July 7, 2009 2:24 PM
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Washington Unplugged: What Franken Means for the Senate
Former Saturday Night Live star Al Franken was sworn into the Senate today after months of court battles against the incumbent Norm Coleman. CBS News Capitol Hill Correspondent Nancy Cordes talked to Minnesota's senior senator Amy Klobuchar and Politico's congressional reporter Manu Raju about what Franken's election means for Minnesota and the future of Senate legislation on the latest episode of Washington Unplugged.
Klobuchar says that, although Franken's win grants Senate Democrats the fabled 60 vote majority, it won't guarantee that all legislation will be pushed through the Senate.
"Our members aren't always locked in," Klobuchar says. "The issue will be what is important to this country."
Whether it's health care reform or promoting alternative energy sources, Klobuchar says her constituents just want "Congress to get things done." She says they are "tired of having unaffordable health care."
Referencing Franken's former career, the senator says that Minnesota elected him not because of his comedy, but because of his politics. According to Klobuchar, her state has "gotten used to" the fact that Franken knows the issues and that he is smart.
Politico's Raju also states that the public shouldn't expect the same Franken that they saw on SNL. Like Hillary Clinton's senate career, he says, Franken will take the "workhorse" routine instead of acting as a "showhorse."
"He's trying to put his head down and work," Raju says. "He's trying not to be a celebrity."
Raju agrees with Klobuchar that the 60 vote majority doesn't guarantee anything in the Senate.
"Despite the number and the supermajority - not seen since the Carter administration – it's not going to be a slam dunk in the coming months," he says.
Watch the full episode of Washington Unplugged in the above video.
Klobuchar says that, although Franken's win grants Senate Democrats the fabled 60 vote majority, it won't guarantee that all legislation will be pushed through the Senate.
"Our members aren't always locked in," Klobuchar says. "The issue will be what is important to this country."
Whether it's health care reform or promoting alternative energy sources, Klobuchar says her constituents just want "Congress to get things done." She says they are "tired of having unaffordable health care."
Referencing Franken's former career, the senator says that Minnesota elected him not because of his comedy, but because of his politics. According to Klobuchar, her state has "gotten used to" the fact that Franken knows the issues and that he is smart.
Politico's Raju also states that the public shouldn't expect the same Franken that they saw on SNL. Like Hillary Clinton's senate career, he says, Franken will take the "workhorse" routine instead of acting as a "showhorse."
"He's trying to put his head down and work," Raju says. "He's trying not to be a celebrity."
Raju agrees with Klobuchar that the 60 vote majority doesn't guarantee anything in the Senate.
"Despite the number and the supermajority - not seen since the Carter administration – it's not going to be a slam dunk in the coming months," he says.
Watch the full episode of Washington Unplugged in the above video.
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