Franken takes "cowardly way" out

Barkley: Pro-Franken Ad Takes 'Cowardly Way Out'
IP Candidate Calls on Franken to Propose a Social Security Solution

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott
ctruscott@senatorbarkley.com

PLYMOUTH—Dean Barkley, the Independence Party candidate for U.S. Senate, released the following statement regarding a Democratic Senate Campaign Committee advertisement on Social Security:

"This DSCC ad exposes that Al Franken and the Washington insiders orchestrating his campaign simply don't have what it takes to ensure that Social Security remains viable for future generations.

"I have suggested solutions, including means-testing for benefits, raising the retirement age, raising the Social Security tax and raising the ceiling on income taxed to provide more revenue into the Social Security trust fund.

"Al Franken, despite a Social Security trust fund filled with IOUs, has repeatedly denied we have a problem. While this kind of head-in-the-sand approach might work for politicians looking to win an election, I refuse to take the cowardly way out. If that means subjecting myself to cheap shots for leading on an important issue, that's a price I'll gladly pay.

"It's time for real solutions. That means, above all else, having the courage to admit there is a problem. Will Al Franken live up to his mantra of change and propose a solution or will he continue to hide behind the same old Washington games that got us into this mess in the first place?"

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Barkley, a 58-year-old Minnesota native, served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning under Gov. Jesse Ventura. In November 2002, Ventura appointed Barkley to fill the final two months of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's term.

The former governor said recently that Barkley is "measured minute by minute … the most effective U.S. senator in Minnesota history."

More information is available online at www.senatorbarkley.com.