DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken got a welcome boost on Wednesday with an endorsement from one of the more revered figures in the Democratic Party -- former Vice President Al Gore. Gore, who has become a crusading environmentalist since leaving elective office, sent an e-mail to DFL delegates on Wednesday afternoon that warmly praised Franken, calling him "exactly the breath of fresh air our government needs." Calling Franken one of the party's "hardest working activists," Gore saluted what he said were Franken's "sharp wit and strong convictions." In a nod to the unconventionality of Franken's candidacy, Gore said the...