What Will Pawlenty Choose
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2009
CONTACT: Donald McFarland, 651.308.8098
Minnesotans Unveil Billboard Asking What Governor Pawlenty Will Choose: The People of Minnesota -- or His Own National Political Ambitions?
Billboard Part of Ongoing Campaign Urging 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
http://www.seatoursenator.com/
St. Paul, MN - Scores of Minnesotans gathered at the SE corner of 94 and Snelling Ave. in St. Paul today to unveil a new billboard that asks Governor Tim Pawlenty if he will 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. The billboard is part of an ongoing campaign by Alliance for a Better Minnesota, MN AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 5, Working America, SEIU MN State Council, Americans United for Change and others urging 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.
The billboard follows a recent television ad from Americans United for Change called ‘The Choice' which aired in the Twin Cities and Rochester media markets. In addition, the groups announced a new website - http://www.seatoursenator.com/ - sponsored by Working America that asks concerned Minnesotans to sign a petition urging Gov. Tim Pawlenty to certify the election and give Minnesota its full Senate representation as soon as the Supreme Court rules on the recount.
Petition Text:
As a resident of Minnesota, I am concerned that we be fully represented in the U.S House and Senate, particularly as we take on such critical priorities as rebuilding our economy, making health care more affordable, bringing green jobs to the state and reforming the banking system to protect working families.
Minnesota's current congressional delegation is hurt by the absence of a U.S. senator to represent the interests of our citizens.
A recent poll from 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 national political ambitions?"
David Wehde, Minnesota Director, Working America: "Working America has put together the website, http://www.seatoursenator.com/, so that everyday Minnesotans can sign a petition and tell Governor Pawlenty to certify Al Franken as out U.S. Senator, should the MN Supreme Court rule in Franken's favor."
Mena Tajrishi, Working America Canvasser: "We are talking to people in Minnesota every night and most of them tell us the same thing. They say that the recount has been fair, the MN Supreme Court should be the final arbiter, and that they believe that Al Franken received more votes that Norm Coleman."
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