Franken seeks advice for possible bid

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON - Comedian Al Franken has reached out to Democratic lawmakers from Minnesota in recent days, seeking advice on a possible Senate run against Republican Sen. Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record) next year.

Franken, a veteran of "Saturday Night Live" and radio show host, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he's called all of the Democrats in the delegation.

"I didn't call Coleman," he deadpanned. "I want to mainly touch base and get advice and counsel on certain issues."

Franken said he's also been reaching out to campaign veterans, pollsters and others to get their advice. While people have been encouraging, Franken said, they've also warned about possible pitfalls.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070117/ap_on_el_se/franken_senate

[stevedeshazer]

1. Senator Franken

I could get used to that!

If a 'professional' wrestler can be elected Governor in Minnesota, I don't see why a liberal comedian couldn't beat Norm Coleman in a Minnesota Senate race.

An action figure governs California and a village drunk is President. Al Franken has money, a brain, name recognition, and a sense of humor.

[Cleita]

5. In that company you mentioned he's overqualified. :)

[scarletwoman]

6. Just wondering, are you a Minnesotan? (nt)

[stevedeshazer]

7. No

My mom was.

I just play like one on the internets.

on edit: She's from Hibbing. Born there. Grandpa was from Duluth. I'm a n Oregonian. :)

[scarletwoman]

11. Good enough. You don't get a vote, then.

I live here and I'm fervently hoping he doesn't run, and so are my friends.

sw

[crikkett]

13. BWAA hahaha

:rofl:

Please, tell me why? I don't like his act anymore but it's just an act. I wonder why you don't think he's a good choice. I mean he's got a whole staff of factcheckers!

(PS I once had a book signed by him - Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot - that was at Keppler's books and before it was cool to hate Rush Limbaugh. I lost it in the divorce.)

[scarletwoman]

15. See my post #4 in this thread. (nt)

[stevedeshazer]

17. It is, after all, the United States Senate

It affects me. I'd like to think I'm entitled to my opinion DESPITE not being an actual Minnesotan.

If it helps, I'll be glad to put myself on ignore for the entire Minnesota forum. Sniff.

There. Happy now?

I hope Norm gets re-elected and sponsors a bill that ships your job overseas, if you have one.

Okay, just kidding. I hope Al sponsors a bill that requires all Minnesotans bereft of a sense of humor to undergo corrective stem-cell treatments.

Sheesh. :eyes:

[scarletwoman]

19. I have plenty of humor. I have Minnesota humor. I am Norwegian.

I have the humor of Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Munch and Roald Amundsen.

I also have the humor of Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Paul Wellstone.

Frankly, if we're going to run a Minnesota-born celebrity candidate, I'd prefer it be Garrison Keillor. Or even better, Jessica Lange. (I met her once, way back before she made it to Hollywood, at the 400 Bar on the West Bank in Minneapolis...)

And even better yet -- Terry Gilliam! (See? How's THAT for humor?)

Anyway, all I'm saying is that Al seems to be a MUCH bigger deal to outside people than to Minnesotans. He's a New Yorker, I honestly don't think he's going to go over that big with the people of Minnesota who are actually going to be voting.

I'd really rather see someone else run on the DFL ticket, if at all possible. Al could do lots of good in lots of other creative ways.

sw

[stevedeshazer]

23. Thanks for a rational response

I'm just some dumb Oregonian who happens to have Finnish and Swedish grandparents. From Minnesota.

No wonder. I am an outsider.

And yes, Al Franken is a New Yorker.

Okay, manifest destiny is complete. We've spanned the continent. :)

Peace and love.

[Canuckistanian]

22. His factcheckers are legendary

I he could bring THEM into Congress and give them some real power....

[TheDonkey]

2. I'd love to see a Senator Franken

would be a very difficult road I'd imagine.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

3. who gets his AAR slot if he runs-Randi or Thom?

Fat Ed Schultz knew this was coming and moved his terrible show up to the 12-3 spot opposite AAR to try to pre-empt the transfer

[Cleita]

8. I think Thom may have first dibs, but also Lawrence O'Donnell

was talking today about doing more shows in the future. I wonder if Al is grooming him as his replacement? I think Randi likes her time slot where it is.

[crikkett]

14. Who else? Rachel Maddow!!

:)

:)

:)

:)

(if she hasn't found something better by then, which she should).

[scarletwoman]

4. As a Minnesotan, I fervently hope he does NOT run. I like him okay, but he's in NO way my idea of

someone I want to represent me. I'd much prefer he put his energy into advocacy, campaign for someone else's Senate run, and throw his weight behind specific issues and not his own ego.

He could do so much good if he would just drop the hairbrained idea of running for office, and use his visibility to promote changes in the national debate outside of the electoral process.

Elections and elected office are but a part of the complex cultural, sociological and political gestalt that requires our attention. Franken could do us a much greater service as an agent of cultural/media activism and progressivism than as a politician, imho.

Should he actually acquire substantial grassroots support for a Senate run, I will take another look. For now, I would really prefer that he find some other avenue for whatever activism and advocacy he wishes to pursue.

sw

[LiberalFighter]

9. My first thought would be for him not to run

Unless those in the Minnesota DFL delegation truly support his candidacy along with county officers in Minnesota.

I don't think personally that the Senate fits Franken's personality. He may regret being a Senator if elected.

[applegrove]

10. He is an intelligent guy. And who better to be a Senator than someone

driven to public service for love of his country. He doesn't have to do this. He's a real trooper. Remember when he used to do the political commentary on Saturday Night Live..all the while drawing a state by state map of the USA to perfection. He loved government then..and obviously has the passion to stick out the tough things..to get the message out. He also converted Ariana Huffington. He'll make a great Jr. Senator. I have no doubt he will win if he tries.

[grytpype]

12. Why?

Seriously, why does he think he can or should be a senator?

[NYCGirl]

18. It's more like WHO. His dear friends Paul & Sheila Wellstone. NT

[BushOut06]

24. What do YOU think the qualifications should be?

Since you seem to think that Al Franken isn't qualified to be a US Senator, maybe you could enlighten the rest of us why exactly he isn't qualified. Furthermore, can you tell us what should be the criteria? Does one have to first serve a specified amount of time in public office before one magically becomes wise enough to serve in Congress?

If someone feels that he or she has good ideas and can contribute to this country, then why shouldn't they run for Congress?

[UTUSN]

16. GO!!!1 N/T

[against all enemies]

20. My question is -Who can beat Coleman? If Al's the best choice,

then let him run. It's a disgrace that Coleman won Wellstone's seat. It must be won back.

[Stevepol]

25. How do you know Coleman won? ES&S scanners counted the votes

and at the time there was no auditing at all as far as I could find when I investigated it a couple years ago.

Mondale had about a 5% lead in polls going into the election. I think Mondale won the election pretty easily actually.

Unless Dems can win by more than 5%, they stand no chances at present. If there are REQUIRED AUDITS and voter verified BALLOTS, that may not be true eventually.

[badgerpup]

21. Saw this one coming a mile off...

Just wonder what took him so long to finally declare.
The guy has a passion and a vision similar to Garrison Keillor's about what good government consists of and how it ought to function.

He's also intelligent, tough, makes sure he knows his material before making a statement. We won't be getting any jaw-droppingly STUPID explanations of things like the 'internets' being a bunch of 'tubes'. :banghead::rofl:

He's not a kiss-ass, not afraid to go head-to-head, and he seems to be lacking 'baggage'. :thumbsup:

I'd vote for him...