New Ad on Behalf of Coleman Full of Lies

Press Release

In 2002, a shadowy Republican front group spent one million dollars on behalf of Norm Coleman, attacking Paul Wellstone. The group, Americans for Job Security (AJS), has now entered this year's Minnesota Senate with a new false ad about Al Franken's stances.

The ad's script, and a debunking of its lies are below:

SCRIPT: These are serious times that call for serious leadership on the issues important to Minnesota's families - Minnesotans are struggling - job creation is slow and the economy is weak and Al Franken's economic plan - it reads like a bad joke. Franken says that we need to invest in America again but he'd eliminate tax deductible IRA savings accounts, which allow hardworking Minnesotans to save tax free for retirement and college. Franken says he favors higher taxes on Social Security, small business and gasoline - he even said of his plan to increase gas taxes I don't think people would notice it that much. Yeah sure, Al. It might be the folks who don't pay their taxes wouldn't notice the hike but regular folks sure would. Call Al Franken at 612-344-2008 and tell him on the issue of higher taxes - you'll notice. Paid for by Americans for Job Security and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. www.savejobs.org. Americans for Job Security is responsible for the content of this advertisement.

CLAIM: Franken Would "Eliminate Tax Deductible IRA Savings Accounts, Which Allow Hardworking Minnesotans To Save Tax Free For Retirement And College."

FACT: Franken Wants To Improve Retirement Security By Creating A Simple, Universal, Portable And Generous Mechanism For Workers To Save. According to his campaign website, because there are "fundamental flaws" in the current retirement savings system, "Al Franken will propose a new account, called a 401(U), to address each of these flaws." According to the Star Tribune, "Franken promoted what he dubbed ‘401U's,' a variant on 401(k)s that would stay with workers from job to job and could be used for retirement, education expenses or purchase of a first home." [Al Franken for Senate Website, The 401(u); Star Tribune, 7/22/08]

CLAIM: Franken Has A "Plan To Increase Gas Taxes."

FACT: Franken DOES NOT Have A Plan To Increase Gas Taxes.

Franken: "We Can't Afford To Raise The Federal Gas Tax." According to Franken's website, "We can't afford to raise the federal gas tax. Last year, in the wake of the 35W bridge collapse, I said that I wouldn't take a small increase in the federal gas tax off the table if it would help to pay for needed infrastructure improvements. But that was when gas cost around $2.70 a gallon. Since then, it's increased by nearly 50%, and Minnesotans are feeling the squeeze. So we need to take that option off the table and find another way to fund our infrastructure: I'll vote against any increase in the federal gas tax." [Al Franken for Senate Website, Gas Prices]

Franken On Increasing The Gas Tax: "I've Completely Taken It Off The Table." In July 2008, the Star Tribune wrote, "Franken also said that, given the historic increase in gas prices, he no longer thinks lawmakers should consider raising the gas tax. ‘I said I would put it on the table only as a last resort, because we had fallen behind in infrastructure,' he said. ‘Now, I've completely taken it off the table, because gas is $4 a gallon and people are hurting.'" [Star Tribune, 7/3/08]

Franken Took A Gas Tax Increase "Off The Table." In July 2008, the Pioneer Press reported, "Franken, who has been running for the Senate since February 2007, also has responded to high gas prices with a policy change of his own. Last year, he said he would be open to a federal gas tax increase to pay for infrastructure improvements. More recently, he said he would vote against such an increase because prices are so high. ‘Because gas is at $4 a gallon and rising, I'm taking it off the table,' Franken said." [Pioneer Press, 7/2/08]

Franken: "I Am Against Increasing The Federal Gas Tax." In August 2008, Franken said at the FarmFest debate, "Before I start, I am against increasing the federal gas tax. Norm Coleman knows that, I am surprised he said that." [FarmFest Debate, 8/5/08]

Franken: "I Want To Find Another Way To Pay For Infrastructure." In July 2008, Franken told Minnesota Public Radio, "I really don't like gas taxes in this sense, that they are regressive. Everyone has to drive, practically everybody has to, and in certain places everybody just has to. I don't like gas taxes, but I also don't like bridges collapsing and I don't want to have to make a choice between them. So I want to find another way to pay for infrastructure." [Minnesota Public Radio, Midday 7/3/08]

FLASHBACK: Americans For Job Security Spent More Than $1 Million On "Laughable" Attack Ads To Help Elect Norm Coleman In 2002.

Americans For Jobs Security Spent Over $1 Million On Anti-Wellstone Ads. In 2002, the Star Tribune reported, "Americans for Job Security, a Virginia-based group that is spending more than $1 million on ads attacking Sen. Paul Wellstone, is not required to disclose the source of its money because it is organized as a nonpolitical trade association. Yet the group engages in few activities of other trade organizations. Its main activity is running election-year ads in states that have close races." [Star Tribune, 10/24/02]

University Of Minnesota Advertising Analyst: AJS Ad Attacking Wellstone "Almost Laughable." In 2002 Minnesota Public Radio reported, "A group called Americans for Job Security is running a 60-second radio ad criticizing what it portrays as Wellstone's position on the estate tax. ‘Wife: Senator Wellstone just voted to keep the death tax. Husband: Paul Wellstone actually voted to tax people because they died? Wife: What's going to happen? Husband: We're going to have to sell the farm. Wife: No, Lloyd, we're going to call Paul Wellstone and tell him our folks paid their fair share. And to keep his money-grubbing hands off our farm,' the ad says. Ad analyst Ron Faber, a communications professor at the University of Minnesota, says the ad is almost laughable." [Minnesota Public Radio, 6/21/02 (emphasis added)]

Coleman Refused To Call On Americans For Job Security To Disclose Its Donors. According to the Star Tribune, "[American For Jobs Security President Michael] Dubke is unapologetic about the group's refusal to disclose its donors, saying the decision is legal and is common among issue advocacy groups. Coleman campaign manager Ben Whitney said Tuesday that Coleman would not be contacting Dubke's group or asking it to disclose its donors." [Star Tribune, 10/23/02]

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