Right Wing Ex-Enquirer Columnist Peter Bronson: Has New Gig At Cincy Magazine

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Bronson somehow managed to write a nice thing about a Democrat. Still, the rabid rightwinger mostly drones on and on from his one-note political hymnal -- he has claimed the White House keeps a list of "dangerous conservatives." He admits the newspaper threw him overboard last July. Bronson writes he was a casualty of the lousy economy, but neglects to mention the national flap over a faked photo of Sen. Al Franken that preceded his departure by a few days. In his new gig, Bronson produces a bimonthly column for the city magazine that's aimed at the business and professional class, and there is buzz that he soon may be moving into an editor's spot. Bronson's piece in the current issue is available online and he's offered some (surprise!) praise for Cincinnati's Democratic Mayor Mark Mallory, whose anti-crime efforts he sees as paying dividends:

"Still, I am optimistic.After a peaceful time-out from the daily menu of fast-food headlines, I have a much healthier view of the city. Downtown is more dynamic than it’s been in years. It even shows vital signs of a nightlife. Crime is in check because Mayor Mark Mallory came up with the radical plan to let the police do their job. The bulimic growth of local government has been put on a revenue-starvation diet. And, compared to many cities, we have clean government. For all the partisan thumb wrestling, Cincinnati is just too darned well mannered for corruption. So I’d say Cincinnati is a stock with lots of upside growth potential for one big reason: Its human resources."

Rasmussen On Minnesota Senate: Dem Al Franken Has Real Shot

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Minnesota freshman U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman has less than 50% support, and that means the Republican has a serious challenge on his hands from Al Franken, the comedian-turned-Air America talkshow host who is after Coleman's job.

Coleman holds a 10-point lead over Franken, which is slender for an incumbent seeking reelection. Franken could face opposition in Minnesota's 2008 Democratic primary, but the poll shows he's already competitive against the Republican.

"Generally speaking, incumbents who poll below 50% are potentially vulnerable."

That news today from Rasmussen Reports, a polling organization that said Coleman was up 46% to 36% in its first survey of 500 likely Minnesota voters. Rasmussen conducted the telephone survey March 7 and released the results today. It was encouraging news for Franken, who left Air America last month but has wondered aloud if voters are ready for a comedian. He first came to wide public attention on Saturday Night Live in the show's early years.

Although voters under 30 prefer Franken over Coleman, Rasmussen said Franken has a high unfavorable rating, 46%, which exceeds Coleman's by four points. The results are HERE.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen said the Republican presidential race is all Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. Sen. John McCain (16%) is slumping but remains No. 2 to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (37%), who is padding his lead. Newt Gingrich (11%) is third and Mitt Romney (10%) is on his heels.

Rasmussen said Giuliani beats everyone on the Democratic side in head-to-head matchups. And the polling organization delivered a downbeat assessment about McCain.

"This is the lowest level of support so far for someone who not long ago was presumed to be the front runner for the nomination."

Al Franken: Wonders About Being A Comic In The Senate

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Al Franken, the comic-turned-AirAmerica talker, is thinking about running for the U.S. Senate from Minnesota and today The Associated Press offers more details. The best part of the story is Democrat Franken's line the electorate might not be prepared for the presence of a professional comedian in the Capital.

Al must have been kidding.

Read the story HERE. Some would say there have been more comedians in the Senate than in vaudeville, Hollywood, Broadway and stand-up clubs combined. There is a good Senate joke HERE.