GOP Calls Franken Hypocrite Over 'Big Tobacco' Supporter

Source from:  By Mark Brunswick and Kevin Diaz, Star Tribune September 19, 2007 09/20/2007

Republicans derided him for criticizing Coleman's special-interest fundraising while an R.J. Reynolds heir raises cash for Franken. Franken's campaign says there's a big difference. Republicans criticized DFL Senate candidate Al Franken Tuesday for seeking campaign contributions through an heir to a Big Tobacco fortune, accusing him of hypocrisy for decrying Republican opponent Sen. Norm Coleman's special-interest fundraising. The fundraiser at the Washington, D.C., mansion of Elizabeth Frawley Bagley and Smith Bagley was scheduled to feature songwriter Paul Simon and high-flying co-hosts who include former Clinton administration advisers James Carville and Paul Begala. While the marquee guests were part of the enticement to potential contributors, who were asked to contribute between $1,000 and $4,600, the event wasn't included on the list of Franken's scheduled appearances. Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey pointed to the Bagleys' participation as what he said was an example of Franken's fundraising hypocrisy. While they are longtime contributors to major Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations, Smith Bagley is an heir to the R.J. Reynolds tobacco fortune. Carey said Franken has criticized Republican opponent Norm Coleman's acceptance of special-interest money from the tobacco and oil industries at the same time he is accepting money from the Bagleys, "the very definition of big tobacco." Having it both ways? "[Smith Bagley's] money hasn't come in cattle futures or anything like that. His money is tobacco money," Carey said at a news conference in St. Paul. "[Franken] can't have it both ways. He can't be saying 'I won't take tobacco money and tobacco is evil' and then go to a swank fundraiser in a mansion in Washington, D.C. that is bought and paid for by tobacco money." Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh said there was no special-interest conflict. "If they can't tell the difference between taking industry PAC dollars and a fundraiser at the home of a grandson of someone who started a company, they are willfully missing the point," she said. The Franken campaign also said that Smith Bagley currently has no tobacco holdings and did not attend the fundraiser, even though the invitation lists him as one of the co-hosts. Coleman received $838,000 in political action campaign committee donations through June for the 2007-2008 election cycle. The R.J. Reynolds PAC gave Coleman $2,500, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Franken lists two PACs, including his own Midwest Values PAC, as contributing a total of $10,000 among the $29,000 he received from PAC or other committees, according to the latest FEC filings. Money for Hillary Clinton The Bagleys, McIntosh said, represent no special interest other than as well-known Democratic fundraisers. Elizabeth Bagley, ambassador to Portugal under Bill Clinton, has helped raise more than $100,000 for Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. Smith Bagley serves as president of the Arca Foundation, a philanthropic and advocacy organization founded in 1952 by Nancy Susan Reynolds, whose father founded the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company. "Their special interest seems to be the funding of progressive causes," McIntosh said. McIntosh said the fundraiser was not open to the press. DFL rival Mike Ciresi, who collected millions after winning a landmark lawsuit against the tobacco companies, declined to join in the criticism. "He's running around the country raising money. God bless him," said Ciresi, who was in Washington Tuesday seeking political endorsements. "I don't know anything about Elizabeth and Smith Bagley." Enditem