No Joke: Al Franken's Running For Senate

Comedian Says He'll Seek Democratic Nomination For Seat In Minnesota

(AP)  Comedian Al Franken said Wednesday he will run for U.S. Senate in 2008, confirming his long-suspected plans to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

Franken's announcement came on the final day of his radio show on Air America. The former "Saturday Night Live" performer's celebrity instantly makes him a heavyweight contender and brings national attention to the Minnesota race.

"Minnesotans have a right to be skeptical about whether I'm ready for this challenge and to wonder how seriously I would take the responsibility that I'm asking you to give me," Franken said in a video clip posted on his Web site.

"I want you to know: nothing means more to me than making government work better for the working families of this state, and over the next 20 months I look forward to proving to you that I take these issues seriously," Franken said in a transcript of the clip.

Though Franken has a well-known name and is likely to be well-funded, he's expected to be challenged by several other Democrats, including wealthy trial attorney Mike Ciresi.

His candidacy will also test whether Minnesotans are in the mood for another celebrity-cum-politician, after the 1999-2003 governorship of former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura. Ventura's fame and occasionally outrageous behavior regularly brought national attention to the state — but after a while, he also wore on the patience of many Minnesotans.

"He's serious. He's a comic but he's serious," Stephen Hess, a professor of political science at George Washington University, said of Franken. "He's not doing this as some folks have done it to give them better gigs on the Borscht circuit."

Franken, 55, was born in New York City but grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park. He graduated from Harvard University in 1973, and in 1975 he and writing partner Tom Davis joined the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live" during its first season. They soon started appearing in sketches, and Franken remained a fixture on the show well into the 1990s.

In 1996 Franken took his career in a political direction when he wrote "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations," a broadside against the conservative radio host and other figures on the right. He's since published several other books critical of Republicans and the conservative establishment.

As early as 2003, Franken said he was considering a run for the Minnesota U.S. Senate seat previously held by his friend, the late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone.

In 2004 Franken joined the upstart liberal radio network Air America as its biggest-name host. He soon got more directly involved in politics, forming a political action committee that raised more than $1 million for Democratic candidates in the last election cycle.

In 2005, Franken and his wife, Franni, moved back to the Twin Cities, which was widely interpreted as laying the groundwork for a campaign. He announced a few weeks ago that Wednesday would be his last day on Air America, but continued to play coy about his aspirations while privately telling prominent DFLers about his plans to run.

Franken is stringing out his announcement over two days — Wednesday's announcement, and a scheduled first public appearance as a candidate Thursday morning at a clinic in south Minneapolis.

In his Web site message, Franken acknowledges he's not a "typical politician." But he stresses his Minnesota roots, talking about his father's decision to open a quilting factory in Albert Lea that failed after two years, prompting the family's move to the Twin Cities.

"I grew up in a hard-working middle class family just like many of yours. And as a middle-class kid growing up in Minnesota back then, I felt like the luckiest kid in the world. And I was."

Coleman defeated former Vice President Walter Mondale in 2002, just a few weeks after the plane crash that killed the incumbent Wellstone.

Coleman is viewed as vulnerable after several years of Democratic resurgence in Minnesota and the continued unpopularity of his fellow Republican, President George W. Bush. But his proven skills as a campaigner and adept fundraiser make him a formidable opponent.

Franken has had little good to say about his potential opponent. In his latest book, "The Truth (with jokes)," he criticized Coleman in not-so-flattering terms for his former chairmanship of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

"The subcommittee's chairman, Minnesota Republican Norman Coleman, is one of the administration's leading butt boys," Franken wrote. "He hasn't held a single hearing on postwar corruption."

Hess, the George Washington analyst, said: "Whatever else goes on, Al Franken is going to make it an infinitely more interesting race. And he may even provide a few laughs, and that's not so bad either in the grim days we're facing."

[david1737]

Franken has been doing USO Tours for 20/30 yrs. He really supports the troops!

[david1737]

At least Fraken has some "family values"

[motherjones-2009]

"The last thing the DEMOCRAT Party needs is another bombastic Socialist/Marxist/Lenninist in its midst".
processor2, where do I begin?

