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Al Franken Considering Senate Run

By Jeralyn, Section Elections
Posted on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 07:41:53 AM EST
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According to the Associated Press, liberal radio show host Al Franken is considering a run for the Senate against Minnesota's Norm Coleman.

Coleman and Bush are friends. It was Bush who suggested Coleman run for the Senate against Paul Wellstone, who was killed in a plane crash in October, 2002, before Election day.

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    Al Franken Considering Senate Run | 46 comments (46 topical)
    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#1)
    by glanton on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 07:54:06 AM EST
    This is a terrible idea. Minnesota voters are famously even-handed (ever hear of the term 'Minnesota nice'? And as far as that goes, I'm not a Coleman fan, but I find him to be one of the more moderate GOP water carriers, overall. If they're gonna beat Coleman they need someone a heck of a lot more like Wellstone and less like the mirror image of Ann Coulter, which we have already healthily established Franken to be.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 07:57:17 AM EST
    Why not? I will vote for him. But just check out who he is up against, do you think he can win? Go, "Al"

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#4)
    by desertswine on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:04:24 AM EST
    Well he's good enough... he's smart enough... and doggone it, people like him.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:05:06 AM EST
    mirrors give off reverse images, coulter lies, franken tells the truth

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:15:50 AM EST
    I find him to be one of the more moderate GOP water carriers, overall. Really? Isn't Coleman the guy who called for Kofi Annan's resignation with no evidence that Mr. Annan had specifically done anything wrong in the Oil for Food deal, but has ignored every Bush administration corruption scandal from Iraq? That said, I am not a big Al Franken fan and am certainly not sure he should be running for Senate. Every stupid thing he says -- and there will be quite a few -- will be fodder to enflame the conservative Red Menace throughout the country. Leave him on Air America being unfunny in the afternoon.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:18:35 AM EST
    I'm not a big fan of Franken, but I'd vote for him, just for the "stir the pot, shake things up" factor. If elected, I don't think he'd be bought by special interests, which is all I ask for from a Dem. or Repub, though there probably isn't a Dem or Repub in Washington who hasn't been bought. We could use one.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#8)
    by glanton on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:34:40 AM EST
    Poppy: Don't mistake my comment for anything other than comparative by nature. I mean, when you've got people like Frist, Santorum, and Thume in there, Coleman doesn't seem quite as demagogic, does he? Re the Annan stuff, that campaign was going to happen no matter who got appointed to the chair of the committee. The anti-UN climate in this nation has reached a fever pitch. kdog and others: The question is not whether we who post on this site would vote for him: it's whether Franken's candidacy would cast a big enough net to overtake Coleman. Re Wellstone's death, and Coleman's subsequent victory: Come on, y'all. That was the Dems' fault; they turned the man's funeral into a political rally and the Minnesotans didn't like it. Can't say as I blame them. Wellstone was a hero to many in that state, as well as to me personally--the man cast some damn lonely votes during his career; he deserved better.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:51:53 AM EST
    Although I don't have a vote - living in Chicago - I would love to see Al giving speeches in the Senate. It would defintely be a breath of fresh air.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:52:03 AM EST
    Not really a new story; Franken's been talking about this for a long time, including on his Air America show.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:55:28 AM EST
    The anti-UN climate in this nation has reached a fever pitch. Although off topic here, glanton hits home with a very good point here. The fact that Coleman would still use such harsh rhetoric and when comparing him to some of the others could be consider somewhat of a moderate indicates the ferocity with which many regard the UN. It seems like we need someone else to blame other than ourselves so many have adopted the UN. Now though can there be true moderates? The with us or against us mentality has forced many moderate/centrists further right.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:58:55 AM EST
    As has been said, I'm a fan of Franken as a radio talk show host, but not really as a serious liberal politician. That being said, Norm Coleman is one of the top 5 GOP sleazeballs in the Senate right now and needs to be removed.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 09:12:02 AM EST
    If The Exaggerator can get elected Al Franken can be considered a serious liberal politician

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 09:43:30 AM EST
    ugh. the comment above is pretty much true. which is just more evidence that the end of the world is nigh. al franken is funny. but he's got more of a knack for inflammatory rhetoric than he does for policy and diplomacy. i guess it depends on what you're looking for in a senator.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:02:27 AM EST
    Glanton...I think Franken could win in Minn., as posted above they elected Ventura, they seem to like a maverick.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:02:46 AM EST
    Oh, yes, please, please, please. I mean, some dumb-*ss thought they should get a carpet bagger in against Obama, it'll be good to see it swing the other way. -C

