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MORE BIG HYPOCRISY: FRANKEN CLAIMS “HE’LL STAND UP TO SPECIAL INTERESTS”, YET HAS TEXAS FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY LOBBYIST FOR “BIG PHARMA”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 8, 2007
Two weeks ago, Al Franken traveled to Texas to attend another out-of-state fundraiser. Texas was the location for this fundraising event and I posted the press release from the Republican Party of Minnesota titled "Franken's Texas Two Step."
But there was much more to the story.
Team Franken and their candidate Al Franken has spent a considerable amount of time railing against "special interests" and "big pharma" with Franken claiming that he will "tell the special interest they ain't so special anymore":
- On April 12, 2007, Al Franken said in a campaign speech at the University of St. Thomas, "I will go to the Senate and do your work. I will do the work for the common good, not the special interests. I will tell the special interests they ain't so special anymore."
- Additionally, after President Bush attended a fundraiser for Sen. Norm Coleman in Minnesota, Franken criticized the president’s visit and said, "Let's show the special interests that they aren’t so special after all."
Franken also said, "Minnesotans want a senator who’ll stand up to the special interests":
- On his campaign Web site, Franken said, "Norm Coleman just doesn't get it. Minnesotans want a Senator who’ll stand up to the special interests and stand up for working families – not a Senator who’ll stand with George W. Bush."
After railing against "special interests" and "big phrama" since he announced his candidacy in February, Team Franken must have had a change of heart, because Franken's Texas fundraiser was hosted by a lobbyist who's clients include a pharmaceutical and chemical company.
Yes, you read that correctly. The host of Franken Texas fundraiser is a lobbyist who's clients include a pharmaceutical and chemical company.
Here are the details:
- On Oct. 25, 2007, the Dallas Morning News reported, "The comic, actor and commentator [Franken] had two Texas fundraisers – a luncheon event in Dallas and a later gathering for cocktails in Houston. The Houston fundraiser was hosted by 2006 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell. Dallas lawyer Marc Stanley hosted the House of Blues luncheon."
- According to a June 11, 2006 Houston Chronicle article, Chris Bell's full name is R. Christopher Bell.
- According to the Texas Ethics Commission, "R. Christopher Bell" is a registered lobbyist in Texas and identifies Organic Fuels Inc. as Bell’s client.
- On March 19, 2007, Patton Boggs announced in a press release, "Patton Boggs LLP is pleased to announce that former U.S. Congressman Chris Bell (D-TX) has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Mr. Bell will be based in the firm's Dallas office and will counsel clients on a wide range of matters related to public policy and lobbying issues, administrative and regulatory matters, and litigation and dispute resolution cases.”
- According to the United States Senate Office of Public Records, Chris Bell is identified as a federally registered lobbyist for Patton Boggs and listed Solvay North America, LLC and the Port of Galveston as Bell’s two clients in 2007.
Solvay North America, LLC and their parent company Solvay, is the definition of "big pharma" and Bell's lobbying on behalf of them is the exact type of industry Team Franken complains about on a regular basis:
- "This is where most Coleman supporters would point to Franken's Hollywood contributors. Franken is more than prepared to respond. 'A quarter to a third of Norm's money comes from Political Action Committees,' says Franken. 'He's got Big Pharma… Big Oil… Big Insurance… Big Coal… Money that – very often – comes in in $10,000 checks. 'I tell people, 'I've got Big Comedy.'" Source: Huffingtonpost.com, August 18, 2007)
So Team Franken rails against "special interests" and "big pharma" – yet Team Franken raises money at a fundraiser hosted by a lobbyist who's clients include a pharmaceutical and chemical company.
That's called "big" hypocrisy.
Calls placed to a representative of Team Franken were not returned by the time this post was published. Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed throughout the day for more information on this developing story.
Topics: Uncategorized | 16 Comments »
16 Responses to “MORE BIG HYPOCRISY: FRANKEN CLAIMS “HE’LL STAND UP TO SPECIAL INTERESTS”, YET HAS TEXAS FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY LOBBYIST FOR “BIG PHARMA””
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November 8th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Great work once again.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
That is just one event of the hundreds of free and accessible events that Franken has done. I have met him personally and I did not have to pay the $500/plate or $1000/plate that hosts (PACS) for typical politicians charge. You know, like the local fundraisers for Coleman attended by Bush and Cheney. It is a lot easier to get in front of Franken and tell him about your concerns. Attacking a candidate for an isolated fundraiser like this is silly and utter nonsense. It is going to take a lot more substance than that to beat Franken.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
It’s called “big” hypocrisy. Team Franken rails against “special interests” and “big pharma” yet a lobbyists who’s clients include “big pharma” hosts a fundraiser for Franken.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
So, Big Anger takes campaign cash from Big Pharma and Big Tobacco….
I’ve noticed that Al Franken’s fund-raisers are almost all out-of-state.
He says he’ll stand up to “special interests”… yet it seems the only one interested in Big Anger are his special out-of-state contributors.
When will Big Anger stand up for Minnesota interests. And how will Big Anger do so, when he’s bought and paid for by out-of-state interests.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Hey Scott I have met Norm Coleman and I didn’t have to attend a fund raiser. You might want to quit throwing cheapshots! Al being so eager to meet the public must be his explanation for wanting to miss out on debates!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 8th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Chestnut:
Good point.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
“Pay no attetion to the man behind the curtain”.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
This is the story you’ve been holding? Time to play the guilt by association game again, huh?
November 8th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
“guilt by association?”… hardly.
Big Anger says he’ll stand up to special interests, while owing his entire campaign revenue stream to special interests…
That’s saying one thing and doing another. That’s dishonesty.
… of course, he is a Democrat, where one is expected to be a lying, cheating thief.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I’m still trying to figure out what the “big story” of the day is – refried Franken or refried Ritchie. Pls advise.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
So you’re sure Bell wasn’t hosting it because he was a gubernatorial nominee? Do you have any facts that Franken was influenced by “Big Pharma”? Because otherwise it seems like you’re grasping for a game of conect the dots. You should probably save that for study hall. Give us hard facts.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Scott, you can tell Franken (D-Hollywood) about your problems all day long..it doesnt mean he could give a rats ass about them,..or you, Schmuck
November 8th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
This is more great work, MDE.
Please continue to expose Minnesota Democrats — your work in invaluable.
Stay vigilant, MDE.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Oh, schmuck? I’ll have long forgotten that comment when I’m at the dfl victory party next year. I’m surprised monkeys like you can even use a computer. I guess you get lots of practice while you sit around pissing and moaning about having been rejected now that you are in the minority. I wonder how many of you cowards actually get off your fat butts and do any real campaigning. I seriously doubt it.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
So, which is Norm Coleman doing? Admitting he is dirty and beholden to dirty fundraising hosts, or just lying about who hosts his events?
November 9th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Joe, what fund raising hosts are dirty?…Phoenix, enjoy your 18% congressional approval rating