AL Franken Gets Serious About US Politics (to win back Wellstone's seat)

WP/Reuters: Comedian Al Franken Gets Serious About US Politics
Reuters
Wednesday, November 9, 2005


...."The next thing I am doing is moving back home to Minnesota and getting involved in politics," Franken told Reuters in an interview at his Air America radio studio. "I'm looking at a run for Senate in 2008, but in the meantime I am focused on knitting together the progressive network in the upper Midwest."...Franken is starting a national tour to promote his new book "The Truth (With Jokes)" which has the usual political satire that has made him a top-selling humour writer.

A New York Times reviewer called it "an extended stump speech" for his political run."

The heavily researched book tackles topics such as Social Security reform, Iraq and the case of Terry Schiavo, which prompted a highly charged national debate on euthanasia earlier this year....

***

He shrugs and shakes his head when asked whether wrestler Jesse Ventura's successful run for Minnesota governor inspired him. He prefers to talk about Paul Wellstone, the left-wing Democrat who died in a plane crash in the closing days of his 2002 campaign for a third term in the Senate.

It's Wellstone's seat, which went to Republican Norm Coleman, that he hopes to win back for the Democrats in 2008. "I knew Paul well; I campaigned for him a lot," said Franken. "He was a friend. A great guy."...


http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110801716.html

all that Paul worked for and fought for...Al gets all my support and more to bring light and right back to MN!

And what nonsense is he trying to pull on the Galloway issue?

:shrug:

see this article

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article322108.ece

I didn't know Franken was going to run for the Senate. If he has a debate with Coleman, I'll bet that would draw a crowd!

And it better be broadcast online.

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

in a debate. There wouldn't be anything left of Normy except a pair of smoking shoes with a toupee sitting on top of them.

He'd be a great candidate.

I hope Al can do it. Coleman is a douche.

really turned people off. Had Wellstone lived, he would have kept his seat, because after his vote against the Iraq War Resolution, his pool numbers jumped up. Gawd I miss him. :cry:

But, I'd be thrilled to see Franken run.

his seat was totally devastating. I don't think I have ever felt such sadness and hopelessness than at that time. Can you imagine the RW having to endure the sorrow and crushing disappointments that we have? Sheesh. They can't even be happy while they have the majority. :eyes:

I Agree mnmolly, I hope Franken runs. I think he could be extremely effective here. He is knowledgeable, funny and a gentleman...all qualities that Coleman does NOT posses.

:(

No need to imagine.. this is what happens when they lose big time.

if Minnesota has electronic voting he is going to learn a lesson the hard way!

He does not believe the diebold "presidential selection" of bush in 2004.

which have a paper trail. I would imagine the rest of the state has a pretty sound system also. Remember we've gone blue in the last several elections.

:hi:

It would be possible to fudge the counting process, but it would also be possible to do a recount with the original marked paper ballots.

My precinct in Northern VA has had optiscan for many years, and the knowledge that (at least in theory) a recount could be done provides some comfort. And yesterday, we booted out our long-time Repuke state delegate. And you may have heard we kept a Dem in the Governor's mansion. :-)

runs, he is passionate and sensible.

This Minnesotan would love to see Al run. He's going to have to reach out to the unions and the iron range somehow. Perhaps moving to Duluth? ;)

They'll try to peg him an angry elitist for sure. But I think he can win.

he has one thing going for him -- he's a member of a union (active at that).

Given, SAG isn't IBT, but its a lot better than skull and bones.

I can't remember exactly how he worded it... but
Jon responded by saying "You just announced on MY SHOW"

He must be VERY seriously considering it. Too bad it's still 3 years till we can get rid of slick.

I think he'd make a good Senator

I see a major temper tantrum on the stump in his future. Coleman is no doubt a POS...I just fear an untimely Franken implosion will keep Norm in DC another 6 years. :puke:

Democrats with spirit and passion should be encouraged and supported. Al Franken's temperment is just fine, thank you very much.

Hard to believe, with all the "Minnesota Nice" we're famous for. But sometimes it works in the candidate's favor.

See also: Ventura, Jesse.

Does he have angry-grunty moments?
Why was I not informed?

He has credibility as a comic actor, and is building a rep as a talk show host, but he seems to be... I dunno... kind of sluggish in his recent TV appearances. I think he reeked on The Daily Show, and he won't come across a more sympathetic audience than that in Minnesota.

Al seems to be growing an unhealthy amount of ego lately. He seems increasingly artificial, and more than a little scripted. That won't play well for the voters.

Paul Wellstone's greatest virtue was that he was completely genuine and forthcoming in every public appearance I can recall. Nothing against Al, and I'm sure his intentions are well-placed, but he needs to find that frankness within himself and nurture it if he wants to win. IMHO.

Funnier than Santorum, even.

"I'm looking at a run for Senate in 2008, but in the meantime I am focused on knitting..."