Rep. McCollum talks about Franken

Just after the DFL Feminist Caucus announced they'd endorsed Al Franken, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN4) stopped by the press area and said she is still concerned about Franken and the distraction some of his past writings on porn and violence against women are posing for Democrats.

"I am just speaking for myself," McCollum said, adding that she was unaware of the feminists' endorsement of Franken.

She said she's very interested in how Franken is going to address these issues in the speech he will give in an hour or so asking DFL delegates for their support. She's looking for Franken to explain what he will do to stop these issues from being a distraction and redirect the focus toward the pressing issues that Democrats should be addressing, such as high gas prices and improving infrastructure like bridges.

"[Franken] has the potential to be a very big distraction," McCollum said. "We should be talking about what we are going to do" about gas prices and building or repairing bridges.

McCollum reiterated what she's said this week, that she finds Franken's writings offensive and unfunny.

She called on Franken to be "forthright" and tell people "how are you going to get beyond talking about" his past.

McCollum also said she is not encouraging former Senate candidate Mike Ciresi to get back into the race.