"For Paul's Seat"

After recalling his campaign swings through his home state of Minnesota on behalf of the late Paul Wellstone, comedian, author and activist Al Franken closed his last Air America radio show with an announcement that he will be running in 2OO8 "for Paul's seat."

Franken's challenge to Republican incumbent Norm Coleman, who took Wellstone's place in the Senate after the popular incumbent was killed in a fall 2OO2 plane crash, was expected. What was intriguing was Franken's signal with the broadcast announcement that his will be a certain kind of candidacy, run very much in the Wellstone tradition.

Humility was the order of the day.

Instead of grand pronouncements, Franken said he would spend the coming months "listening to Minnesota," with a schedule that in coming days will take him to Nashwauk, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato and Moorhead -- not the usual mid-winter stomping grounds of celebrity contenders.

He'll begin tomorrow morning at a Minneapolis health care clinic where doctors and nurses volunteer to care for the uninsured.

The visit to the clinic will highlight a signature issue of Franken's campaign -- getting the federal government focused on the task of assuring that all Americans have access to affordable quality health care. '

Rejecting the conservative premise that government can do little or no good, Franken began his campaign by offering a contemporary take on the New Deal liberalism of Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party stalwarts such as Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Wellstone.

"Your government should have your back," the man who has spent the last three years serving as the voice of liberal talk radio said in a video produced for his campaign. "That should be our mission in Washington, the one FDR (President Franklin D. Rooosevelt) gave us during another challenging time: freedom from fear."

Just as Wellstone did when he launched his challenge to another Minnesota Republican senator in 199O, as an academic and activist who had never held elected office, Franken knows he must convince Minnesotans -- first within the DFL, where he will face a challenge from wealthy lawyer Mike Ciresi and perhaps others, and if he is nominated then in a fall contest with Coleman that will be one of the most intense in the country -- that he in a credible contender. Franken began by stating the obvious: that he is not a "typical politician."

In Minnesota, a state where the voters elected a professional wrestler governor in 1998, and a college professor senator in 199O, that's an advantage. But it did not prevent predictably political attacks.

Telegraphing Republican fears that Franken's celebrity, fund-raising skills and familiarity with issues that have been regular topics on his talk show make the affable comedian a daunting challenger to Coleman -- a political creation of White House political czar Karl Rove and Vice President Dick Cheney who is broadly perceived to be one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in the country -- Minnesota Republican Party chairman Ron Carey was spinning hard and fast on Wednesday afternoon. "Given his blind partisanship and extreme anger, Al Franken is the last person Minnesotans need in the United States Senate," growled Carey. "While Sen. Norm Coleman continues to work with all sides for the betterment of our stateand nation, Franken offers Minnesotans nothing but polarization and vitriolic personal attacks."

The joke was on Carey, however, as he sounded far more vitriolic than Franken.

While the Republican was spewing vitriol, the Democrat was self-deprecating, beginning his campaign with an admission that he needed to convince Minnesotans to elect as their senator a "Saturday Night Live" alumnus who once penned a book titled: Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations.

"Minnesotans have a right to be skeptical about whether I'm ready for this challenge and to wonder how seriously I would take the responsibility that I'm asking you to give me," Franken said in a video message featured on his www.alfranken.com campaign website.

"I want you to know: nothing means more to me than making government work better for the working families of this state," Franken said. "And over the next 20 months I look forward to proving to you that I take these issues seriously."

If his Minnesota-nice, Wellstone-referencing entry into the race is any indication, Franken will not have much problem proving he is serious -- and, in turn, being taken seriously by the voters of a state that has proven its willingness over the years to take chances on candidates who are not "typical politicians."

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John Nichols' new book is THE GENIUS OF IMPEACHMENT: The Founders' Cure for Royalism. Rolling Stone's Tim Dickinson hails it as a "nervy, acerbic, passionately argued history-cum-polemic [that] combines a rich examination of the parliamentary roots and past use of the 'heroic medicine' that is impeachment with a call for Democratic leaders to 'reclaim and reuse the most vital tool handed to us by the founders for the defense of our most basic liberties.'"