First off, Democrat is a noun; Democratic is an adjective. "Democrat Party' is grammatically incorrect and anyone who uses this term exposes themselves as an ignoramus. It's like calling someone a "Jew boy" instead of a "Jewish boy". It's a not too thinly veiled insult. How would you like it if we started calling your kind "Repubs"?

Second, Al Franklin is a liberal Democrat in the noble tradition of Franklin Roosevelt. Anything good that has happened in this country since the last Gilded Age, you have liberals to thank.

[motherjones-2009]

"The last thing the DEMOCRAT Party needs is another bombastic Socialist/Marxist/Lenninist in its midst".
processor2, where do I begin?

First off, Democrat is a noun; Democratic is an adjective. "Democrat Party' is grammatically incorrect and anyone who uses this term exposes themselves as an ignoramus. It's like calling someone a "Jew boy" instead of a "Jewish boy". It's a not too thinly veiled insult. How would you like it if we started calling your kind "Repubs"?

Second, Al Franklin is a liberal Democrat in the noble tradition of Franklin Roosevelt. Anything good that has happened in this country since the last Gilded Age, you have liberals to thank.

[huskerarmy]

"Its called the scientific method, you get the system in place, measure the results, evaluate and then fix."

Funny isn't it that "science" only means something to righties when they're being patronizing dilholes.

[huskerarmy]

"The last thing the Democrat Party needs is another bombastic Socialist/Marxist/Leninist in its midst."

I think it's possible that the reason the right is loosing the battle of public opinion is that, in their comfort, they failed to change tactics or vocabulary. The more relevant, though artificial, reactionary terms for progressives these days would seem to be "aid and comfort to the enemy," "support for the terrorists," etc. If you're not going to update your draconian tactics, at least update your vocabulary. Calling liberals "Leninists" does not resonate in todays environment and just makes one look obsolete.

[huskerarmy]

"I miss the old Democrat Party that used to say "Ask NOT what your country can do for you, but rather, what YOU can do for your country""

The part you seem to miss processor is the "...What you can do for your country." It's the right that tells people "Don't worry about the war. The poor kids will fight it for you. All you need to do is pay for Exxon's record profits, put a ribbon on your car and go shopping." In reality, the neo-cons have been telling america "Ask nothing of your country (Katrina), but rather, what you can do for Exxon Mobil, Halliburton and Pfizer." Americans, those who have been paying attention, are fed up. You can keep waiting for the great "trickle down" from your heros in the mansions on the hill, but you're going to have to get used to it... American's are demanding better government. And that will require some sacrifices from, less subsidies to, your treasured corporate plutocracy.

[karlimhof]

The gravest dangers facing our existance are;

1- an environmental disaster
2- nuclear war

These are preeminent policies needed to protect the Nation.

What has Bush done with regards to ensuring these policies are seriously followed?

The answer is nothing; he has boycotted Kyoto sending a clear signal; and NPT (non-proliferation treaties)has been for practical purposes ignored.

Therefore this president has allowed the most important work facing this country to be put aside and instead has taken us to war on false pretenses.

[dallison7]

Please, run along and go talk to a lib about bush hating..i have actual policy im interested in.
Posted by aa36042

Liberals in this country historically are responsible for EVERY piece of legislation that benefits the citizens. Social security, medicare, civil rights, etc. You want to spread your blather about Bush policy, why do you hide from the truth? Instead of coming onto these sites and trying to present yourself as something more than you are, why don't you get right down to it and show us that you are a superior intellect? You rant on about the thoughts of others then site 'no child left behind' as your only shining example. Maybe you aren't bright enough to know that is just another program that Bush threw out there to pretend he is doing something constructive, like the bogus 'health care reform' he is now talking about. You may be aware of another program that liberals put in place to turn losers and dropouts back into productive citizens... it's called the GED. You should probably take advantage of it.

[dallison7]

LOL

'No child left behind' is just another of Bush's failures.

[coffeehead-2009]

Until ALL schools get tested it is just a joke-
a ruse to divert public funds to private profit.

There is no follow-up - no comparison to what those *ewwww* mantra mantra mantra --
"liberal teachers" fail at. There is no tracking of funds - we could be paying for pastor pilferer's new home or investing money into real estate deals for private "schools"

It's a sham -- I can almost guarantee that those very students shifted from public to private schools would NOT pass a retest after a year.

