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Al Franken Considering Senate Run

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2006
Posted on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 07:53:43 AM EST
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Air America Radio Host and comedian Al Franken is moving his show to Minnesota, where he will decide whether to challenge Norm Coleman for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Al Franken wants to be a senator.

"I'd rather be part of [the process] than commenting on it," he insists. But he pauses, shrugs indecisively, a boyish chuckle follows. "I think. I don't know. That might be part of the calculus of whether I go for it or not." Whether Franken will "go for it" in 2008, against freshman Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, remains to be seen. "I can tell you honestly, I don't know if I'm going to run," Franken continues, as we now sit 41 floors below his studio, in the skyscraper's courtyard. "But I'm doing the stuff I need to do, in order to do it."

Does he have a chance? Former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi thinks so.

"He has national reach; his name and who he is will attract small contributors and large contributors from all over the country, so a lot of little folks too," says Democratic strategist Joe Trippi, who managed Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign. "In that way he's like the Dean campaign because he's really somebody that can energize not just Minnesota but around the country, to get involved and contribute."

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    Al Franken Considering Senate Run | 45 comments (45 topical)
    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 08:12:05 AM EST
    I'll be surprised if he wins. Happy, but surprised.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#2)
    by nolo on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 08:23:41 AM EST
    If Minnesotans could elect Jesse Ventura, the least they could do is elect Al Franken.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 08:25:03 AM EST
    Can't say I care for some of his politics, but he'd be a welcome breath of fresh air in that stale old body, assuming he could retain his sense of humor.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 08:52:57 AM EST
    If he can still find time to write his books... I'm kind of indifferent toward his radio show, though I think Air America is important. As long as they don't replace him with Springer, they should be fine.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 08:57:53 AM EST
    I think he could win, and I agree w/ jpaul, he'd be a welcome breath of fresh air in the senate. We need more people in there, both liberal and conservative, who aren't career politicians and have new ideas.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:06:57 AM EST
    Yeah, he's got about as much chance of winning as Terri Schiavo does!!!!

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#7)
    by nolo on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:07:20 AM EST
    Hey!!! I like Jerry Springer just fine. His politics and heart are in the right place, and he's an articulate guy. As for his show, well, I know it's made him damaged goods as far as any future candidacy is concerned. But after having spent some time watching his show (as well as the second-rate ripoffs like Jenny Jones, et al.) during a convalescence three years ago, I came to see it less as shock theater, and more as a very interesting variation on the age old morality play. Sure, all his guests are people who engaged in shocking and titillating behavior, but an important part of the whole show is the audience's vocal condemnation of the behavior at issue. And unlike Jenny Jones, he never seemed purely exploitative of his guests. Just my two cents-- not meaning to derail the thread, though.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:10:27 AM EST
    A Simple Premise: Children are not born to hate, they are taught to hate. Our leaders know this. Unfortunately, more often than not they use this knowledge in the worst possible way. http://gunstreetradio.com/europe_lovelove.htm Free streaming audio and lyrics of the song everyone who is passionate about politics should hear.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:16:13 AM EST
    Well, the Repubs will have one safe seat. Should be a fun thing.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:16:30 AM EST
    What are you hoping to hear from President Bush this evening?

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:25:20 AM EST
    jim, franken is funny, intelligent, self-deprecating, popular, insightful, creative, imaginative, and i could go on and on. he's made a solid living off of nothing more than the power of his mind and creative abilities. keep thinking he'll be beaten easily, go ahead. but in a debate, or any side by side comparison, a guy like franken will win every time. as long as he doesn't get the yips and play it safe, water down his message, or listen to consultants in general. however, i could make an equally strong case that he could make MORE of a differene on the outside, commentating. he'd have more freedom, less constraint in debate, and a spotlight easily stolen in DC.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#12)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:37:50 AM EST
    ...and doggone it, people like him.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#13)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:46:09 AM EST
    desertwine, nice topper. i handed you that one, baby. sounded like i was trying to saint the cat. sheesh.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 09:54:36 AM EST
    Wonder if Franken will hire Randi Rhodes to do his radio ads.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#15)
    by Kitt on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 10:10:10 AM EST
    Martin - Ya gotta learn how to use the buttons, man. Love Love, Hate Hate

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 28, 2005 at 10:31:55 AM EST
    dadler - Well, that's your opinion of his abilities in comedy. Some share it, many don't. At best he will enter into the race with name recognition. Unfortunately, he will also have some very negative numbers, which will motivate people to vote against him. I would guess Limbaugh would have some real opportunities for pay back. If he wins, which I doubt, he would be as welcome in DC as posion ivy. Politicans distrust humor greatly, and most can't stand being laughed at. My main bone with him was the phony letter sent to Repubs politicans asking questions about sex for a phony book. Funny is funny, but that was just fibbing.

    Re: Al Franken Considering Senate Run (