Comments (55)

1. "The joke was on Carey, however, as he sounded far more vitriolic than Franken."

   Well, he is welcome to try.....but i do NOT think that this is in anyway a joke on anyone other than the Dem Party if they throw their support to Franken.

   He may be playing the "humility" card now.(couldnt type this sentence without stopping to laugh hysterically)

   But unfortunately for Franken, he has a history.....a documented history of vicious rhetoric. Sorry he is too easy a target....but hey if minnesotans want him....i have no doubt he will make a fool of himself and embarrass the state of Minnesota.

   Posted by CPT at 02/14/2007 @ 6:04pm

2. CPT,

   So when are you joining the surge, assclown? Funny you criticize me for tossing dirt in your face every chance I get, yet all we see you doing is talking, when you're the one who is a jarhead by choice. What kind of self-proclaimed soldier sits at a desk all day? Can you say Bevo Officer?

   Posted by chimichenga at 02/14/2007 @ 6:07pm

3. Al Franken for senate like Arnie for governor? Not a valid comparison. Arnie might have had some funny moments on screen, but he was never known as a comedian.....It's one thing to vote for an actor, But to vote for a comedian? Al will have a hard time convincing most people that he's not just joking around....... Wait until the Minnesota GOP photoshops Franken's campaign poster with a jester hat.......

   Posted by davebarlett at 02/14/2007 @ 7:13pm

4. Now he can join all the other commedians in Washington....

   Posted by w_m_bear at 02/14/2007 @ 7:29pm

5. It probably won't be the second coming of Paul. Wellstone was the progressive's progressive, while Franken has identified himself as a DLC Democrat.

   Posted by green2006 at 02/14/2007 @ 8:01pm

6. Watch John Nichols CAREFULLY AVOID talk of Al...

   as Al campaigns for and with Hillary in 2008.

   As progressives and "The Nation" critique Her Nibs at every opportunity upto the inevitable "Well, she's the lesser of two evils" endorsement....Al will be glued to her hip, both for campaign appearances in St. Paul and on the stump.

   Mr Nichols will probably demand "Democrats on the campaign trail...hold Hillary's feet to the fire for progressive ideals"....except his buddy Al.

   Because if Al DOES try to imitate Paul Wellstone...he will eventually have to reject the Clintons (his long-time idols and friends)....

   and if he doesn't, and stays a fan of Hill and Bill....then he can't REALLY be called "Paul's heir" or claim he should get "Paul's seat".

   He can't do both honestly.

   Posted by Mask at 02/14/2007 @ 8:28pm

7. go al!

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/14/2007 @ 8:29pm

8. I'm always amazed at the knee-jerk conservative responses on The Nation. So, let me be the first voice of opposition to these comments and support for Al Franken.

   Al Franken is better educated, better informed and more focused than almost any other politician or pundit alive. His grasp of detail of fiscal policy is astounding and his ability to explain those mundane financial facts in a manner that is clear and simple and translate-able to every-day life is even more astounding.

   His recall of names, policies and voting history is almost encyclopedic and his ability to think and react quickly (maybe a benefit of his comedic past) serves him well in public situations whether as sound bites or in longer debate.

   You can comment all you want about Air America (which you well know did NOT go bust), but in a debate, Al Franken will beat almost any candidate hands down.

   Moreover, Al Franken is more morally responsible and genuinely caring about the plight of others than anyone I can think of. When he says he will work for the benefit of his constituents, you'd better believe it.

   When will the RNC and their ilk learn that calling a person angry, polarizing and vitriolic is, itself, angry, polarizing and vitriolic.

   Al, admittedly, has a long way to go to get beyond the knee-jerk, first impression responses that are seen above and have been bandied about unfairly, but if he runs a serious campaign and works to offset such absurd paranoia and can get people to really listen to him, he will be a HUGE threat to Coleman.

