s created jobs, but, you look behind me, how many people you see workin’ out here?
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St. Cloud Times endorses Al for re-election
Sam Fettig, Communications Assistant
More good news — The St. Cloud Times Editorial Board endorsed Al for re-election:
In not endorsing Al Franken in 2008, this board cited Independence candidate Dean Barkley as being most in touch with local, middle-class voters. Franken objected immediately and vowed to show it. In six years – and in a highly polarized Capitol – he has, and he deserves re-election.
Again, noting neither he nor Republican challenger Mike McFadden will stray far from their respective party’s line, Franken still stood up for Main Street over Wall Street, for a reasonable farm bill, and for better matching people with employers through education.
The post St. Cloud Times endorses Al for re-election appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
October 23, 2014
Did you see: The Minnesota Daily endorses Al for re-election
Sara Cederberg, Digital Director
More good news — the editorial board of the student-run Minnesota Daily just endorsed Al for re-election:
The race for Minnesota’s contested Senate seat is still fairly close, with recent polls suggesting that Democratic incumbent Sen. Al Franken is ahead of Republican challenger Mike McFadden by about 10 percentage points. While Franken has been criticized by his opponent for inaction and siding too often with President Barack Obama, in actuality, he had a successful start in Washington.
While it’s important for Minnesota politics that McFadden poses a strong challenge, we support Franken in continuing what he started: serving Minnesotans, especially students.
Franken has enacted a number of measures benefiting students. As a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act and student loan and open-textbook bills, Franken supports getting everyone in Minnesota a quality education. He also has big plans for the future of higher education in Minnesota.
Though Republicans recently blocked his student loan refinancing bill, Franken has promised to continue fighting for students to be able to refinance their loan debt, claiming that “we will revisit this, and it will get done.”
Apart from education, Franken has strongly supported net neutrality and renewable energies like biodiesels, and he even fought for a provision in the health care reform law that resulted in health insurance companies focusing on actual treatments instead of exorbitant administration salaries.
While he still has room for growth as a leader, Franken has had successes in his first term and gained valuable experience that would serve him well in a second term.
The post Did you see: The Minnesota Daily endorses Al for re-election appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
October 22, 2014
RECAP: First Lady Michelle Obama in North Minneapolis
Laura Gillen
Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama, Governor Mark Dayton and Al spoke to more than 2,000 people at Patrick Henry High School. They all emphasized how important it is to get out the vote, especially in our own communities. “No one is working harder for Minnesota families than Senator Al Franken and Governor Mark Dayton.”
Folks were excited to hear from the First Lady — as well as learning about opportunities to get involved:
“I want to make sure Democrats can keep doing what they’re doing to keep moving forward. That’s why I’ve already phone banked and voted for Al, Mark and other DFLers. Midterm elections are so important and there’s a lot at stake this year.” – Koffee
“I’m a fan of Al, and he’s a fan of me! I love that he’s a champion for affordable education for all kids and working to reduce the burden of student loan debt. I am still paying off my student loans and currently have three kids in college, and another on their way. I understand the importance of this issue, and respect him for fighting for it.” – Joy
“You have some politicians who let outside organizations dictate their agenda, and then you have those who are in it for the people. I feel Al is the latter.” – S.B.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Michelle Obama. I appreciate what she and politicians like Al Franken stand for: the people. All I have is my voice and voting allows me the opportunity to use it.” – Camille
“I was excited for my students to attend today’s event — I’m always promoting the importance of being an active citizen. By seeing politicians like Al Franken, and understanding the issues he’s fighting for, like student loan refinancing — I hope they choose to exercise their voice and vote.” – Erik
Ready to help us get out the vote? Sign up for an event near you today.
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October 21, 2014
Did you see: ECM Publishers Editorial Board endorses Al
Big news: the ECM Publishers Editorial Board just endorsed Al. Check it out below — then share the good news with your friends.
If Minnesotans in 2009 were expecting Al Franken to arrive in Washington, D.C., as a bombastic elected official wanting to turn the U.S. Senate into a comedy hall, they were clearly mistaken. Instead, Sen. Al Franken became a low-key, out-of-the-limelight senator who quietly went about his business of serving Minnesota.
With the narrowest of victories secured in a long and bitter recount with former Sen. Norm Coleman, Minnesota’s junior senator had little political capital to spend. Franken, who had made his mark as a television comedian, book author and radio political commentator, buckled down to business and stayed clear of a national media certainly hungry to feed on his celebrity.
Now six years later, Sen. Franken faces re-election on Nov. 4 and is challenged by Republican Mike McFadden and Steve Carlson, who won the Independence Party primary but has been disavowed by the party. We have followed Franken closely during his term and believe he deserves to continue his service to the state and nation.
