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STAR TRIBUNE: “GOP CALLS FRANKEN HYPOCRITE OVER ‘BIG TOBACCO’ SUPPORTER”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | September 19, 2007
"Republicans criticized DFL Senate candidate Al Franken Tuesday for seeking campaign contributions through an heir to a Big Tobacco fortune, accusing him of hypocrisy for decrying Republican opponent Sen. Norm Coleman's special-interest fundraising.
The fundraiser at the Washington, D.C., mansion of Elizabeth Frawley Bagley and Smith Bagley was scheduled to feature songwriter Paul Simon and high-flying co-hosts who include former Clinton administration advisers James Carville and Paul Begala.
While the marquee guests were part of the enticement to potential contributors, who were asked to contribute between $1,000 and $4,600, the event wasn't included on the list of Franken's scheduled appearances. Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey pointed to the Bagleys' participation as what he said was an example of Franken's fundraising hypocrisy.
While they are longtime contributors to major Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations, Smith Bagley is an heir to the R.J. Reynolds tobacco fortune. Carey said Franken has criticized Republican opponent Norm Coleman's acceptance of special-interest money from the tobacco and oil industries at the same time he is accepting money from the Bagleys, 'the very definition of big tobacco.'" Source: Star Tribune, September 19, 2007
Click here for the complete story.
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This press conference was a direct-hit on Al Franken's campaign. I'll have more information today on Smith Bagley on Minnesota Democrats Exposed and Blogs for Norm!.
### This post also appears on Blogs for Norm!, an online community and blog covering the 2008 U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota. The primary goal of Blogs for Norm! is to organize bloggers who support U.S. Senator Norm Coleman.
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