Amidst all the
white noise of political trash on both sides, this Al Franken ad jumps
off the screen with a poignancy and effectiveness that makes it arguably the
best ad run by any candidate in any race, anywhere. Here it is -- Al Franken's
wife describing her struggle with alcohol dependency and how her husband stood
by her.
Why do I think it
is so good? In part, it tells me something I didn't know. I didn't know that
Franni Franken, wife of a successful wealthy entertainer engaged in such a
struggle. I didn't know that Franken wrote two movies, "When a
Man Loves a Woman" and "Stuart Saves His Family"
based on her struggle, and that those movies are used in rehabilitation
facilities.
The ad also
addresses a central question many voters have about Franken, his character. In
part because Franken presents at times a prickly persona, and in part because
of a slew of attack ads, I think many voters question whether Al Franken is a
nice guy. They may still have those questions, but this ad goes a long way to
saying this is a guy who cares deeply about those around him and tried to help
others that are suffering.
This ad could have
risked coming off as exploiting Franni Franken's struggle for political gain.
But I think her line, "How could a mother of two fabulous, healthy
children be an alcoholic?" sears through the political rhetoric on all
sides. It is a question that strikes at the core of all our vulnerabilities,
especially of women and of mothers, who strive so to do the best for everyone,
but sometimes succumb to our own demons.
This ad is the best
political ad of the season because it might just help one person see in
themselves the need to get help. And that is more than I can say of any other
ad this muddy campaign year.