   Posted by bellicelli at 02/14/2007 @ 8:29pm

9. Posted by BELLICELLI 02/14/2007 @ 8:29pm

   And what do you think of Al's constant and strong support of the Clintons and Clintonism politics?

   Posted by Mask at 02/14/2007 @ 8:51pm

10. Al Franken is better educated, better informed and more focused than almost any other politician or pundit alive.

    Solid take.

    As I travel about the country for my job, I listen to a lot of talk radio. The difference between Franken and the rest of radio talk show hosts was striking. I was always impressed by how reasonable and informed Al Franken sounded on his show, and dismayed by how much bombast and contempt was spewed by most all the others - included some of his own cohosts (Randi Rhodes in particular) on Air America.

    If I was a Minnesotan, I'd vote for him.

    Posted by Balrog at 02/14/2007 @ 8:51pm

11. Instead of just talking about it, Franken is actually doing something. Whether you agree with him or not, ya gotta respect that.

    Posted by Balrog at 02/14/2007 @ 8:57pm

12. Posted by BALROG 02/14/2007 @ 8:57pm

    and he be funny...

    as well as genuinely decent yet still ballsy...

    and he funny...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 02/14/2007 @ 9:04pm

13. There are no perfect candidates and we don't need to shoot down Al Franken because he is an entertainer.

    Zero, don't you think it is a sign of health that someone like Franken, who helped create Air America because he worried about the "state of the airwaves," is interested in throwing his hat in the ring because he believes we as a nation can do better?

    Whether you agree with him or not, the fact that he is doing this out of conviction speaks well of him. You don't have to support him, just recognize that while he may have a lot of money this in itself neither guarantees him success nor should be a stroke against him. After all, Franken did not create the problem of "paying to play" but he does want to be a part of the solution.

    Give him a chance.

    Posted by hhemwm at 02/14/2007 @ 9:11pm

14. Besides, if concerned citizens want to run for public office this is a sign of the health of democracy.

    If you start disqualifying people because they are rich, or famous or you think they are dilettantes, what is to stop you from coming up with a reason to stifle any and all candidacies? You will never find a perfect candidate as you know doubt already know quite well.

    People who are concerned and want to run should run.

    Posted by hhemwm at 02/14/2007 @ 9:13pm

15. Posted by CHIMICHENGA 02/14/2007 @ 6:07pm | ignore this person

    You are just another sad radical. Project if you will....i think you are a funny sad sack...you never have thrown dirt on my face. You do not have the guts to actually let these angry feelings become action.

    I dont care if the personnel rotation is not to your liking....I am going to stay here and it gives me immense joy that a loser gets so wound up over my presence.

    Posted by CPT at 02/14/2007 @ 9:16pm

16. Having read the dishonest attacks on Franken in earlier comments on this entry, I can safely declare that man shouldn't have very much trouble getting elected. When the message is unpleasant, rather than discuss it and its implications the far right choose to attack the messenger--hoping (desperately) that if they can impugn the credibility of the bearer of unpleasant truths they can prevent anyone from hearing what he has to say.

    It is the right of any citizen to run for public office. Being a celebrity does not disqualify one from running, nor does it disqualify one from holding office. Clint Eastwood, Sonny Bono, Jesse Ventura, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, that traitor Reagan, and other entertainers have successfully held public office. Some were better at it than others. But all of them had a right to take their shot at doing so.

    Al Franken represents the views of average Americans. But because this fact is anathema to those on the far right, who cannot fathom the notion of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Average caring about something more than gays marrying, taxes, and being free to run around with guns, they are left with no choice but to hurl lame insults and false accusations.

    Voters handed Democrats control of Congress, because Republicans have done so much damage to this once-great nation. The far right is seething over this, and I think it is funny to watch them froth at the mouth with their usual hatred and contempt for all people and things truly American.

    Posted by ARCHANGEL_M at 02/14/2007 @ 9:17pm

17. Posted by ARCHANGEL_M 02/14/2007 @ 9:17pm

    Try with ARCH....

