The latest live-call poll conducted for Minnesota Public Radio and the Humphrey Institute shows Al Franken making headway in his challenge to Norm Coleman for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Paul Wellstone. Of the 763 Minnesota voters phoned during the period August 7 – 17, 2008, 41% said they would vote for Franken, compared to 40% who favored Coleman, 8% who said they planned to vote for Independence party candidate Dean Barkley and 11% who were as yet undecided.

Considering that Coleman is the incumbent, this is good news for Franken whose campaign continues to forge ahead steadily. Larry Jacobs, a political scientist at the University of Minnesota who directed the poll, said “the broader political environment is very challenging to Coleman.” 

At a recent fundraiser for senate districts 47, 48, 49 and 51, Franni Franken reminded voters that polls provide snapshots, and the Franken v. Coleman race is neck-and-neck…which is where the voters come in. She also said:

“Obama needs 60 senators to bring about change [and] we need Al in the senate to work with Amy Klobuchar and retore Minnesota to the powerhouse it has been…and we will see Minnesota come to the forefront and be a leader of the nation as we were during the time of Hubert Humphrey.”