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Humorous NRSC Ad Features Franken’s Hollywood Critics

It appears that not everyone in Hollywood would vote for comedian Al Franken (D), who is challenging Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.).

A new ad from the National Republican Senatorial Committee independent expenditure arm features a handful of Franken’s show business colleagues urging Minnesotans not to vote for the former “Saturday Night Live” entertainer. Actor John Ratzenberger, most recently of “Dancing with the Stars” fame, opens the 30-second spot, which also features former SNL actress Victoria Jackson, actors Stephen Baldwin and Robert Davi, and singer Pat Boone.

“Hello Minnesota, I’m John Ratzenberger, and we in Hollywood are a bit worried that Al Franken is hurting our reputation,” Ratzenberger says.

“After all, we don’t all write dirty articles for ‘Playboy,’” says Jackson, who is seated in an empty theater.

“We’re not all tantrum-throwing divas,” Baldwin says.

“We believe in low taxes,” Davi says. “But you’ve still got to actually pay them, Al.”

“And we love ice fishing,” says Boone, who then throws a fishing line into a swimming pool.

“So, please, Minnesota, don’t judge us all by Al Franken,” Ratzenberger says.

“Oh, and Go Vikings!” Jackson chimes in.

The Minnesota Senate race remains one of the closest and most unpredictable in the country. Former Sen. Dean Barkley (I), a top aide to former Gov. Jesse Ventura (I), takes almost 20 percent of the vote in some public polls in part because such a negative race has turned voters off of both mainstream candidates.

Coleman recently called for all campaigns and outside groups to cut negative advertisements, an announcement that the Franken campaign said was a farce. The NRSC’s IE arm and Coleman’s campaign are not allowed to coordinate, and so the committee has continued to issue negative advertisements.

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