http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Franken_wins_Ben_Steins_money_for_0620.html<snip>
"Al Franken won Ben Stein’s money — and high-dollar contributions from scads of other celebrities in his bid for Minnesota’s Democratic Senate nomination, according to Federal Election Commission reports," Nicole Duran reports for Roll Call. "Stein, who hosted the eponymous Comedy Central game show 'Win Ben Stein’s Money' for six years, gave the former 'Saturday Night Live' writer $1,000."
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At the Radio Equalizer, Brian Mahoney wanted to know what was "behind Ben Stein's bizarre contribution," and points to a "a sharp-eyed blogger" at Fraters Libertas who wrote the longtime Republican to find out why.
The blogger asked Stein "why in the world do you want to stick up poor Minnesotans (and the rest of the country) with a comedian who fancies himself a second coming of secular St. Wellstone?"
"Al is a close friend and one of the smartest people I have ever met," Stein told the blogger.
The Roll Call article notes that "
lmost 40 other celebrities from 'Xena, Warrior Princess' star Lucy Lawless to Larry Hagman — Major Nelson on 'I Dream of Jeannie' and J.R. Ewing on 'Dallas,' stoked Franken’s campaign war chest. Lawless gave Franken $2,000 and Hagman chipped in $500. Franken is competing with wealthy Minneapolis attorney Mike Ciresi (D) for the right to take on Sen. Norm Coleman (R) next year."
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