Official: Al Franken To Run For Senate

Comedian Will Run As A Democrat In Minnesota, Senior Democratic Official Says

(CBS/AP)  Comedian Al Franken has decided to run for U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2008, a senior Democratic official from Minnesota said Wednesday.

Franken told the official, who did not want to be identified because Franken has not made an announcement, that he had decided to run in a recent conversation.

"He told me he was running," said the official.

Andy Barr, the political director of Franken's Midwest Values Political Action Committee, declined to comment.

Franken has been the longtime headline personality at liberal radio network Air America. The bankrupt network said Monday that is has reached a deal to be sold and that Franken's last show would be Feb. 14.

The news that Franken has decided to run for the Senate was not unexpected. Franken has been calling members of the Minnesota congressional delegation to get their input on a run, and he announced this week that he would be leaving his show on Air America Radio on Feb. 14. He told listeners he would be making a decision on a race soon.

In a swiftly issued statement, Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey said he was confident Minnesotans "will reject Franken's divisive, scorched earth attacks."

Should he win the Democratic primary in Minnesota, Franken would take on Republican Norm Coleman, a first-term senator who is among the Democrats' top targets. Coleman declined to comment Wednesday.

Franken, 55, was born in New York City, like Coleman, but grew up in St. Louis Park, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis. He made his fame as a star and writer on "Saturday Night Live."

His PAC raised nearly $1 million last year.

[ressigmann]

Yeah just mabye he quit Air(heads) America because it was bankrupt, even after it repeatedly claimed it was not. My favorite Al Franken moment was when he held a press conference to state that after due deliberation he could not support President Bush. Apparently he failed to realize that everyone already knew he would not support President Bush, so what he felt the need to hold a press conference for was beyond me.

[teeus]

Dang. That would be pie HOLE. My bad.

[teeus]

'Can't keep a job at "Air America" '

Oh, shut your pie wole. It's obvious that he quit Air America SO HE CAN RUN FOR SENATE. Running for senate is truly not a default job for the out of work.

[bm6005]

Go Al!! Can't be any worse than the pro's in the Repub party.

[gunnerv1]

These are not the droids your looking for.

[gunnerv1]

Can't keep a job at "Air America" now he'll try to suck at the Governments Teat, also for life time benifits paid be guess who, you and me, the good 'ol trusty taxpayer.

[teeus]

"Franken is another example of the fringe's attempt to take control of the Democratic party."

More sound-bite info. You have no idea what Franken's position on any issue might be--except for the fact that he hates Coulter and Hannity et al and calls them on their c r a p.

But for you guys on the neocon side of things, that's enough, right?

[randalds]

MN can have him. That state is a big joke (but not a very fuuny one.) This would make MN and Frankin go together like peas and carrots.

Sincerely,

F. Gump (D-AL)
Posted by bigwhtpony at 04:24 PM : Feb 01, 2007

It will also add another Senator on the democratic Majority side too. MMMMmmmmmmm, being the ruling party feels good! Can't wait until 2008 and we get a super majority!

[bigwhtpony]

MN can have him. That state is a big joke (but not a very fuuny one.) This would make MN and Frankin go together like peas and carrots.

Sincerely,

F. Gump (D-AL)

[randalds]

What ever happened to the old Democrat concept of "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what YOU can do for your country"??

..........


Posted by processor2 at 01:32 PM : Feb 01, 2007

It was changed by neocons who say "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do TO your country!"

The old version is still strongly in force on the democratic side of the aisle.

[processor2]

Al Franken!!! For the good of this country and the Democrat Party,I hope that this is a joke. The last thing the Democrat party needs is another Socialist/Marxist/Leninist in its midst.

What ever happened to the old Democrat concept of "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what YOU can do for your country"??

..........

[randalds]

Posted by jmagarotz at 12:49 PM : Feb 01, 2007

Keep laughing, but remember they elected Jesse Ventura as governor and they're the only state in the mid-west as liberal as NY, CA or even MA. They are a truly progressive state.

[randalds]

Read Franken's book: Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.

Posted by clemenhagen1 at 12:36 PM : Feb 01, 2007

Excellent book! Should be required reading in every civics and/or political science class throughout the public school system!

[jmagarotz]

Al Franken,,,,,Senator,,,,,,from Minnesota!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

[clemenhagen1]

JaneM: Since you profess to be such an avid consumer of information, in the true spirit of sharing I give you a solid recommendation. Read Franken's book: Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. Despite what you might have heard, the book uses detailed facts to illustrate the techniques used by O'Reilly and FOX. Franken assembled a team of college students to research what appeared as news. They debunked, with factual evidence lie and mistruth after lie and mistruth. But you have to go out on a limb and actually read it before you could truly understand. Read Franken's book, watched the documentary OUTFOXED with an open mind, and you will truly come away from the experience with an enlightened perspective. If you have a conscience you would take me up on the offer.

[randalds]

Al is a lot more insightful and intelligent then many people on the right give him credit for. The republican party would be wise to take him seriously as he has an excellent chance of winning and would certainly be a better Senator by far then the Bush as*skisser Norm Coleman is.

[notblue]

It's great the likes of Mr.leftwing himself is running for congress. My parents were life long Democrats but all that changed in the last couple of years. Most citizens want a party representative of the middle, I would even vote for a moderate democrat but sadly they are getting fewer and farther between. Franken is another example of the fringe's attempt to take control of the Democratic party.

[motherjones-2009]

Senator Franken, boy that has a nice ring to it! I listen to Al Franken every day on Air America, which, contrary to conservative thinking, is still on the air, alive and kicking. It took the right 30 years to take over AM radio! Like all other liberal media, liberal radio is tiny and underfunded.It's going to take awhile to get established, but it is gaining a foothold.

Al Franken didn't lose his job, he resigned. Air America is still on the air. His wry, insightful commentary will be missed. Al's going on to bigger and better things--the US Senate. Minnesota is famous for electing unconventional candidates. Remember Jesse Ventura?

[billion2005]

Go Al! Bring some integrity to washington!

[frankly6]

janem4

You always intimate but rarely say anything solid. If you ever have anything solid, please bring it forward. You don't do you? Your posts are information anemic. All smear no facts.