Campaign rhetoric is one thing; getting results in Washington is something else. Franken has been repeatedly challenged by McFadden for voting with President Obama 97 percent of the time. It is also evident that Franken has made a determined effort to work across party lines and achieve bipartisan agreements.
An examination of Franken’s work reflects bipartisan efforts that have produced results. It was Franken’s provision in the 2010 health reform bill (the 80/20 rule) that required insurers to spend at least 80 percent on actual health care and not on administrative salaries and expenses, and marketing. Insurers that spent over 20 percent were required to rebate the difference to policy holders. More than $330 million was rebated to individuals in 2011, including nearly 2,000 Minnesotans who received more than $500,000.
Franken was active in passing the bipartisan 2014 farm bill where he helped write the energy section that expands the use of renewable energies that assist farmers and small businesses by cutting energy costs. The bill reforms the nation’s farm policy and saves money by cutting the federal deficit $24 billion. Franken supported legislation creating the 12-member bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction that recommended ways to slash $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit over the next decade. When agreement could not be found in Congress, automatic cuts of discretionary spending resulted in 2013 through sequestration.
We applaud Franken’s determined work on workforce investment programs that build partnerships between the government, schools, businesses and men and women who train to fill high-skill jobs. In a time when many jobs go unfilled because trained workers can’t be found, it is a highly important effort. Franken also was key in passing Wall Street reforms and co-authored specific reform of Wall Street credit rating agencies. He was on board in passing the 2013 bipartisan Violence Against Women Act that includes Franken provisions to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. He was successful this year in securing funds for schools to improve mental health services for students and families.
Our endorsement of Al Franken is not a condemnation of ideas espoused by McFadden. Our editorial board was impressed with McFadden’s passion and understanding of key issues. He is on leave from a Minneapolis-based investment bank where he advised privately-held companies on mergers and acquisitions. He sees transportation, education and health care as key issues.
McFadden would keep the popular parts of the Affordable Care Act, but describes the federal mandate as a “train wreck” that is not providing quality health care and driving up costs. On transportation, McFadden understands there are gaping needs nationwide and believes roads and bridges in Minnesota have been neglected. With the total federal budget topping $3.5 trillion, he says dollars can be found to improve infrastructure. On education, McFadden believes the achievement gap and high school graduation rates between white and minority students is unacceptable and is the “civil rights issue of our time.”
There are clear differences in the candidates. McFadden would work for immediate approval of the Keystone pipeline and proposes that copper and nickel mining in northern Minnesota should commence soon. Franken will support Keystone if it is built with American steel and all regulatory steps are completed. The latter holds for mining in Minnesota. In foreign policy, McFadden supports the current actions in Iraq and Syria, but fears America’s allies don’t trust the U.S. and that the nation’s enemies don’t fear the U.S. Franken agrees that military action targeting ISIS is warranted but further authorization of force under the 2001-2002 act may be too broad.
We believe Al Franken is best prepared to deal with major issues facing the United States and Minnesota. If returned to office, we expect Franken to take the next step in becoming a national leader on a major issue, be it health care, foreign policy, the economy or immigration. He no longer needs to stand in the shadows; it’s now his opportunity to lead in the fashion of a Humphrey, McCarthy or Mondale.
The post Did you see: ECM Publishers Editorial Board endorses Al appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
October 20, 2014
Hillary Clinton is coming to St. Paul!
This just in: Hillary Clinton is coming to St. Paul for a special grassroots event, and we’d love it if you’d join us!
Here’s the details — click here to RSVP:
WHO: Hillary Clinton, Governor Mark Dayton, you, and me.
WHAT: Grassroots Early Vote and GOTV Event
WHEN: Thursday, October 23rd, doors at 3:00pm
WHERE: Macalester College, Leonard Center Field House, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
WHY: Because Hillary Clinton needs no introduction. And I know she’s going to inspire us as we head into the final days of this campaign.
If you think you can make it, send us an RSVP so we know you’re coming:
Thanks, and we’ll see you on Thursday!
Al
The post Hillary Clinton is coming to St. Paul! appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
October 19, 2014
RECAP: On the campaign trail with Elizabeth Warren
Sara Cederberg, Digital Director
On Saturday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined Team Franken for a series of stops on the campaign trail, starting in Northfield for a grassroots rally and ending in Hopkins for a canvass kickoff. As you’ll see, it was a pretty inspiring day.
[View the story "RECAP: On the road with Elizabeth Warren" on Storify]
Fired up? Sign up to join Team Franken at a GOTV shift near you.
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