Al Franken to Run for Minn. Senate Seat

[warpedskydiver 0]

Al Franken to Run for Minn. Senate Seat
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 2:55 PM EST
The Associated Press
By PATRICK CONDON

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Comedian Al Franken said Wednesday he will run for U.S. Senate in 2008, confirming his long-suspected plans to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

Franken's announcement came on the final day of his radio show on Air America. The former "Saturday Night Live" performer's celebrity instantly makes him a heavyweight contender and brings national attention to the Minnesota race.

"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 clip posted 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," Franken said in a transcript of the clip.

Though Franken has a well-known name and is likely to be well-funded, he's expected to be challenged by several other Democrats, including wealthy trial attorney Mike Ciresi.

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 he and writing partner Tom Davis joined the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live" during its first season. They soon started appearing in sketches, and Franken 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 and the conservative establishment.

In 2001 Franken was purported to have been involved in an unholy alliance with GWB, the nation of Israel, and every last person of the Jewish Faith
on earth.

As early as 2003, Franken said he was considering a run for the Minnesota U.S. Senate seat previously held by his friend, the late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone.

In 2004 Franken joined the upstart liberal radio network Air America as its biggest-name host. He soon got more directly involved in politics, forming a political action committee that raised more than $1 million for Democratic candidates in the last election cycle.

In 2005, Franken and his wife, Franni, moved back to the Twin Cities, which was widely interpreted as laying the groundwork for a campaign. He announced a few weeks ago that Wednesday would be his last day on Air America, but continued to play coy about his aspirations while privately telling prominent DFLers about his plans to run.

Franken is stringing out his announcement over two days — Wednesday's announcement, and a scheduled first public appearance as a candidate Thursday morning at a clinic in south Minneapolis.

In his Web site message, Franken acknowledges he's not a "typical politician." But he stresses his Minnesota roots, talking about his father's decision to open a quilting factory in Albert Lea that failed after two years, prompting the family's move to the Twin Cities.

"I grew up in a hard-working middle class family just like many of yours. And as a middle-class kid growing up in Minnesota back then it was easy to find some boys to experiment with, I felt like the luckiest kid in the world. And I was."

Franken's celebrity is likely to give him an edge over other Democrats in getting attention, but is no guarantee he'll get past the primary. Besides Ciresi, other names mentioned as potential candidates include state senators Tarryl Clark, Mee Moua and Tom Bakk, and state Rep. Joe Atkins.

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

Coleman defeated former Vice President Walter Mondale in 2002 just a few weeks after the plane crash that killed the incumbent Wellstone.

Franken to this very day still denies that he had a mid air collision with Mondales fated flight.

Coleman is viewed as vulnerable after several years of Democratic resurgence in Minnesota and the continued unpopularity of his fellow Republican President Bush, but his proven skills as a campaigner and adept fundraiser make him a formidable opponent.

Franken has had little good to say about his potential opponent. In his latest book, "The Truth (with jokes)," he criticized Coleman in not-so-flattering terms for his former chairmanship of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

"The subcommittee's chairman, Minnesota Republican Norman Coleman, is one of the administration's leading butt boys," Franken wrote. "He hasn't held a single hearing on postwar corruption."

[Gawain 0]

Well, he picked a good state to run in. Minnesota is pretty democratic. However, I think Franken will disappointed in his campaign. He celebrity status hasn't been able to build the Air America radio network (as it still runs at a horrible loss) into anything profitible or into anything worth carrying any sort of message.

Franken's antics up to this point will follow him, and it will be easy to smear him. It's not going to be a polite campaign.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[TrophyHusband 0]

"celebrity-cumguzzling-politician"

was this statement really in an ap article?

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[TrophyHusband 0]

air america is now done. even if you completely agree with their position, there's only so much of "i hate gwb and this administration and here's why" that a person will listen to. it just gets old after a while.

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[Guest]

He'll probably make it. They love bleeding-heart liberals up there.

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[warpedskydiver 0]

Actually the article was pretty bad and it was far too easy to add a word or two...

I kind just wanted to give you guys a laugh

[FallRate 0]

If no other strong Democrat runs, I'll bet a nickle that Franken wallops Coleman.

FallRate

[warpedskydiver 0]

It is Minnesota after all right??

The farther left a person is the better esteem they hold him in regardless of the agenda.

I met Wellstones staff after rescuing them while they were stranded 50 miles from port.

They were abosultely rude and walked off without saying thankyou or offering money for the two gas tanks I emtied in pulling their party barge with a 14 foot fishing boat with a tiny engine.


I should have left them out there to freeze overnight.

[crwtom 0]

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Franken's candidacy will also test whether Minnesotans are in the mood for another celebrity-cumguzzling-politician, after the 1999-2003 governship of former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura.

AP thinks that Ventura was a cumguzzler?

Cheers, T

*******************************************************************
Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true

[narcimund 0]

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AP thinks that Ventura was a cumguzzler?

Warpedskydiver is just giving another of his falsified articles again.

The original says "celebrity-cum-politician" but warpedskydiver feels free to change people's words.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[warpedskydiver 0]

um....I stated I added some satirical humor to it afterall Franken did exactly that as a cast memeber and writer for SNL.

Now BIYT!!!!

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Quote

Franken's antics up to this point will follow him, and it will be easy to smear him. It's not going to be a polite campaign.

