U.S. Senator Tom Harkin campaigned alongside fellow Democrat Al Franken in Mankato today. The two hosted a roundtable discussion at the Wagon Wheel Cafe where local farmers listened to Franken's agenda for southern Minnesota agriculture. Local farmers also had the opportunity to talk to the politicians about issues that are important to them. Tim Henning says, "I am here today to talk to Senator Harkin about the implementation of the farm bill and some of the other issues that are facing rural Minnesota such as high input costs for farmers." The discussion also focused on investments in rural communities and how to address the energy crisis. Senator Tom Harkin says, "With bio fuels especially and wind energy, we can continue to grow the crops and do the things that are necessary to make us energy independent. "While Franken supports Harkin's ideas about energy, he also says he's devoted to the middle class. Al Franken says, "I've always believed that the middle class is the engine of our economy." After the Mankato stop, Franken headed to the Twin Cities for a rally with Senator Hillary Clinton.