On his final Air America radio show today, comedian and political pundit Al Franken announced that he is going to run for a U.S. Senate seat in his home state of Minnesota. He'll be seeking the Democratic nomination for next year's election; whoever gets that nomination will run against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman.This isn't exactly a surprise, since all the signs were there: he moved his family back to Minnesota last year and decided to end the Air America show. Both pointed to his intention to run. But his presence is going to lend national attention to that race, meaning we'll probably be hearing much more of the humorless pundit version of Franken than the witty comedian we actually came to like over the last twenty-five years. Oh, and don't put it past Minnesotans to vote him into office; he's a much more serious a candidate than Jesse Ventura was, and you remember what happened there.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-14-2007 @ 4:38PM
TRIPLEDAWG3 said...
I AM REALLY GLAD HE IS RUNNING.........
THIS WAY HE WILL KNOW WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THINK OF HIM....... JERK JERK JERK AND THIS WILL TELL HIM SO
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2-14-2007 @ 6:56PM
Bob K said...
AL Franken didn't "decide to stop doing " Air America.Why don't you tell the truth.That station had no money,no listeners,and virtually no sponsors.It survived for the short time it did with donations from far out lefties.Why is it so hard for you to say that?Makes one wonder.Just another example of how the public can't get the truth from the media.When not only a radio show but the entire station can't get sponsors you would think people would be able to admit why...instead of coming up with one lame excuse after another.Enough already!
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2-15-2007 @ 2:41PM
Bob said...
Amazing! I am sure both people listening to Air America were ecstatic that he is running. Another blowhard democrat to join the heroic team of Pelosi, Boxer, Kerry and Kennedy. Since Air America is in bankruptcy proceedings....I wonder how long before he morally bankrupts the Senate.
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2-15-2007 @ 10:31AM
jessica said...
I think it is fabulous that he is running. He has no agenda other than to truly fix things. The man already had a stable, successful and visible career. And he so obviously cares about that which he speaks. I personally would love to see the debates. He will crush any opponent, and even though debate is intended to be informative and not entertaining, I know he will make politics interesting again. If I lived in Minnesota, he would have my vote.
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2-14-2007 @ 6:22PM
Matt said...
Maybe we can get Dennis Miller to run against him.
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2-14-2007 @ 8:05PM
Ray said...
I'm glad Al is running. Maybe C-Span will be worth watching! I've read a couple of Al's books, and enjoy his insight to the political landscape. He has upset the conservitives, but they always get upset when someone tells the truth and exposes them for the shallow Johnny one notes that they are. Ok, maybe two notes would be more like it.
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2-14-2007 @ 5:54PM
LC said...
Ventura's campaign was based on his being the alternative to republicans and democrats. This appealed to Minnesotans and he gobbled up the undecideds and the moderates from both parties.
Since Franken is going for the democratic nomination, it will be a race drawn on party lines. He is too far to the left for that region. If the democrats want to win they have to put up someone a little to the left of center, not all the way off the ledge.
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2-14-2007 @ 6:45PM
Curt said...
Cool but um, isn't this TV Squad Daily?
Last I saw Franken on TV was a late night showing of Stuart Smalley Saves his Family.
Just curious...
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2-14-2007 @ 7:58PM
Adam Rakunas said...
Dear TV Squad-
Please continue running stories about Al Franken. I don't get enough reactionary sputtering during my daily surfing, and Franken's campaign will bring that in spades. Thanks!
Love and kisses,
Adam
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2-15-2007 @ 1:22AM
Daniel said...
He actually announced his intention to run for the senate during the documentary "Al Franken: God Spoke", which was made early last year.
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2-15-2007 @ 5:42AM
Cee Rubin said...
A few funny things in this post that were all mentioned in th ecomments before me. Just one other thign to note...
people actually LIKED Jesse Ventura, he was a loveable charachter as opposed to Franken, who is so pathetic he makes Dennis Miller seem like Lucille Ball.
Oh and Franken is a Jerk.
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2-17-2007 @ 1:38AM
Preston said...
I predicted that Al Franken would run for political office. He will make a good senator for Minnesota as well as Washington. He has an outspoken candor and has really chewed up the Bush administration in recent books he's written. He's going to make the debates interesting with his humor and outspokenness.
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