Al Franken: Maybe Santa Is Jewish?

[DonViejo]

CATHERINE THOMPSON – DECEMBER 18, 2013, 9:27 AM EST

If a Jewish senator can turn a "Secret Santa" gift exchange into a tradition for his colleagues, why can't Santa be Jewish? That's Sen. Al Franken's (D-MN) take on the whole "Santa is white" debate.

"You know, there's been a lot of controversy about the ethnicity of Santa lately," the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian said Wednesday on NPR's "Morning Edition." "Maybe, you know, he's Jewish."

Senate lawmakers on Tuesday night celebrated a third year of their gift exchange, which Franken came up with to bring colleagues from both sides of the aisle together for the holidays.

Among this year's quirky gifts were presidential Pez dispensers, buffalo jerky, and an elephant statue carved from coal. That last one was a present from West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Listen below, courtesy of NPR (at link, below

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/al-franken-maybe-santa-is-jewish-audio

[Scuba]

1. An elephant statue carved from coal. Perfect!