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:04:31 AM EST
    al franken is funny. but he's got more of a knack for inflammatory rhetoric than he does for policy and diplomacy. i guess it depends on what you're looking for in a senator. First they have to get elected. Do you think the rightwing Republicans consider any of those issues. Franken has been politically active his entire life. He might be too left for you but his political experience puts him miles ahead of various Republicans now in office

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:05:47 AM EST
    Franken ..homestate is Minn and he has been active there for years another kneejerk and wrong statement from Planet Cliff --often wrong never in doubt

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#19)
    by glanton on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:08:08 AM EST
    Cliff is right about the Keyes parallel, and I'm not just saying that to get his recipe. Look, y'all. In the South, if the Dems send anybody up there to the left of Strom Thurmond, they're toast. Everyone knows this. So when it comes to a winnable state like Minnesota, you find someone who doesn't come with miles of inflammatory baggage. Someone who the voters will see as reasonable. Ventura was a different deal: he captured voters' imaginations in a way Franken cannot, polar as he is. I mean, we really need to focus when seats are up in places like Main, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, etc. We can win those!

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:12:08 AM EST
    Coleman is a sleazy ***-during the debates with Mondale he refused to discuss his opposition to abortion saying it was personal. Well if it's too personal he shouldn't be in an office that is setting public policy. This is not the first time a Franken candidacy as been discussed and if the DFL inspired state can elect Ventura they can elect Franken. Coleman should not have been elected in the first place - a campaign of voter suppression and depresion from the Wellstone death is the only reason he is there.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:38:01 AM EST
    glanton's opinion is obviously factless Franken did more in Minnesota for the Democratic party than the gov of NC did in his state He has been considered a serious candidate for public office going back a long time. He was a close friend of Wellstone and has a long relationship with the DFL

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#21)
    by glanton on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:57:59 AM EST
    Well, maybe I am wrong about this. I guess we'll find out if he gets the nomination.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 10:58:44 AM EST
    anonymous, al franken has shown no talent for diplomacy or a reasoned approach to a problem. and that's what i want in a senator. even barbara boxer, calling condi rice out for lying, did so with a modicum of respect and professionalism. but franken? i can see him saying, 'you're a big fat liar!' instead of 'dr. rice, you contradicted the president in that statement'. he might even sing the 'liar liar pants on fire song'. which would be satisfying, and funny, but ultimately destructive for the democrats. as someone who is awfully darn tired of chicken little politics and snark fests presented as 'debate' (and i truly believe that i am not alone), i hope franken loses. big. we should never engage in political practices just because our opponents engage in them (Do you think the rightwing Republicans consider any of those issues) they are still wrong, and you do not have to fight fire with fire. franken = limbaugh! limbaugh = scary! *sigh*

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 11:09:49 AM EST
    The Exaggerator Girly Man -anyone who opposes him at any time The Three Stooges (people who oppose his current budget) Perhaps you should consider the voters as people who want to be entertained. And maybe a little straight talk might be a good thing for condiliar

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 11:23:40 AM EST
    I'd be happier if Franken had been on the local school committee, or mayor of a town before going for Senator. Does he have any political administrative experience? Of course he has every right to run. Whether that turns out to be boom or bust for the Dems i guess depends on the Sharpness and timeliness of his wit when packaged into soundbytes. Perhaps Al should "Buff up" and try a few rounds in the wrestling ring... On the other hand, we've got a few political jobs in Mass. (like govenor) that I invite Mr. Franken to run for. You just don't seem to have to be that smart to hold public office and so he's as good as the rest of them. (He can do shots and molest waitresses at the Harvard Faculty club with Ted Kennedy!) What really pisses me off, however, is the question of why a conservative can spout the most anti-social, anti-government rhetoric and be thought to deserve coronation, while any way out liberals are seen as needing "re-education" and perhaps medication.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#25)
    by Peaches on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 11:44:38 AM EST
    I live in Minnesota. I voted for "the Bod." I was a Wellstone supporter. I believe Wellstone was assassinated. I'd vote for Al Franken. Must be the cold weather.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 12:42:10 PM EST
    "Well he's good enough... he's smart enough... and doggone it, people like him." hehe Run Al, run! It would be an interesting campaign, and I would bet more sober than one would imagine. Al's a very smart guy and I think his campaign would contain some entertaining comedic moments. I would venture that those moments are astute barbs at the expense of his opponent rather than anything juvenile.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 12:44:02 PM EST
    Trouble is, the Democrats in Minnesota don't have anyone else in the hopper here. The leadership in the party is so enthralled by money and glamor and big names that they consistently overlook anyone whose name isn't already well known. There are all sorts of very qualified folks - most of whom are women - that will never get a chance because the idiot male offspring of the Humphrey, Mondale, and Dayton families have a lock on it. And when some newcomer *does* get a sceond look, it's because they're of the far left variety who never win. So we're in trouble, and if Al decides to do it, more power to him. Oh, and for a very short time, you can still see the orthodontic miracle of our time on the internet: The before and after pictures of Norm Coleman's formerly gapped-toothed smile at: http://www.milnardds.com/enhanced_smiles/featured_smiles/page_3.html Warning: it's kinda gross. MO

