Campaign video: Franni tells of Franken’s response in ‘bad times’

Aside from the candidate’s voiceover offering the requisite message of approval, a new commercial by Al Franken’s campaign is entirely voiced by Franni, Franken’s wife of nearly 33 years. Over the kind of gentle piano soundtrack reserved for either heart-warmers or confessions, she goes for both, beginning by recalling the couple’s love-at-first-sight meeting at a college dance. But from there it takes a far less storybook turn: Franni recalls the “bad times,” her struggles with alcohol dependency, and how Franken stood by her during her recovery, later writing “two beautiful movies [that are] used in rehabs all across the country.” The ad uses a woman, and a likable one at that, to subtly quell lingering fears about Franken’s past writings and jokes that Norm Coleman’s campaign has called sexist. But, coming out as Congress works to approve a bailout deal to prevent further financial calamity, the ad could also be read as a testament to Franken’s grace under pressure. “He stood by me through thick and thin,” Franni concludes, “so I know he’ll always come through for Minnesotans.”