Another (perhaps dissenting) perspective on Al Franken

[steve2470]

I know Al Franken has made himself unpopular here by some of his positions and behavior. I certainly don't agree with everything he says. However, I think his style and overall orientation lends itself to the overall progressive cause. He constantly refutes Insannity and Limpbaugh and usually speaks in a calm, rational tone. Yeah, his shticks sometimes fall flat but oh well. If I was a fence sitter or Republican (not a delusional neocon sort), I'd rather start out listening to someone like him (tiptoeing into the pool) rather than Malloy (jumping in the deep end, but I really really like Malloy). Just my $0.02, FWIW.

[jean]

1. turns out he was right on the money about the Naral ad - I

spoke up yesterday and said the ad looked great to me, without having a clue. I watched Franken on Sundance last night and saw that he researched it in depth and proved that Naral was totally mistaken in the way they portrayed the issue.

Franken is nothing if not thorough.

[splat@14]

2. I think he's a much better writer than a broadcast personality.IMO

[MattSWin]

3. How dare you...

You must be a right-wing Freeper since you're unwilling to criticize Franken for even considering not being a far leftist :eyes:

[steve2470]

5. yeah that's me. Same guy who's voted Dem for 29 years 100%

:-)

[bluestateguy]

4. I also do not think beating up on him is useful

Why not represent all wings of the party on the network, incuding the DLC? Also, in some cities he either beats Limbaugh or runs competitively with him. Why would anyone want to attack AA's best rated talkshow host?

[K-W]

6. Dont be fooled, he is very popular on DU.

Remember certain kinds of threads attract certain kinds of people.

[NC_Nurse]

7. I agree

For what it's worth.

Does someone have to agree on every issue to be deserving of respect for their contribution to the cause?

BTW, the Daily show also debunked the NARAL ad last night. I guess they suck too. :eyes:

[Strelnikov_]

8. People Have To Realize That Franken's Show

is designed along the lines of NPR, but with a liberal bent. He trys to present both sides of an issue, if the other side has merit.

Malloy and Rhodes show's are more like traditional AM talk radio. The host's opinions/views are featured.

[bluestateguy]

9. Good point

AA would be very boring if all shows were like Malloy's.

[Strelnikov_]

11. Don't Get Me Wrong. I Am Really Getting To Be A Fan Of Malloy

But, as you imply, variety is the spice of life.

As Crassus said to Antoninus "My taste includes both snails and oysters."

I like Rhodes, but I get tired of the sharky comments about Franken and others.

[stray cat]

10. Al Franken is great as he exposes alot of right wing lies

[Imalittleteapot]

12. Kick for agreeing with all of the above posts. n/t

[laststeamtrain]

13. Consider the premise that each of the AAR host-people have a niche

...Mark and Marc are doing a morning show. They're competing with all the various zoos, Stern, Imus, etc.
Springer is inviting for all his former viewers who may have tuned in because of his TV show.
Franken is establishment Democrat w/ an old-school comic flourish. He's fine. I like him.
Randi is fiery but well researched. I like her best when she has a definite topic, less so when she doesn't.
I like Jeannine and Sam off and on. Usually I'm listening to Free Speech radio, Democracy Now and Flash Points, anyway. (
Here's where I invite the flames. I don't like Malloy. How long has it been since he's really prepared a show? I think his 'agro' act for the kids is boring. He's not for me. Lacks substance I think. But, hey, there's something for everyone, Right? It's called BROADcasting for a reason.
I wish my favorite left broadcaster, Bernie Ward, was on late night on AAR.
The end. Flame on. Or not.

[dissent1977]

14. I agree with you

I don't agree with Al Franken quite often, but he is really good at pointing out the lies of the right-wing. He certainly is not everything I would like him to be, but he at least has some courage to stand up to the liars.

I would be much closer to Malloy and Randi Rhodes ideologically, but they are both too shrill for me. Their screaming at callers turns me off. I think my favorite is actuall Sam Seder and Janeane Garofolo on the Majority Report. I hear a lot of bad things said about them, but I love their show. They have a lot of good things to say, and they are able to express their leftist views without turning it into a screaming match. That is what we need more of, intellegent leftist viewpoints that people are not going to be turned off from. I just wish they would give someone like Howard Zinn his own show.