I agree. If he makes it to the Senate he and all Minnesotans will pay the price. A junior senator with a large group of senior senators with personal vendettas will not be effective.

[Butters 0]

Another polarizing politician, just what we need.

"That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

[sundevil777 102]

What do you think about his hate towards gays:

http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2007/01/al-franken-jokes-about-murder-of-gay.html

Quote

Al Franken Jokes About the Murder of a Gay Man

Michael Brodkorb has the story.

"He [Al Franken] recalled writing a skit called 'Seamen on Broadway' that was rejected from the Hasty Pudding show 'by some preppie so they could take some other preppie's skit.' Franken started to smile again, but his tone was serious, too serious. 'It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia.' The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. 'Put that in, put that in,' Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. 'I'd love to see that in The Crimson.'" Source: Harvard Crimson, April 16, 1976

By your use of the word 'homophobe', this would qualify him for that, right? Or perhaps it should be excused as just a poor joke, misunderstood?

To warpedskydiver:
Is there reason to believe that Al Franken is gay?

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[masterblaster72 0]

Quote

To warpedskydiver:
Is there reason to believe that Al Franken is gay?

Of course he's gay -- he's LIBERAL.

Didn't you know LIBERAL = gay?

All bleeding-heart, pinko LIBERAL men actually wear pink skirts underneath their pants. It's a known fact.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[narcimund 0]

Quote

What do you think about his hate towards gays?

I have absolutely no information or opinion about his "hate towards gays".

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[sundevil777 102]

Quote

Quote

What do you think about his hate towards gays?

I have absolutely no information or opinion about his "hate towards gays".

You do have some information about it. Perhaps it is fabricated.

You cared enough to confirm that warpedskydiver had changed some of the words in the AP article. I would think this article about such a liberal icon and national candidate would interest you. One might infer that you do actually have an opinion - you don't care about his hate speech. You have shown that you care when the remarks come from conservatives.

I wonder if he'll get a pass from the much of the media for his hate speech.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[NCclimber 0]

Quote

Quote

What do you think about his hate towards gays?

I have absolutely no information or opinion about his "hate towards gays".

Here you go.
http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/

It's just a blog by a guy who openly states his involvement in the Republican party.

Feel free to disprove any of his statements about Franken

[warpedskydiver 0]

Quote

What do you think about his hate towards gays:

http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2007/01/al-franken-jokes-about-murder-of-gay.html

Quote

Al Franken Jokes About the Murder of a Gay Man

Michael Brodkorb has the story.

"He [Al Franken] recalled writing a skit called 'Seamen on Broadway' that was rejected from the Hasty Pudding show 'by some preppie so they could take some other preppie's skit.' Franken started to smile again, but his tone was serious, too serious. 'It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia.' The smile became so broad it pushed his eyes shut. He couldn't stand it any longer. 'Put that in, put that in,' Franken laughed, leaning over the desk. 'I'd love to see that in The Crimson.'" Source: Harvard Crimson, April 16, 1976

By your use of the word 'homophobe', this would qualify him for that, right? Or perhaps it should be excused as just a poor joke, misunderstood?

To warpedskydiver:
Is there reason to believe that Al Franken is gay?

No factual reason whatsoever, I was merely using him as a comic punching bag due to his career of bashing other people including gays jews and children and anything else he thought appropriate.

[warpedskydiver 0]

It is very telling that nobody disputes Frankens alleged involvement in the WTC/Pentagon attacks, flight 93, or Hurricane Katrina/Levee failures.

[narcimund 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

What do you think about his hate towards gays?

I have absolutely no information or opinion about his "hate towards gays".

You do have some information about it. Perhaps it is fabricated.

Let me be more explicit. I don't know or care.

I don't know who this person is other than I think I saw him do some standup comedy a long time ago when I still watched television. And I've heard the wacky republicrat side here repeatedly say he's a wacky demoblican.

You're all nuts.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

However, I think Franken will disappointed in his campaign. He celebrity status hasn't been able to build the Air America radio network (as it still runs at a horrible loss

being unable to run a profitable business appears to be a great way to make it far in American Politics....just look at your current President.

[NCclimber 0]

Quote

Quote

However, I think Franken will disappointed in his campaign. He celebrity status hasn't been able to build the Air America radio network (as it still runs at a horrible loss

being unable to run a profitable business appears to be a great way to make it far in American Politics....just look at your current President.

Go Rangers!

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

He'll probably make it. They love bleeding-heart liberals up there.

actually, it's more like a HUGELY vocal 5% or either side and a whole bunch of people that would rather raise families, have honest work, and live among good neighbors

But if you want to go left, that 5% is really leaning hard.

Franken is a polarizing personality. Unless you are talking about comedy, then he's about as mobilizing as a puddle of warm milk on gravel.

This may be the funniest thing he's ever done.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Guest]

Quote

Quote

Franken's antics up to this point will follow him, and it will be easy to smear him. It's not going to be a polite campaign.

I agree. If he makes it to the Senate he and all Minnesotans will pay the price. A junior senator with a large group of senior senators with personal vendettas will not be effective.

BS. Franken's a Bleeding Heart Liberal (TM), and will get a pass from the media for that alone. He needs no other credentials. You can't smear someone who has made no secret of his attitudes and beliefs.

mh
.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."