This article is typical of many written by those with no understanding of the race as it is actually occurring in Minnesota. It is not simply a choice between forgiving Franken for a few tasteless jokes or forgiving Coleman for being a typical politician. Remember, this is the state that elected Jesse Ventura over the son of Hubert Humphrey, Skip, and the Current Senator Mr. Coleman. Franken's jokes are not the problem they are his excuse for his failing campaign.

Franken has not lived in Minnesota since he graduated from high school. He left the state and made a life for himself in New York which is completely understandable for an entertainer. The issue is that the only reason he moved back to Minnesota is to run for Senate, period. This fact is emphasized by the fact that less than 20% of his donors are from the state. Not surprisingly Minnesotans are wary of the motivations of a person making an attempt to use them for their own personal agenda. Franken is also surprisingly bad with people or on radio and television, constantly arrogant, dismissive, condescending or at best insincere. Not a good combination when the people you are trying to win over already question your motives.

Franken used his ability to raise huge amounts of money from out of state to win the nomination over a well respected Minnesotan. He hired people to keep them from working on the other candidates campaigns and to ensure loyalty during the convention. The problem for Democrats is that in a state where Obama holds a comfortable lead Franken is the only candidate they could have run and lost against Coleman.

The arrogance of Franken is going to cost the Democrats a seat, not his jokes.