Realizing that the U.S. Congress needs a little humor, Al Franken is set to announce that he will run for the United States Senate seat now held by Norm Coleman.
Sen. Coleman is one of the most vulnerable Republican senators up for re-election in 2008, but I am not sure that Franken is the right person to unseat him. Coleman ran for governor several years ago but lost to Jesse Ventura. Coleman has also belonged to both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Franken has a political PAC, and last year raised over $1 million. He spread it around to some successful Democratic nominees in other states. They will probably come to Minnesota to help him out.
Even if he loses, there should be a lot of laughs in this campaign.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 4)
16. He'll probably win. Minn. is famous for electing nitwits. As I give it more thought, considering the people representing us in Washinton, we all are famous for electing nitwits So I don't suppose it could get any worse. IT SEEMS TO ME ALL POLITICIANS ARE ACTORS AND COMEDIANS. GO FOR IT MINNISOTO. HE PROBABLY WON'T MAKE THINGS ANY BETTER, BUT HE CAN'T MAKE IT ANY WORSE.
SUSAN at 11:20AM on Feb 1st 2007
17. Listening to Al's show for the past 3 years via internet streaming, has been the best listening experience of my life. His packed live shows across the country were great!
Even his 2002 class address to Harvard was superior - google it and have a good laugh.
He is charming and funny in person, extremely intelligent, gracious, and very quick witted.
He packed them in on his book tours here (even in Northern Virginia at a huge Borders on a rainy night with our local Redskins Playing on he had a SRO crowd)
He'll be a great Senator
Michael at 11:58AM on Feb 1st 2007
18. He will be as good as most of the clowns in DC
Art C at 10:10PM on Feb 1st 2007
19. People who remember their history will recall another "stupid, four-eyed neck-tie salesman" who ran for public office by the name of Harry S. Truman.
Ken E. Allen at 12:15PM on Feb 1st 2007
20. It's a great career move for Al since AirAmerica is all but defunct. The Senate can use some humor...unfortunately, he hasn't been funny since the "he only takes tips" joke on SNL (Franken and Davis).
rich at 12:16PM on Feb 1st 2007
21. To Mr. Nelson:
I think you should seriously reconsider nicknaming Al Franken Aljeezera. If you will not, I should hope that you job the likes of Pat Roberson in a hell far worse than anyone could imagine. Do you realize just how offensive you are being. And insensitive to boot?
JoeCooter at 6:36PM on Feb 1st 2007
22. He' s smart, funny, humane, and open-minded.. We need more politicians like him; I'm tired of people who run to make money for themselves and their cronies such as Halliburton, Enron, Blackwater, and the list goes on. Also, Air America did pretty well considering that their message was dangerous to the station owners who ran the programs, such as GE and Rupert Murdoch.
anne m at 6:38PM on Feb 1st 2007
23. Al Franken is a hypocritcal ass. Why is it that people like him have to make the rest of us feel like he and his opinion are the the only right answer or right side. Poor Minnesota and the people of that state, but if you vote him in you will be getting what you ask for!
Pete at 12:27PM on Feb 1st 2007
24. The article is misleading. Franken is NOT right wing. His views are centrist. I can't believe the comments people are leaving here. Listen, folks, don't criticize him - he's on your side (unless you are a right-wing partisan, head-in-the-sand, mega-rich Republican, but those folks have plenty of allies in DC these days)
Tom R at 12:39PM on Feb 1st 2007
25. The key word is "LITTLE"! His like minds, Jane Fonda,Sean Penn and Alec Baldwin will campaign for a man with LITTLE except 15 minutes of celebrity. Oh Hollywood, and ilke bring us what they are against...basically they are against the principles the country was built upon. Incidentally it was through commitment of blood and fortune that the forefathers gave to us, so that AL could spew what he's against. Wow, what a concept! He doesn't want to go to war. Does the American Revolution, Civil War, WWII, have any value to our countries evolution for freedom? Freedom requires bravery, not cowardice and no ideas on how to deal with the enemies of our country. I know, we need to negotiate with the islamist terrorists. Where exactly do we go for that intellectual happening? Let's see caves, mosques where they hope to behead us, and kill all of us infidels, that's where people like Sandy Berger should go to negotiate??? America and our free media warp has destroyed the very fabric of courage and commitment from which our country was born. Minnesota, please don't dump AL on us!!!
joyce at 3:15PM on Feb 1st 2007
26. What kind of school backgraund does th joker have? The actors and comedians all call our elected officials stupid when a lot of them only have a correspondence course in acting. I guess they would fit in anyway and find a new way to take as much from the rest of us they can. Well good luck to him and by the way his comedy is not funny it's stupid!
Jerry Brooks at 12:51PM on Feb 1st 2007
27. Franken is smart, funny, and open-minded. He will be a lot better than politicians who go into it for the money and to help their rich cronies like the owners of Halliburton, Enron, and Blackwater. Also, Air America did pretty well considering that their message was dangerous to the owners of the stations who run their programs, such as Rupert Murdoch and GE. There is no corporate incentive to have Air America survive.
anne mozell at 1:04PM on Feb 1st 2007
28. If Al Franken does run He will not get elected, ut then again I thought the same about Ronald Reagan
Ronald Harris at 6:32PM on Feb 1st 2007
29. Yes, Yes, Yes. His background and education is above the average of the group he would be joining and I've never known a crooked humorist. He will be a breath of fresh air for the Senate. Where can I send a donation to his campaign?
Larry Brock at 1:53PM on Feb 1st 2007
30. he has a hell of a act to follow.bush, and his republican d h.
walter szczepanski at 2:06PM on Feb 1st 2007