    So, what do you think of Al's constant and strong support of the Clintons and Clintonism politics?

    Posted by Mask at 02/14/2007 @ 9:25pm

18. Mask: What do I think of Al's support of the Clintons? Not much. He isn't Bill and has been critical of some of Clinton's trade policies in particular. He is supportive of Hillary, but has expressed concern with her inability to own up to her decision and voting record on Iraq. To my recollection, as recently as last week on his radio show, he was calling for Hillary to admit that her support for the Iraq War was wrong and urging her to push for withdrawl rather than being afraid of looking weak. Bill certainly wasn't a saint, but in hindsight he looks like he's wearing a halo compared to Bush.

    For Al to continue to talk about Clinton's greater political legacies (balancing budgets, economic expansions, low crime rates, low abortion rates, low unemployment, low inflation, great job creation, support for college loan programs, expansion of police programs, expansion of the CRA programs, smart growth of the military and after the 1993 bombing, a serious, mature and effective anti-terrorism program - to name a few) serves Al well.

    So, Mask, what exactly about Clinton's political legacy looks worse to you in hindsight? And why would this affect your ability to take Franken seriously as a political candidate?

    Posted by bellicelli at 02/14/2007 @ 9:47pm

19. Good luck Al.

    you are going to need it.

    My bet says The Body got more votes than Al will.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/14/2007 @ 10:22pm

20. Who here has actually listened to Franken's show? What were your impressions?

    I found him to be very deliberative and fair.

    Posted by Balrog at 02/14/2007 @ 10:42pm

21. Have to agree that Franken was far and away the most reasoned and articulate voice on Air America, but next to Randi Rhodes, that's not saying much......

    Posted by davebarlett at 02/14/2007 @ 10:51pm

22. Zero: "Does Franken have a platform?"

    John Nichols only worries about that when he's in an Obama-bashing mood. Contrast the detailed content of this

    http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/

    with the utter paucity of policy on

    http://www.alfranken.com/

    and you'd never guess that Obama is the one Nichols slams for lack of substance, while Franken is inanely celebrated as the second coming of our beloved Paul Wellstone.

    (One view from Minnesota...)

    Posted by jcmcg at 02/14/2007 @ 11:00pm

23. Posted by BALROG 02/14/2007 @ 10:42pm

    I listened to him two or three days a week at work. He was great. He had interesting guests and spent a lot of time with issues and had some thoughtful ideas. I listened today and was touched when he wrapped up his show with his very sincere goodbye to his listeners and his announcement of his running for "Paul's seat".

    He will make a great Senator replacing one who is considered by many as one of the dumbest Senators in the nation. Franken will win hands down.

    "A politics that is not sensitive to the concerns and circumstances of people's lives, a politics that does not speak to and include people, is an intellectually arrogant politics that deserves to fail." Paul Wellstone

    Posted by COProgressive at 02/14/2007 @ 11:21pm

24. "Al Franken represents the views of average Americans."

    Absolute horseshit.

    I have friends who know Al and his family and went to school with him, as we lived near one another in Minnesota...I sold Al some jewelry 25 years ago...he is funny ,smart and articulate...he is also..

    extremely arrogant, flys around in a G/5(so much for Algores carbon foot print), rude, demanding to the "help", and at times shrill...he also demanded his pay from AA as it went down..Average American may have cut a deal to give up his 7 figure pay check to save his job, but that would be asking too much, I guess...kinda like the union worker who would rather lose his job while on strike for more money than keep the company alive by taking less during hard times..he also , in the last few weeks, called and asked Dem politicians in Minnesota.. "what are the issues he should stand for"...my god, the papers gave him a pass on this, but many on the street didn't...if you have to ask what the issues are, then perhaps you are not ready to run for anything...but, the loons like the author of the statement quoted here will vote for him, as will the unions and the blacks...so may be it doesn't matter what he thinks or knows...with voters like that he may be a shoo in...but my guess if he wins, it will be a one termer, like Dayton..and who is Dayton you might ask? He is the other Senator from Minneasota who spend millions and millions of his own money to be a Senator from Minnestoa only to be rated dead last as an effective Senator.....and Al can raise tons of cash for his seat...not in Minnesota, but Hollywood...

