Politics

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) ― U.S. Senate candidates Al Franken and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer fought Saturday for the endorsement of Democratic activists, and Franken responded to mounting pressure over jokes and comments he made over the years that have offended some in his own party.

Franken said some of the things he said and wrote over 35 years as a writer were "downright offensive."

"I understand that. And I understand that the people of Minnesota deserve a senator who won't say things that make them feel uncomfortable," Franken said in his speech at the state Democratic convention.

But Franken offered himself as the Democrat best positioned to defeat the Republican incumbent, Sen. Norm Coleman. "Together we're going to win this race and take this seat back for the people of Minnesota," Franken said.

In his own speech to the convention, Nelson-Pallmeyer gave a full-throated affirmation of liberal values -- criticizing the Iraq war as being fought to protect U.S. oil interests in the Middle East.

"Now is our time to end an immoral war that is bankrupting our country," said Nelson-Pallmeyer, a college professor who wrapped up his speech by inviting comparison to a Minnesota Democratic icon, the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone: "When do we send another professor to Washington?" Nelson-Pallmeyer said.

During a question-and-answer session before delegates and alternates, both candidates called for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, said they'd vote for universal health care in the Senate and criticized tax policy they said favored the wealthy, to huge applause from the crowd. They both contrasted themselves sharply with Coleman.

The endorsement floor fight was getting under way in the early afternoon, and rumors were running wild through the convention hall. Franken, the longtime frontrunner for the endorsement, hit bumps in recent weeks after some leading state Democrats criticized the material from his previous life as a comedian.

In addressing the controversy during his speech, Franken said he'd "had some tough conversations this week." At least one paid off; on Saturday morning, the DFL Feminist Caucus endorsed his bid.

The leader of the Feminist Caucus, Jackie Stevenson, said the group screened both candidates and that the caucus board voted 72 percent in favor of endorsing Franken.

Stevenson said the group was impressed with Franken's direct answers on issues critical to members, including domestic violence. She said Nelson-Pallmeyer had been more vague. Stevenson said the group was willing to look past salacious material from Franken's past that some have criticized as degrading to women.

"At the time he didn't realize how it would affect him later in life," Stevenson said. "He wouldn't do it again today."

Despite speculation of a late entrant into the endorsement stakes, Franken and Nelson-Pallmeyer were the only two candidates nominated.
Still, there were some people willing to leave town without choosing a candidate.

Zach Pokornowski, a first-time delegate from Cokato, had a "No Endorsement" sticker on his shirt.

"I can't personally support either of them. I want the rest of the state to decide," the 25-year-old engineer said, referring to a September primary to determine the party nominee. "I worry when it comes to Republicans the moral values of Al will be attacked. And then I worry that Jack's viewed as being too liberal."

Congressman Keith Ellison, who had been neutral, walked around the convention floor wearing a "Jack" button. He said it wasn't a statement against Franken, whose writings and comments about sex Ellison has deemed inappropriate.

"I'm not perfect. Nobody's perfect. My point is there is no perfect candidate," Ellison said. "My support of Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is on the issues."

During a later question-and-answer session, Nelson-Pallmeyer brushed aside the suggestion that he'd be less effective against Coleman because Franken has proven himself to be the superior fundraiser. Nelson-Pallmeyer said he could raise the funds needed to be competitive and said his fundraising has improved as his message has spread wider.

"You don't need the most money," Nelson-Pallmeyer said. "You need the right candidate with the right message."

During one lull in the convention, Franken headed straight to the Lake County delegation, where he spent five minutes talking one-on-one with a man in a Nelson-Pallmeyer shirt. The delegate, who wouldn't give his name, said he was open to conversion but would wait to see how early balloting went.

Balloting was scheduled to get under way in the early afternoon.

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