Franken Gets Serious In Latest TV Ad Against Norm Coleman

St. Paul, MN (AHN) - Former "Saturday Night Live" writer and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) nominee Al Franken released a new TV ad on Thursday contrasting his and rival Sen. Norm Coleman's (R-MN) proposals. The spot itself was notable for contrasting sharply with a far less sober ad last month that had a talking fish linking Coleman to indicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK).

"I think Minnesota deserves a senator who stands with Minnesotans for a change," Franken said in his new ad. "I stand for ending the war. Norm Coleman wants to keep it going. I stand for protecting Social Security. He wants to privatize it."

He adds that while he wants to work to make sure the costs of healthcare, college education and gas will be affordable to working families, Coleman has coddled oil and drug companies and special interests.

"If you're ready for a senator who stands with you, I'm asking you to stand with me," he declares.

The 30-second TV spot titled "Stand For" was released on the final day of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, where Coleman spoke to convention delegates about the need for offshore drilling and reducing government's role in the process of accessing healthcare.

The latest statewide poll by the Minnesota Public Radio/Humphrey Institute has the race between Coleman and Franken statistically tied at 40-41 percent.