    I find him hillarious and just as much of a jackass as O'Reilly.. He does love Wellstone and worships at the altar of socialism, as did Paul...to say Al "Al Franken represents the views of average Americans." is to place yourself on the far left finge of the fringe...yikes.

    Al shouldn't have any chance in Minnesota as the state has moved right in the last 10 years, but then again, it voted in Ventura, so who knows...

    Posted by john maasch at 02/14/2007 @ 11:25pm

25. .."goodbye to his listeners and his announcement of his running for "Paul's seat".

    Paul doesn't have a seat and hasn't for years...

    Posted by john maasch at 02/14/2007 @ 11:25pm

26. Does Franken have a platform?

    Posted by ZERO 02/14/2007 @ 10:44pm

    Zero -- I watched his announcement video. Not bad once he got past the eye-rolling (mine not his) first few minute

    Posted by w_m_bear at 02/15/2007 @ 12:00am

27. Does Franken have a platform?

    Posted by ZERO 02/14/2007 @ 10:44pm

    Let me finish! (Hit Submit by mistake on this #*^%%#&*! rental laptop that makes pecking out a simple sentence into an incredible chore because hitting the least wrong key seems to cause all kinds of undesirable behavior!) Anyway...

    Zero -- I watched his announcement video. Not bad once he got past the eye-rolling (mine not his) first few minutes of family tales (his own and friends'). I do hope someone on his campaign sets him straight about "talking points" and "staying on message." The family tales DID (finally!) have a point, though, because he ended by talking about the "safety nets" that government provides families like his (Social Security, Medicare, etc.) and, yes, actually labeling himself a "progressive" and not just the Democratic candidate. And I for one was impressed by the Wellstone reference, anyway.

    Posted by w_m_bear at 02/15/2007 @ 12:11am

28. I agree with the supporters of Franken who say that he knows the issues as well as anyone running for office. The cons who crticize him could not last a minute with him in any sort of real debate on public policy.

    Posted by antigop at 02/15/2007 @ 12:30am

29. When will the RNC and their ilk learn that calling a person angry, polarizing and vitriolic is, itself, angry, polarizing and vitriolic.

    Wasn't Al the guy that tackled someone at some sort of press conference? All unhinged about someone he disagreed with? Angry, polarizing, and vitriolic? Sounds like it.

    Posted by Sliver at 02/15/2007 @ 05:03am

30. Posted by BELLICELLI 02/14/2007 @ 9:47pm

    BELI, you don't understand...I'm a Clinton FAN.

    Some here though...not so much. And THAT may be Al's problem.

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 07:11am

31. The good people of Minnesota could do a lot worse.

    Oh, wait - they already have.

    Posted by drhammer at 02/15/2007 @ 07:39am

32. True to form, Al Franken in the quoted statement does not mention the war on Iraq. Even Norm Coleman is against the "surge" whereas Franken remains silent about it.

    Franken likes to invoke Wellstone who voted against the war in 2002 even as Franken was campaigning for it. And over all these years on his radio program he has never come out for immediate withdrawal.

    I am afraid that Franken's loyalty to Israel trumps whatever anti-war feelings he may have. Whatever his motivations it is certain from his record that Franken will only add to the belligerence of U.S. policy in the Middle East. Even worse than Coleman, I would say.

    Posted by jvwalshmd1 at 02/15/2007 @ 08:24am

33. Odd, thing too...."BELLICELLI"

    Never seen that poster before. And he/she appears to have only popped in on THIS thread about Al Franken?

    And given that most campaigns now have "official bloggers" (much to the regret of John Edwards probabaly)....

    Could it be that BELLI is ....working for Al?!?!?!?

    No hit on him/her, but if so, shouldn't they be upfront about it?

