Al Franken enters Minnesota Senate race

[mcpeepants]

Al Franken enters Minnesota Senate race

By PATRICK CONDON, Associated Press Writer 47 minutes ago

MINNEAPOLIS - Al Franken announced Wednesday that he will run for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously as a political figure.
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Franken said he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record) and immediately acknowledged the doubts voters may have about electing a former "Saturday Night Live" performer.

"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 on his Web site.

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

Franken's announcement came on the final day of his show on the liberal radio network Air America. His decision instantly makes him a serious contender and brings national attention to the race.

Franken had been considering a run since 2003. He said several weeks ago that he would leave Air America and privately told prominent Democrats about his plans to seek office.

His name is well-known, and Franken is likely to be well-funded, but he's expected to be challenged by several other Democrats, including wealthy trial attorney Mike Ciresi. Franken said he would abandon his campaign if Democratic activists decide to support another candidate in the primary.

The race will be important to Democratic efforts to retain the slim Senate majority they secured last year.

His candidacy will also test whether Minnesotans are in the mood for another celebrity-turned-politician, after the 1999-2003 governorship of former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura. Ventura's fame and occasionally outrageous behavior regularly brought national attention to the state but wore on the patience of many Minnesotans.

Stephen Hess, a professor of political science at George Washington University, said Franken's bid is serious. "He's not doing this as some folks have done it to give them better gigs on the Borscht circuit."

Coleman is viewed as vulnerable because of a Democratic resurgence in Minnesota and
President Bush's unpopularity. But his proven skills as a campaigner and fundraiser make him a formidable opponent.

State GOP Chairman Ron Carey suggested Franken moved back to Minnesota when he smelled opportunity and will have a tough time connecting with voters.

Franken is "going to have to explain to Minnesota how he represents his values when spent he pretty much all of his adult life in New York and Hollywood," Carey said.

Franken said he supports universal health care, greater efforts to find alternative energy sources, and stronger congressional oversight of the executive branch.

Franken, 55, was born in New York City but grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park. He graduated from Harvard University in 1973, and in 1975 joined the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live" during its first season. He soon began appearing in sketches and remained a fixture on the show well into the 1990s.

In 1996, Franken took his career in a political direction when he wrote "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations," a broadside against the conservative radio host and other figures on the right. He's since published several other books critical of Republicans.

In his latest book, "The Truth (with jokes)," Franken criticized Coleman for his leadership of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, saying Coleman had not held a single hearing on
Iraq war corruption.

Franken planned to make his first public appearance as a candidate Thursday at a Minneapolis clinic.

[Teabagger]

He couldn't make it as a comedian, actor, author, or radio host...so he probably does have a shot at getting elected as a Senator...what a knob job.

[singern]

I am getting tired of entertainers who want to shove there political views down our throats at any cost, and they honestly believe we give a flying squirrel what they think.
I loved Al Franken on SNL, I also enjoy the music of Dixie Chicks but I dont give a rats ass what there political thoughts are. And dont even get me started on bloated head cases like George Kloony.

Sorry didnt mean to rant.

[Logan13]

Even before all of the assets from Air America are auctioned off, he releases this.
The Facts About Al Franken
http://www.mngop.com/RPM%20Research%...%20Franken.pdf

[Tock]

I'd love to see Rush Limbaugh try the same thing.
I'd pay good money to see him debate Al Franken, for sure, especially after the lubbing he got from Letterman . . .

[Logan13]

I'd love to see Rush Limbaugh try the same thing.
I'd pay good money to see him debate Al Franken, for sure, especially after the lubbing he got from Letterman . . .

Franken and Limbaugh are 180 degree opposites and they both sit on the far side of each of their respective parties. I could not see either of them winning a political race.

[spywizard]

idiot, well we gave Jessie Ventura a shot, so why not..

[Tock]

Franken and Limbaugh are 180 degree opposites and they both sit on the far side of each of their respective parties. I could not see either of them winning a political race.

Maybe so, but Limbaugh is a weakling when it comes to debates -- he can't hold up to critical cross-examination of his blather. If a simple TV comedian can skewer Limbaugh, no doubt that just about any garden-variety politician could do the same.

[Logan13]

Maybe so, but Limbaugh is a weakling when it comes to debates -- he can't hold up to critical cross-examination of his blather. If a simple TV comedian can skewer Limbaugh, no doubt that just about any garden-variety politician could do the same.

I guess that I am in the dark about that which you are referring to...........

[Tock]

I am getting tired of entertainers who want to shove there political views down our throats at any cost, and they honestly believe we give a flying squirrel what they think..

I felt the same way about Anita Bryant back in 1977.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Bryant
http://www.brumm.com/gaylib/anitabryant1977_2.html

[singern]

I felt the same way about Anita Bryant back in 1977.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Bryant
http://www.brumm.com/gaylib/anitabryant1977_2.html

Yeah she was a great example, Im not sure she could cure homosexuality , but her ugly ass might just cause it.

[Logan13]

Yeah she was a great example, Im not sure she could cure homosexuality , but her ugly ass might just cause it.

this lady wanted to cure homosexuality?

[DTBusta]

well dam logan if you wouldn't want to see either of them win a race because they are both on the extreme part of each party then I agree. But these people are winning the psychological war of their readers and listeners only opening the door to each insanity. I want to see people legitimately in the middle, I'm sick of this extreme partisan bull-crap. The right-wing leftwing parties for the most part see the same overall picture, but they need to meet in the middle, thats where prosperity and a deascent amount of peace are.

[DTBusta]

Ted Haggert was cured......?

[Forza Mentale]

well dam logan if you wouldn't want to see either of them win a race because they are both on the extreme part of each party then I agree. But these people are winning the psychological war of their readers and listeners only opening the door to each insanity. I want to see people legitimately in the middle, I'm sick of this extreme partisan bull-crap. The right-wing leftwing parties for the most part see the same overall picture, but they need to meet in the middle, thats where prosperity and a deascent amount of peace are.

It would do this country an injustice to be governed by either the polarized far-left or far-right. Yes, moderate politicians would make for a more productive governing body. But the problem is with defining "moderate", remember that being moderate means that almost everyone will find something that they do not like about your politics. I see Lieberman as one of the most moderate politicians, he's socially liberal and yet conservative on finance and world affairs. I think that Clinton was a moderate as well.

[DTBusta]

Yes I don't like Lieberman. It seems that any moderate, Lieberman, or clinton have awfully close ties to zionist funding. Bother speakers for AIPAC int he past..

[spywizard]

this lady wanted to cure homosexuality?

yep, she failed and now the human race is going to die out