NYT Takes a Cheap Shot at Al Franken.

[Bleacher Creature]

In what is an extremely straight news article, previewing the upcoming Sotomayor Hearings, the Times drops this little nugget:

"Senators Settling Into New Roles to Weigh Sotomayor Nomination
By NEIL A. LEWIS

WASHINGTON — More than two decades ago, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee as a nominee for a district court judgeship in Alabama and was rejected by the panel over charges of racial insensitivity.

Next week, Senator Jeff Sessions, as he is now known, will play a major role as the ranking Republican on the same committee as it considers the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. And one of the themes of the confirmation hearings, with Mr. Sessions now on the other side of the process, will be racial and ethnic preferences.

Mr. Sessions is one of a cast of characters who will have new roles to play on the Judiciary Committee as it sets about considering President Obama’s first selection for the Supreme Court.

The 12 Democrats on the committee include Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, who was sworn into office on Tuesday. He is not a lawyer — all but 5 of the committee’s 19 members are — but in his previous life as a comedian he once played Senator Paul Simon, Democrat of Illinois, in a “Saturday Night Live” skit about the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings in 1991."

(SNIP)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/us/politics/08panel.html?_r=1&ref=politics
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Can someone PLEASE explain to me why this is relevant? Does his former profession somehow disqualify him from serving as a competent Senator? It's not as if he's the first Senator to have a career before being elected - his was just unique. The fact is that he's incredibly bright, thoughtful, articulate and holds positions on issues that are shared by a majority of the American public.

In all fairness, the Times is not alone in repeating the "comedian" line, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it's just a result of the novelty of everything. That said, it has to stop.

[MrModerate]

1. Sometimes a factoid is just a factoid, and doesn't mean much at all.

I think the writer was trying to be a little clever. Not a hanging offense.

[anigbrowl]

2. There's nothing wrong with this

You're being too sensitive. Everyone knows he used to be a comedian. If he was an ex-farmer sitting on the agriculture committee it'd be 'but as an ex-farmer, he has raised his own hogs' or something.

[lapfog_1]

3. Al Franken may be the most intelligent person in the Senate

and, likely, better versed in a lot of topics the Senate is going to deal with than any other Senator.

He is going to surprise a lot of people there.

[undeterred]

7. Al Franken went to Harvard.

And what a lot of people don't realize is that intelligence is a key ingredient in humor. I've always thought been able to tell that Franken was totally clued in to what was going on in the world, even when he was on SNL. Can't say that about all of our Senators.

[undeterred]

4. Its snarky

but maybe the writer couldn't think of anything else to say. He may not know about Sen. Franken's books or radio experience.

[lindisfarne]

5. If all but 5 of 19 members are lawyers, we need some balance. Paul Simon wasn't a lawyer either?nt

[rucky]

6. Because what we need are more lawyers in Congress.

sorry DU lawyers. couldn't resist.

[Catshrink]

8. ,,,

[Omaha Steve]

9. Maybe he should make a few jokes about the NYT or R's?

K&R for the commentary, not the story!

[PretzelWarrior]

10. it does bring to mind a funny moment about Sonny Bono's stint as Representative

of California. Apparently, he was sitting in a meeting over a bill and asked, why does this stuff have to be written in this legal gobbledy gook?

A pause.....and then

Someone said, because what we're working on are LAWS.

So yeah. I can see why the "not a lawyer" thing might be a normal thing to comment on.

[pnwmom]

11. And Reagan was an actor in B-flicks, like Bedtime for Bonzo (the chimp).

That was pointed out often enough.

[BlooInBloo]

12. I'm gonna miss "journalists".

[Metta]

13. It *is* snarky and meant to demean. How about the depth of his knowledge and passion on Air America

? Hm?

[wtbymark]

14. well, that's Rupert's take on it

it's time that people don't put so much weight on the infected rag

[melman]

16. Murdoch owns the Post

not the Times.

[mucifer]

15. Do you guys remember the episode that Paul Simon hosted SNL and BOTH Paul SImons showed up

that was very funny.

[Motown_Johnny]

17. It is not so much relevant as unusual. they are trying to sell papers ya know

[Cha]

18. So Senator Al is among "5" who are not

lawyers..but they feel he should be singled out..their problem.

They're all making sure he has such low expectations it can only be all good.

[The Wizard]

19. Al was a comedy writer

and comic actor, but not a comedian in the sense of someone like Lenny Bruce or Lewis Black.

[HOLOS]

20. Love and Admire Al Franken

[BuyingThyme]

21. That's funny.