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 08:45am

34. It's one thing to vote for an actor, But to vote for a comedian?

    Posted by DAVEBARLETT 02/14/2007 @ 7:13pm

    You would call Arnold an actor? Good one, Dave!!

    Posted by Hman23 at 02/15/2007 @ 09:21am

35. They called Reagan a great man.

    funny how they cannot stand Holyweird types, but they love their actor/pols. Why, just the other day RIOcacadePOLLO channeled Fred Thompson, "B" actor and Nixon apologist.

    Another neoconundrum.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/15/2007 @ 10:23am

36. Even Franken couldn't make up stuff this funny:

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- When Gen. Tommy R. Franks and his top officers gathered in August 2002 to review an invasion plan for Iraq, it reflected a decidedly upbeat vision of what the country would look like four years after Saddam Hussein was ousted from power

    A broadly representative Iraqi government would be in place. The Iraqi Army would be working to keep the peace. And the United States would have as few as 5,000 troops in the country.

    Based on this and other hopeful suppositions, the command's planners projected what the American occupation of Iraq might look like. After the main fighting was over, there was to be a two- to three-month "stabilization" phase, then an 18- to 24-month "recovery" phase.

    That was to be followed by a 12- to 18-month "transition" phase. At the end of this stage -- 32 to 45 months after the invasion began -- it was projected that the United States would have only 5,000 troops in Iraq.

    ------ahhh, good times.

    Let us hear some more about how wrong the liberals were, how they must hate AmeriKa if they think it will take years to stabilize Iraq. Troop haters! Godless heathens!

    Correct assumptions based on reality were met with jingoistic nationalist slogans instead of a Plan. Now sheep like RIOcacadePOLLO like to parade around with jingoistic slogans like "the dems have no plan"

    everyone that was in favor of war, including AL Franken and Hillary, should be in Iraq right now.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/15/2007 @ 10:30am

37. As a resident of MN, I must say I am VERY happy about Franken's candidacy. I think he(or ANY DFLer for that matter) can easily take down a lightweight like Norm Coleman. Coleman won in 2002 under some very flukey circumstances (Wellstone's death and the debacle of the memorial service which initiated a backlash against the Democrats). Unless the Bush administration gets REALLY popular in the next two years, a Bush/Cheney/Rove yes-man like Coleman will likely go down in flames in BLUE-State Minnesota. I personally relish a replay of 2006 when another Bush/Cheney/Rove yes-man and former Republican "rising star" Mark Kennedy got his ASS KICKED by Amy Klobuchar. Coleman has nothing to offer but more of the same "deer in the headlights" look of confusion that Kennedy did.

    Posted by lams712 at 02/15/2007 @ 11:05am

38. Posted by JVWALSHMD1 02/15/2007 @ 08:24am

    come to think of it, would someone who was anti-war make such a big deal out of his USO performances? (as a badge of patriotism, presumably).

    Posted by katamantulo at 02/15/2007 @ 11:06am

39. The good people of Minnesota set the bar awfully low when they elected that idiot wrestler. on the other hand compared to Bush, Ventura was articulate.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 02/15/2007 @ 11:07am

40. come to think of it, would someone who was anti-war make such a big deal out of his USO performances? (as a badge of patriotism, presumably).

    Posted by KATAMANTULO 02/15/2007 @ 11:06am | ignore this person

    entertainers love a captive audience.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 02/15/2007 @ 11:08am

41. Wasn't it grand to watch all the Tough Guys swoon over a feather boa wearin', tights packin' WWF comedian!

    Just like they swooned over Chimpy in his sweat sock packed flight suit.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/15/2007 @ 11:25am

42. More ethics from the hsuB admin:

    Sue Ellen Wooldridge, former assistant attorney general in charge of environment and natural resources, bought a $980,000 home on Kiawah Island, S.C., last March with ConocoPhillips lobbyist Don R. Duncan. A third owner of the house is J. Steven Griles, a former deputy interior secretary, who has been informed he is a target in the federal investigation of Jack Abramoff's lobbying activities.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/14/AR200702 1401913.html?nav=rss_print/asection

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/15/2007 @ 11:27am

43. BARRY's kind of "guy"

    http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingVentura/venturap2.html

    give that man a carrier group!

