Senator Al Franken not as farfetched an idea as it seems

[praxiz]

June 20, 2005

BY LAURA WASHINGTON

Al Franken for senator? Egads. What will they think of next? That bespectacled radio comic and best-selling author is beguiling the Minnesota electorate with rumblings that he'll run for the U.S. Senate.

Franken, 54, recently bought a town house in Minneapolis and announced he will transplant his popular "Air America" radio fest from New York City to his native state. This liberal comedian and best-selling author of Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right hasn't lived in Minnesota for more than 20 years. Now his supporters are agog at the prospect of a challenge to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, a first-term Republican

Is that august chamber ready for a clowning comic?

There's plenty of precedent. Our political history is cluttered with entertainers-turned-politicians. There's even a Web site that chronicles a century of examples. Politicalstrategy.org bills itself as a "reference guide" to the phenomenon.


http://www.suntimes.com/output/washington/cst-edt-laura20.html

[autorank]

1. Carrying on the proud tradition of Senator Henny Youngman, D. NY.

Go for it all, knock that guy down, make him pay for those new teeth.

[MnFats]

2. might as well. I'd favor a toaster over coleman....

this could happen. there is a groundswell of disgust and anger with Coleman's phony-ass persona.

[progressoid]

3. Go for it Al

He'll need to work on his delivery however. Politics and comedy aren't always compatible.

[bluestateguy]

4. I think he could pull this out

and he could raise a shitload of money.

[cyclezealot]

5. Al Franken would be a great senator.but,

George Galloway, MP of the UK is what is needed in the US Congress..Should repugs in the Senate have to answer to him they would drop dead instantly. I am sure you all know how Galloway made mince meat of Norman Coleman at recent Senate hearings. Coleman got his neatly combed hair blown back.
Since unfortunately Galloway can't run; I hope Al Franken takes lessons from Galloway in how to dish it out.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

9. If you want a Galloway, you need Randi Rhodes to run....

The Gentlewoman from New York....Senator Rhodes. :)

[cyclezealot]

11. Sleepless, I like Franken a lot

Just we all could learn from Galloway's intensity.

[silverweb]

6. Franken's a very smart man.

He's articulate and puts together a cogent, well-documented argument for whatever point he wants to make, and his sense of humor helps him communicate better than most. He also doesn't back down when he knows he's right.

I think he'd be a very effective senator and we're lucky to have him on our side.

[truthisfreedom]

7. stay out of small planes, Al! and welcome home! we love ya!

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

8. Franken SHOULD be in politics. He could get a lot done.

Great guy.

[chknltl]

10. Yoi yoiyoi.... Go get 'em Al..... nt