New TV Ad Calls on MN Gov. Pawlenty to Do His Legal Duty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 30, 2009
New TV Ad from Americans United for Change Calls on Governor Pawlenty to Do His Legal Duty and Certify the U.S. Senate Election Results Should Al Franken Be Declared the Winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court
Will Pawlenty act in the best interests of the people of Minnesota that urgently need full representation in the U.S. Senate -- or his own national political ambitions?
Click Here to View "The Choice": www.americansunitedforchange.org/thechoice
St. Paul, MN -- Americans United for Change was joined by Alliance for a Better Minnesota and the MN AFL-CIO today to unveil a new television ad urging Governor Tim Pawlenty to do his legal duty and certify the U.S. Senate election results should Al Franken be declared the winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The ad called "The Choice" spotlights the national Republican Party's dogged efforts to stand in the way of Minnesota's urgently needed and rightful representation in the U.S. Senate and asks Governor Pawlenty if he will act in the best interests of the people of Minnesota - or his own national political ambitions. See script below for "The Choice" which will air on cable television in the Twin Cities and Rochester media markets starting Friday thru next week.
A recent poll from the Alliance for a Better Minnesota found that nearly six in 10 (59%) of Minnesotans believe that Norm Coleman should concede to Al Franken. The poll also shows that 64 percent of Minnesotans would have "serious doubts" about Tim Pawlenty if he were to refuse to sign a certificate of election -- as he is legally required -- if the Minnesota Supreme Court declares Al Franken the winner in the U.S. Senate.
Donald McFarland, Minnesota State Director, Americans United for Change: "During these extraordinarily difficult economic times that are each day leaving more Minnesotans without jobs, homes and health care, we can not afford to be without full representation in Congress a day longer. But while the vast majority of Minnesotans agree it is time to move on, that the recount in the election between Norm Coleman and Al Franken has been conducted fairly and impartially from the start, and that Coleman should now concede the election -- the real choice is for Governor Pawlenty. The Governor, who has exhibited clear ambition for higher office, is under an incredible amount of pressure from national Republicans to deny Minnesotans their rightful and urgently needed representation in the Senate for as long as possible, even "years." When the time likely comes in June, Governor Pawlenty will have a clear choice: will he do his legal duty and act in the best interests of Minnesota by certifying Al Franken as our U.S. Senator - or will he act in the interest of his personal political ambitions?"
Steve Hunter, Secretary-Treasurer of the MN AFL-CIO: "It's time for MN to be fully represented in the U.S. Senate. With the critically important decisions being made in Washington, MN workers need two Senators and the time has come for the Governor to put his personal ambitions aside."
Joe Davis, Deputy Director-Alliance for a Better Minnesota: "The results from the poll are clear, an overwhelming majority of Minnesotans want Tim Pawlenty to fulfill his legal obligations and sign the election certificate for Al Franken, should the MN Supreme Court uphold every other decision, and stop trying to score points with national Republican leaders."
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| "The Choice" Ad Back-Up Americans United For Change TV (:30)
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SCRIPT | FACTS |
| ANNCR: Most Minnesotans - including Republicans - believe that once the Minnesota Supreme Court rules - it will be time for Governor Pawlenty to do his legal duty and certify Al Franken as our senator.
CG: Star-Tribune: Minnesota Poll: Most want Coleman to call it quits Pioneer Press: Two polls show majority want Coleman to concede KAAL: Nearly Six Out of Ten Say Coleman Should Concede
| A Majority of Minnesotans Think Pawlenty Should Certify the Election After the Supreme Court Ruling. "A clear majority (58%) believe that failure to certify Franken after the Minnesota Supreme Court rules raises at least "somewhat serious doubts" about Tim Pawlenty. This number grows to 64% when voters are told that the governor is legally required to sign an election certificate. In fact, even four in 10 (40%) self-identified Republicans say they would have "serious doubts" with their Republican Governor should he fail to sign an election certificate after the Minnesota Supreme Court rules." [Alliance for a Better Minnesota Poll, April 22-25] Star-Tribune: Minnesota Poll: Most want Coleman to call it quits [April 27, 2009] Pioneer Press: Two polls show majority want Coleman to concede [April 26, 2009] KAAL: Nearly Six Out of Ten Say Coleman Should Concede [April 27, 2009]
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| ANNCR: But the national Republican donors don't want Minnesota to have its rightful Representation in the Senate.
CG: National Republican Senatorial Committee
| Top Business Lobbyists Vow To Raise Big Bucks For Coleman Appeal: "A group of several dozen of the most influential business lobbyists in Washington is vowing to raise and spend whatever it takes to bankroll Norm Coleman's upcoming appeal fight... The group of lobbyists, which calls itself "Team Coleman," is made up of some of the biggest players in D.C.'s permanent lobbying establishment, and includes executives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Restaurant Association and others." [Greg Sargent, Plume Line, 4/15/09] National Republicans Give to Coleman. "Coleman donor notables include Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas, who both gave $5,000 via their political action committees." [MinnPost, 4/16/09]
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| ANNCR: The Republican Campaign Chairman, Texas Senator Cornyn, said Norm Coleman's court challenges could take "years" to resolve. CG: Texas Senator John Cornyn: Minnesota Senate fight could take "YEARS"
| Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee John Cornyn "acknowledges that a federal challenge to November's elections could take "years" to resolve." [Politico, 3/30/09] |
| ANNCR: Now Governor Pawlenty has a choice. Will he act in the best interest Minnesota or his own national political ambitions? CG: Call Governor Pawlenty Paid for by Americans United For Change.
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