Just more "privatizing" and one step closer to a ruling class.

Mandatory testing for ALL students proficiency -
mandatory LICENSING for ALL teachers - regardless if they are "christians or not".

[lhwrites]

aa36042, You want to discuss policy?
No Child Left Behind only works if you fund it, which Bush and the Republican Congress did not do. Therefore, almost all of the children were left behind. By the way, Bush has a capital B and "your", as you used it, is spelled "you're". Before you try to tackle the scientific method, try to tackle basic English. Conservatives love to espouse that liberals hate Bush as if he's some kind of victim. It's just that he lied about WMD, spent billions on a war of choice, and is responsible for 10's of thousands of deaths. There's a policy you can really hate.

[processor2]

The last thing the Democrat Party needs is another bombastic Socialist/Marxist/Leninist in its midst.

I miss the old Democrat Party that used to say "Ask NOT what your country can do for you, but rather, what YOU can do for your country"

..............

[aa36042]

taddles
Let me try and give you an example. How about education. Bush gave us no child left behind. Has some holes but at least it is a concerted effort to hold schools, teachers and communities responsible for the product they produce "education". Its called the scientific method, you get the system in place, measure the results, evaluate and then fix. Seems like a good plan right? Too bad in ca libs want to call the system unconstitutional because minority students arnt passing the ridicously easy exit exam..you see..its the difference between having an idea, and a hatred for ideas in general. All libs do is poke holes in policy or thought, they do not offer anything..except race excuses, *** suits, bureaucracy and the like that makes people like you feel that something is being done. I could give you policy example after policy example and you want to discuss shivo? Please, run along and go talk to a lib about bush hating..i have actual policy im interested in. just look at the people that vote for your joke party..90% of them didn%u2019t even know who 2/9 of the libs running for president was a month before the election. Your uninformed and im wasitng my time.oh well.

[taddles-2009]

"Yes I do feel that way, at least with a republican you can disagree but you generally feel a topic is being discussed in an intelligently dignified way.

Posted by aa36042 at 06:44 PM : Feb 14, 2007"

Of course, the last 7 years with the Republicons in office have been so cordial and full of spirited debate...oh wait, debate would imply both parties involved right...never mind.

Dignified like the Terry Schiavo debacle...yes you Republicons are ever so dignified and intelligent. Present company excepted.

[taddles-2009]

"And then you conservatives will get too greedy again and the pendulum will start its swing back to the right.

And so it goes...
Posted by scott4261 at 06:40 PM : Feb 14, 2007"

Very possible, politics does swing from one extreme to the other. But with any luck the Dem's will be able to return some civility and accountability to government after the unbelievably bad abuse the Republicons have perpetrated.

[taddles-2009]

Another stooge and bozo in more ways than one joining his neo-fascist moveon.org friends.

Posted by Lieberman181 at 06:40 PM : Feb 14, 2007

Liberals aren't neo-fascists but then you'd have to have a few more branches on your family tree to know that.

[aa36042]

nice response. very articulate and you brought up many more good points than me. good one. great talk re: policy..catch you next time. bring up something re: specific policy and off they go...go round up some homeless people and get them to vote for you..maybe them and the 18-22 demographic will pull though for you this time. sad stuff

[scott4261]

...just cater to the lowest common denominator.
Posted by aa36042 at 06:44 PM

Funny. I have felt that way about the Republicans for more than the last decade!

[lieberman181]

So Franken-Stein wants investigations, right?

Well, here's a good one for him.

How about investigating Jimmy Carter on why he was so insistent on propping up the government of Saudi Arabia, one of the most oppressive in the world, yet did a hatchet job on the Shah of Iran when he needed our help. And furthermore, did absolutely nothing when our people were seized outside of one half-a$$ed military op six months after!

Now that Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons to use against us, while our worst ex-President - a Democrat, no doubt - spews Anti-Semitic hate and lies towards Israel, here is a subject Franken-Stein should sink his teeth into - unless, of course he is as gutless in going after fellow Dem crooks, bigots, cowards and perverts as are Botox Nancy and that Cuckolded Shrill Shrew from New York.