Campaign ads: Franken’s anti-Washington spot follows Coleman’s

Up to now, Al Franken’s media campaign has played less like a campaign than a series of failed passes at starting a conversation. Franken’s new spot is his most engaging to date, but it’s not exactly a tactical masterstroke.

"No Wonder" highlights the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms and promises that Franken would introduce a bill prohibiting ex-members of Congress from ever becoming lobbyists.

Which, apart from being a pipe dream–the members of Congress would sooner make "Achy Breaky Heart" the new national anthem than impede their own future employment opportunities–is a swell idea. Making no mention of your incumbent opponent when you’re criticizing Washington culture is not such a swell idea, though. And premiering your generic anti-Washington-special-interests ad a couple of weeks after that opponent has already released his own generic anti-Washington-special-interests ad is really not a swell idea.

Franken for Senate: "No Wonder" (:30)