    Franken's got nothing on this guy.

    Posted by crabwalk at 02/15/2007 @ 11:32am

44. Posted by KATAMANTULO 02/15/2007 @ 11:06am

    Early CYA move by Al....or just plain "insulation" for opposing the war back when it was still popular with the "Middle".

    "I support the troops...I even entertained them and it was non-partisan!"

    Coleman and his team will do a LOT of "archive searches" of both old AAR shows and even some speeches, CSPAN appearances, etc. of Franken...and Al probably knew that 4 years ago, which is why he has been the MOST moderate of Democrats on Air America.

    His "newfound" criticism of Hillary could be his Achilles' heel though, if Coleman plays it right. Get the OLD (pre-2006) "O'Franken Factor" show tapes and get it out on the liberal blogs with Al praising Hillary and Bill at every turn and sounding "cautiously optimistic" about Iraq in the early days.

    His problem isn't going to be the Right as much as his beloved Paul's LEFT...when a full accounting of his EARLIER positions on the radio come out and he has to do the same mea culpas that Hillary, Biden, etc. are doing now.

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 11:38am

45. Lam,

    "Unless the Bush administration gets REALLY popular in the next two years, a Bush/Cheney/Rove yes-man like Coleman will likely go down in flames in BLUE-State Minnesota. I personally relish a replay of 2006 when another Bush/Cheney/Rove yes-man and former Republican "rising star" Mark Kennedy got his ASS KICKED by Amy Klobuchar. '

    Coleman used to be a democrat and has won all his offices with support from both sides....you might want to go back and review the history since you live there..

    also, Coleman costantly fights with Bush and votes against him almost as much as one of my Senators(Hagel)...as far as Kennedy getting his ass kicked...money from Hollywood and the fact that most voters thought Amy was related to the famous Minneapolis Star writer had a large influence as did her campaign...by the way, can you name her platform and what she ran on?

    In Minnesota, being DFL is the same as being hyponotized, as the modern DFL is a socialist nut house with constant tax increases and socialistic dreams and is in name only the group that the esteemed Humphrey set up...a shame, really, as it has fallen into disrespect for the most part and now the elections are split into 3 groups, with the repubs winning most in the last 10 years, with a few exceptions of course...

    however, give the clown Ventura elected, you may get your wish and elect Frankin...it is a shame tho...for Minnesota....if nothing else, the elections up there are entertaining.

    Posted by john maasch at 02/15/2007 @ 11:38am

46. Mask,

    All he has to do(Colemean) is to let Al be Al...kinda like letting Gore be Gore..

    Posted by john maasch at 02/15/2007 @ 11:39am

47. Posted by JOHN MAASCH 02/15/2007 @ 11:39am

    I'm not at all saying Franken can't defeat Coleman.

    Coleman was a "post-9/11" candidate put up by Rove to attempt to do to Wellstone what he was able to pull off against Max Cleland...and he "got lucky" with Wellstone's death and the SUICIDAL move by MN Dems to put up the "Poster Boy For Lost Elections" Walter Mondale against him.

    But Al's got "baggage". If people were shocked that the "Swift Boats" were able to take Kerry's war records and turn it into Jane Fonda's war records....they should NOT be surprised when some of Al's "over-the-top" comments or comedy sketches (both from AAR and SNL days) aren't run with the inevitable disclaimer "Do Minnesotans want a US Senator who ACTS this way?!??!"

    Or even MORE biting..."Would PAUL WELLSTONE say such things???"

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 12:21pm

48. Comedians as politicians:

    No problem.

    First of all, as John Maasch pointed out about Franken, comedians in real life are frequently not pleasant people. They'd have no problem with the constant insult and character assassination that a politician lives with.

