Norm Coleman isn’t the only Minnesota candidate for U.S. Senate to exhibit a mild case of hypocrisy while pressing his case in the media lately. Here’s what Al Franken is quoted as saying in an interview in today’s edition of that national newspaper, the New York Times: ”I’ve been trying to do mainly Minnesota media and turn down requests for national media, especially national TV.” Around the time last night that the Times story appeared online, Franken attorney Marc Elias was being interviewed on national TV — for the second time in a day. Videos after the jump.
Here’s Elias on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” April 14:
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8 Comments »
Comment posted April 15, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
That doesn’t sound like hypocrisy. Franken spoke only about himself, not his lawyers, and these are the first interviews Elias has done other than outside the courtroom to local press. Besides, Franken said “mainly”, not “exclusively”.
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 12:33 am
Hey, folks – you don’t see some pretty important distinctions between “I’ve been trying to do mainly Minnesota media and turn down requests for national media, especially national TV” and “Franken reveals private pledge not to do national media…”
“Mainly” and “especially National TV” seem to me to be kinda significant words in that quote from Franken. Do you think that’s a complicated flurry of legalese or hair-splitting, or something?
If Franken made a pledge not to do national media, if he indeed made the pledge you attribute to him in your hed, would you please provide the specific quote and source it if possible?
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 1:24 am
What nonsense on the part of the “Independent!” Being quoted in the NY Times on the day a national news story breaks about your Senate seat is supposed to be “doing national media?” What’s he supposed to do, tell the media he won’t answer their questions? I can just see your headlines if he did that.
Saying you were trying to keep it local (to MN) is a pledge? After many months of keeping things low key and not appearing in national media, and after many months of former Senator Coleman stalling and splashing all over the media (including attending the courtroom day after day), the judges ruled that Senator Franken should take his seat. That’s a national news story. Of course it’s going to appear in the NY Times. Of course, his attorney will be asked by all the media to do interviews. Notice that Senator Franken didn’t do these national interviews; his attorney spoke to the results of the court case when asked.
What’s with the Minnesota “Independent”? Are you part of Fox news now? The Strib? There’s certainly a right wing bias to your headline and story.
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 1:50 am
For clarity, I’ve added the phrase “in an interview” to this post, to explain how Franken’s quotes got in the New York Times. Those are the words the Times used.
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 5:41 am
Does doing “Letterman” count? And the New York Times is national. I used to get it delivered right on my doorstep when I lived on the West Coast. Of course I cancelled after the trial after realizing what a liberal propoganga rag it is.
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 11:25 am
You make we weep for organized journalism (the kind that understands what words mean).
Comment posted April 16, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
I agree that there is a HUGE disconnect between the headline and the actual story. Franken said “been trying to do mainly Minnesota media.” How do you get a pledge from the word “trying?”
I would expect this type of sloppiness on Minnesota Democrats Exposed, but not here.
Comment posted April 17, 2009 @ 5:56 am
Come on chris blame the editor.
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