Minneapolis / St. Paul Blog

Franken and Nelson-Pallmeyer stuck around to take questions. The latter drew frequent applause by calling for a single-payer health-care system, more stringent enforcement of the country's labor laws, and a rapid end to the Iraq War. He pointed out that the U.S. spends more on the Iraq War in seven minutes than it does annually on aid to Somalia.

Franken offered less red meat for the progressive activists, but did draw hearty cheers during his closing statement. "It isn't enough for Bush to go," he said. "His enablers have to go too--and Norm Coleman is number one on that list."

The informal poll has no binding significance, but it shows that Nelson-Pallmeyer will likely be more than just a liberal nuisance in the DFL-endorsement process. All three candidates have stated that they will abide by the party's endorsement.

TakeAction Minnesota was created in 2005 from the merger of Progressive Minnesota and the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action. The group has already proven to be a formidable grassroots force in city and state elections.