    A good joke starts with an accurate perception of everyday realities, with a dash of creativity thrown in. That's very close to what lawmakers are supposed to do. Take the present situation and apply a change of direction that makes sense at the time.

    They say that politics is just show business for ugly people. So why get upset over a little crossover.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 02/15/2007 @ 12:39pm

49. Also, do not forget..Minnesotas state bird is....yup, you guessed it...the LOON.

    Posted by john maasch at 02/15/2007 @ 12:57pm

50. A good joke starts with an accurate perception of everyday realities, with a dash of creativity thrown in.

    Posted by MYPARADIGM 02/15/2007 @ 12:39am

    Actually, MYPARA, I've found that things we really find funny...typically involve somebody ELSE getting embaressed, humilitated, or even harmed, if if that somebody else is fictional.

    Think about it...best joke or comedy you ever saw or heard...wasn't it usually at the expense of someone else (occasionally self-deprecating, but mostly on others)?

    Franken for example. "Stuart Smalley" parodied "self-help gurus" who were more messed-up than the people they were trying to help. Even his Air America humor, Bush or some Republican or conservative (lot of it Bill O'Reilly)....wasn't "the joke" on them being stupid, arrogant, hypocritical, etc.?

    Deserved, maybe. But still a "hit" on the target of the comedy, not JUST "an accurate perception of everyday realities, with a dash of creativity thrown in"?

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 12:59pm

51. Posted by MASK 02/15/2007 @ 12:59am

    Even his Air America humor, Bush or some Republican or conservative (lot of it Bill O'Reilly)....wasn't "the joke" on them being stupid, arrogant, hypocritical, etc.?

    you can't make satire without cracking some eggs.

    i admit to finding his pat robertson imitation funny.

    Posted by katamantulo at 02/15/2007 @ 1:46pm

52. And hope it's not a rotting pier on the leeward side of Lake Wobegon.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 02/15/2007 @ 1:55pm

53. Posted by KATAMANTULO 02/15/2007 @ 1:46pm

    That 1988 Republican primary sketch on SNL was pretty good too.

    Al as "Pat" running down Robertson's "list of qualifications for President"..."I started a business, I'm the CEO of a major religious broadcasting network,....I mowed lawns"

    That was classic stuff.

    My point was, humor, Mr Franken's career and forte', is primarily about setting up the subject of the humor for a negative response (as I said, humiliation, even harm).

    Does that play with somebody trying to portray themselves a "serious" and "promoting a positive agenda"???....who knows.

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 2:01pm

54. BTW, is the California 45th Congressional District permanently...

    "Sonny's seat" (as in Bono) and free for Republicans (especially Mary) to lay claim to ad infinitum?

    Posted by Mask at 02/15/2007 @ 3:20pm

55. Hey John Maach:

    Thanks for your "enlightening" pseudo-history of MN politics. I know I only LIVED and EXPERIENCED that hellish 2002 election unlike a genius like yourself with your Monday morning quarterbacking. All I can say is LOOK AT ANY reputable political analysis whether it be left, right or neutral and see who they consider to be the MOST VULNERABLE incumbent in 2008 and Coleman is at the TOP of those lists. Coleman is now trying to appear more moderate as a result of the Democratic sweep in 2006. Yes, as a former DFLer, Coleman was able to get some DFL votes in St. Paul because he was seen as a good mayor, but it certainly isn't enough to consider him a safe bet for re-election. Your assertion that Coleman was elected with support from both sides either VERY IGNORANT or an OUTRIGHT LIE (a typical tool of the right). Klobuchar won running on a liberal platform of opposing the war, econommic justice, and universal healthcare. Maybe you need to check her website!!! And as to the the RED HERRING of Klobuchar's dad working for the Star-Tribune, Jim Klobuchar hadn't worked at the Strib for years and the paper was under different ownership than when he worked there. Your insults about MN in general and the DFL in particular reveal an unhealthy obsession or something worse about you. All I can say is let's see it all unfolds, but I know where the SMART money is.

    Posted by lams712 at 02/15/2007 @ 3:48pm