Almanac: At the Capitol

We just got inside Al Franken's "war room" at the DFL State Convention in Rochester. In our interview I told Franken about Doug Grow's story saying Mike Ciresi is "likely" to challenge Franken in a primary. Franken reminded us that Ciresi got out because of lack of support and said he wouldn't challenge the endorsed candidate and Franken added "I hope he keeps his word."

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer told us he is even with Franken on delegates and he thinks the momentum is on his side. Franken responded that that's just not true. Nelson-Pallmeyer begrudgingly admitted that some of his surge may have to do with Franken's troubles, but JNP says it's mostly about his message of hope and talk on the issues like the war and economy. Franken said he'd like to move on to those issues too and says Minnesotans will demand it. But when I asked how people focus on issues and Norm Coleman when Franken is associated with headlines with words like taxes, porn and rape. Franken says he is optimitic the media will move on to the issues, even though his book details how the media perfer to cover scandals because it's easier than issues.

Much more from the candidates and the convention tonight on Almanac.