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 12:49:21 PM EST
    If Big Al's dustup with O'Reilly on CSPAN is any kind of harbinger, a FrankenforSenate campaign should be real amusing.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#29)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 02:23:53 PM EST
    I'm with Jonathan. It's not the prospect of a Franken campaign that interests me. It's the thought of Franken being given a stage on the floor of the Senate. For those who don't think Franken has enough grounding in policy, I'd recommend you actually read any of his books, even "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot." They're crammed full of policy discussion. But Franken makes his living as a humorist, so they're presented satirically and sarcastically. I saw Franken at a book signing once. Maybe he was having a bad night, but he was surly and combative--to an adoring audience. There's a chance he doesn't have the right disposition for governance. But he's sure as hell call the opposition on their b*llsh*t.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#30)
    by jimcee on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 02:42:02 PM EST
    Run, Al, Run..... Please, please, please.....

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#31)
    by cp on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 02:49:34 PM EST
    one good thing about franken in the senate, it would be the first time we had someone in office who was being intentionally funny! kelite, how exactly does someone respectfully call someone else a liar? if i'm calling you a liar, i am, by definition, not being respectful. franken doesn't need to have previous elective experience, it didn't stop bush from becoming president. i don't count being gov. of texas, he did nothing while in office for two terms.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 03:40:21 PM EST
    "Re Wellstone's death, and Coleman's subsequent victory: Come on, y'all. That was the Dems' fault; they turned the man's funeral into a political rally and the Minnesotans didn't like it." This has been conclusively DEBUNKED as a $R-Rove myth. You can read the debunking in Franken's book Lying Liars, which has the quotes that demonstrate that the people (at Fox) who started this rumor WEREN'T EVEN THERE. The one speech (out of several hours of speeches) that was over-politicized, and the few people who booed a $R speaker, did not characterize the event in any way, shape, or form. Beyond that, the $R politicize EVERYTHING. Shamelessly; yet they constantly call 'for shame' to the people who are shocked at their brazen theft of power. Coleman's win was undoubtedly VOTE FRAUD, just like Schwartzenegger, and just like Bush's two. The only other way $R win these elections with THOSE policies is by illegal redistricting. Seen yesterday: STEAL ONE ELECTION, GET A SECOND ONE FREE.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#33)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 03:40:31 PM EST
    So how come they didn't fix Coleman's bottom teeth, too?

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#34)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 04:09:16 PM EST
    cp; i think you can confront someone on their dishonesty in a respectful manner. or, you can just call them a liar. that's the difference to me. i don't think it's inherently disrespectful to point out inconsistencies in the 'story' of our administration.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#35)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 04:28:32 PM EST
    A much more amazing candidate is comedian (?) Joe Piscapo talking about running for gov. of NJ not a joke

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#36)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 05:29:57 PM EST
    You have no balls! Repugs can elect damn near any lunatic, even as president, and you wring your hands over the possibility that Al Franken would WIN? That's why you lose, geldings!

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#37)
    by Peaches on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 05:44:01 PM EST
    We Lose because we are not lunatics, Karl. We'd rather lose than play your game. Balls...You(?)...Give me a break

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#38)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 07:30:42 PM EST
    The ONLY reason we 'lose' is because 28 states currently vote, for the first time in US history, WITHOUT A PAPER TRAIL. Nearly 80% of American voters are forced to register their dismay at the corrupt trend of government by voting without any assurance that the REPUBLICAN-BUSH-BACKER voting company that collects their vote will report it accurately. NOT. We caught them in CA in 2003 vote-flipping; we caught them in Fl in 2004 vote-flipping; and we caught them in Ohio in 2004 pulling out all the stops to prevent a legally-ordered recount (which has STILL not been done). And now Bush and his $R cronies get a lesson in why governing without the express, uncoerced consent of the population is more difficult than it looks. George was having a great evening, hauling Bill's color tv out the patio door, until Bill came home and blew George out into the patio with his shotgun. Initial successes through criminal violations and manipulations of our democracy may come to the sic end of 'sic semper tyranis' at any point. If Bush is smart (he's not) he would follow Nixon's excellent example; and get out while the getting's good.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#39)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 07:43:23 PM EST
    Wow: Al's ego must be working overtime. I couldn't come up with a worse idea if I tried. As much as I love Al, he is so brazenly partisan and so obviously Jewish, that he runs the risk of creating the ultimate self-parody. He could do so much more for the liberal cause by sticking to his comedy and his light political analysis. Still, if he is going to pull this off, if not California, then certainly Minnesota.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#40)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Jan 21, 2005 at 08:19:30 PM EST
    he might even sing the 'liar liar pants on fire song'. which would be satisfying, and funny, but ultimately destructive for the democrats. kelite...You obviously don't remember Harry Truman or any of the old time populist Democrats of decades ago. And that's a damn shame. They were not known for mincing words and that's exactly what is needed to deal with today's right wing thugs in the Senate (and elsewhere).

