Advertisement
Coleman implored fellow federal lawmakers to expand offshore oil drilling, while Franken charged Coleman with supporting tax breaks that encourage companies like TRW Automotive to export manufacturing jobs.
 |
DFL Senate candidate, Al Franken, right, talks with Jane Cowgill on Thursday afternoon at Jefferson Pub & Grill in Winona. Franken spoke to more than 50 supporters during his campaign stop. (Photo by Fred Schulze/Winona Daily News) |
Coleman — speaking at Blooming Grounds Coffee House — said offshore drilling should be part of a larger energy solution that would include more renewable fuels and nuclear power plants. Coleman said he hopes to team with Democratic lawmakers to increase domestic petroleum supplies by opening parts of America’s outer continental shelf to drilling.
“We have the greatness and the capacity in this country to tap into our resources,” Coleman said. “Why aren’t we doing it?”
At Jefferson’s Pub and Grill, Franken was introduced by Ben Hovell, a union representative for at least 80 employees that are being laid off from Winona’s TRW Automotive plant. Franken, who later met with some of the laid-off employees, charged Coleman with supporting tax breaks that reward corporations for moving jobs abroad.
“We’ve seen the results this week, and we saw it in Rushford in 2006,” Franken said, referring to the closing of TRW’s Rushford facility.
Coleman later responded that he is working with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., and Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., to secure federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for the laid-off TRW workers.
“Al complains; I act,” Coleman said.
Franken began by praising Winona’s scenic beauty with an anecdote that had supporters in stitches. The second portion of his remarks, which Franken read from a lectern, promoted a trio of proposals he said would help middle-class Americans. The plans would create tax credits for families caring for children or elderly loved ones, increase paid leave for workers and establish new retirement accounts similar to a 401(k), but with government matching the savings instead of private employers.
“Minnesotans are dreaming less and worrying more,” Franken said.
Bryon Pavelka of Winona said he was impressed with Coleman after speaking briefly with Coleman. Pavelka also said he wasn’t swayed by Franken’s attempts to link Coleman to President Bush, whose approval rating has sunk below 30 percent in most polls.
“I don’t vote for people based on their connections to other people,” Pavelka said.
Contact Mark Sommerhauser at (507) 453-3514 or msommerhauser@winonadailynews.com.
