Franken hits Coleman on bailout comments

Posted at 1:32 PM on September 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008

From MPR's Mark Zdechlik:

DFL Senate candidate Al Franken is calling on Republican Senator Norm Coleman to explain comments Coleman reportedly made over the weekend suggesting the proposed financial institution bailout could earn the U.S. money. According to a Sunday Mankato Free Press report, Coleman said:

"The government could make 10 or 20 times what it pays on this, possibly."

In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday morning, Franken said Coleman needs to explain the economics of how the bailout could be a money maker.

"When I talk to Minnesotans I am not hearing a lot of excitement about what a great pay out this investment is going to have," Franken said. "I hear a lot of worry that Washington is taking care of Wall Street but forgetting about Main Street the way it consistently has during the Bush-Coleman ear and frankly I hear a lot of out rage."

Coleman staffers told MPR that the Senator was unavailable to comment on the proposed bailout on Monday and Tuesday morning. Coleman has scheduled a conference call with reporters this afternoon to discuss it.

Comments (1)

The media really seems to be twisting how Americans feel about the bailout and this bill. The media seems to keep repeating that Americans don't want this bill to pass and we don't understand what will happen if it does not pass. That Americans don't understand how the system as a whole will be affected if this bill is not passed. This is not accurate. Most of us Americans are not as ignorant as this current administration and have seen this coming for some time. We are not saying that something should not be done. We are saying that this bill is not right and should not be passed. We want an alternative!!! This bill is insane and really does not involved the average American. We need to come up with a bill that corrects the problems at hand and resolves these issues. The American people need more in return. We need to be helped out. This bill stinks and we need to come up with something better that involves helping out all Americans directly and not just the top of the chain and expect this trickle down effect to work all of the sudden. It hasn't worked what will make it work now? Why are we throwing more wood on a burning fire? Lets let the fire burn out and then build accordingly. We all agree that something needs to be done. But don't let that make us pass this insane bill that is not going to correct the problem or truly help your fellow Americans! Draft a new bill with head economists and have it open for discussion. And by not passing this bill is not what is hurting the market it is the fear that the government that has forced upon this nation that is hurting the market. They are manipulating the market right now with this fear method that they always do to get done what they want. DON'T LET THEM PASS THIS BILL! IT WILL NOT WORK AND IT IS BOGUS. Make congress come up with another option bill that helps out everyone and does not mainly focus on Wall Street and banks. We have to do something but this bill is not the solution and I think everyone knows that. That is why it failed Monday.

Posted by Steven | October 1, 2008 1:10 AM

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