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#41)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Jan 22, 2005 at 06:07:10 AM EST
    Ernesto - Thing is, Truman was known for telling the truth himself. If Truman's ghost is around he'll haunt you for comparing Franiken to him. Dearest No Name - You gotta admit his movie image fits the state's, at least the northern section, image.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#42)
    by cp on Sat Jan 22, 2005 at 08:15:21 AM EST
    kelite, to me, there is a difference between pointing out the inconsistencies of someone's position vs. calling them a liar. in the former, rational discourse ensues, in the latter, it doesn't. although, i can certainly rationally call you a liar. i believe, at this point, the democrats would do well to stop being so polite, it does them no good. they need to start calling lies what they are: lies. just my opinion.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#43)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Jan 22, 2005 at 02:47:27 PM EST
    Peaches, there was a quote by Nixon that I think the rest of the more sane and progressive of us need to take to heart: "You show me a good loser and I'll show you a f***ing loser." The Repugs and their ilk are going to continually win and remain in power while the progressives are busy to trying to figure out how to get people to like them. Al doesn't let the Repugs walk all over him; unfortunately the rest of his liberal pals are content with being doormats.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#44)
    by Peaches on Sat Jan 22, 2005 at 04:18:28 PM EST
    I am a fan of Al Franken, sherman. I believe in fighting back. I also believe in democracy. Karl Rove is dispicable scum. No liberals have to follow the repugs there to win. And if we did it is better to lose and be called a doormat. You might think Karl is just playing politics with balls, but I think he is a criminal and a probable murderer. I have no evidence to support my claim other than I don't believe Wellstone's plane just fell out of the sky and Karl, Cheney, and others had the greatest motive for taking him out. I usually keep my "tinhat" conspiracy theories to myself. But, just so to let you know where I draw the line in politics. We can win without resorting to Karl Rove politics. And if we lose, so be it. Let it all come crashing down.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#45)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 28, 2005 at 12:14:08 PM EST
    I am not suggesting that we resort to finding the next Karl Rove in our midsts, but that still doesn't detract from the fact that the Fascists masquerading as Repuglicans are much more adept at pipointing the subjects liberals and progressives have a hard time adjusting to when thrown at us. I am not a proponent of the attitude that if our side loses, so be it. There is too much at stake to take such a defeatist and truly irresponsible stance. When the Swift Boat Liars for Accusation Slinging made their now fateful TV ads against Sen.Kerry he should have given them a day to look in the mirror, realize just what they were doing, and take their lies of the air. But instead he pleaded that these attacks stop. With pseudo Nazis like Rove, Cheney, Shrub, et al. you can't politely ask that they behave like human beings. The capacity for empathy and reflection has vacated their respective minds quite some time ago. Instead you call them out, tell the country and the world what a bunch of gutless cowards they are, and demand that if they want to make baseless accusations to say it not through a front group, but in a way that makes them directly accoutable. I agree there was something terribly fishy about what happened to Wellstone. That being said, do you really want to lose to people capable of even gloating over an opponents death? Al Franken is a person that won't come across as a pushover and can construct a well thought arguement. I realize that you aren't disagreeing with the possibility of him running, just that you don't want to fight the way the other side does. I believe that you can not pull punches and still keep the fight mostly clean, but at some point you have to hit back just as hard, if not harder, than your adversary. Not doing so means you weren't ready to tangle with them in the first place and you go home a loser every time. I hope you don't take offense at any of my postings. I am not calling into question your convictions, I just want to get our side thinking about how to be just as adept at street brawling as the fascists controling the country.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#46)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 28, 2005 at 12:19:56 PM EST
    By the way, thanks Peaches for the conversation. I don't want to come across as trying to force a person with whom I am sure I have much in common with into not holding to their core beliefs.

    Al Franken Considering Senate Run | 46 comments (46 topical)