Al Franken has a good answer to the big question.
After waiting his turn, Jeff Hill, 55, places a hand on the candidate’s shoulder. “You’ve spent your life as a comedian,” says Hill. “Now that you’re running for office, how will you keep from crossing the line?” Franken looks him in the eye. “I’ll tell you what a satirist does,” he says. “A satirist sees the hypocrisies and absurdities in the world and cuts through the baloney to get to the truth. I think that’s good training for the U.S. Senate. Don’t you?”
Not a bad line.
Loading ...
When Franken uses the word “satirist,” right there he probably loses about half the people in the state. The more people try to justify Franken as a viable candidate, the clearer it becomes that he isn’t one.
It is a good line but that is what he does. Give lines.
A sharp wit is, no doubt, a good thing to have in the U.S. Senate. However, a better thing would be an ability to accomplish goals in service to the public.
Being a satirist, mocking from outside, is far different from being on the inside, working towards accomplishment. Franken has made his living on the former, and wants us to punch his card for the latter without proving himself capable.
KH:
“It is a good line but that is what he does. Give lines.”
Well, at least Franken actually seems to write his own - which implies some independent thought is involved.
I’m not sure that is true of Norm “I was kinda, sorta against the surge before I was for it” Coleman.
The Solomon-like posturing schtick, which apparently carves out a pseudo-independent position, followed by a collapse back to the party line a couple months later is getting old and predictable.
So, let me see if I have this latest spin correct. Franken speaks truth through satire, so when you cut out the baloney…
He really does think that fags should be killed.
He really does effin’ hate those Republican MFers.
Anyone who has a position that Al doesn’t agree with really is a “butt boy” in Al’s estimation.
Hmmm.
Well that’s all well and good. But I *still* don’t see the “satire”, or the “truth”, in pocketing charitable donations he knew were meant for underpriveledged kids.
Guess his handlers still have some work to do.
A this point the choice isn’t between Franken and Coleman. Ignoring The failures of the Democrats by bringing up those of the Republicans is far more predictable. It is also predictable to dismiss all actual independents as being from the “other” party because it is a hell of a lot easier than the alternative. I didn’t nor would I vote for Coleman no matter who the Democratic nominee may be so it would be nice to have an option I could stomach.
Every last person who supports Franken should be ashamed! Clearly the DFL has better to put forth but since that party sold its soul for donations, I guess this is what we get.
Any lefties want to bet that Al will get the DFL nod? Play like your primaries mean something but it is fact already that Franken has been given the un-official nod by the local DFL.
As a Republican this makes me happy as I am very sure Franken will be as easy as Hatch to defeat.
Angry Al will have his meltdown and MN will reject him and all the lefties here will cy foul and wonder how they lost another seat.
I guess the name recognition thing did not sink in last election cycle when Rowley, Wilde, Wetterling and such were running and were trounced!!
Satire? Maybe Sophomoric Satire…hardly the caliber of say Mark Twain… Much of Franken’s work is using vulgar language and not in a particularly interesting way. Seriously read his books.
Franken’s spin reeks of desperation. This is like saying robbing banks gives you an understanding of the banking industry.
Not quite the right analogy…more like saying if you write a mediocre restaurant review column you have the best training possible for running a five star establishment.
Big Fat K - your party lost its behind in 2006…golly, gee…and why is the GOP having its convention in a BLUE state? Why, oh why? Think Norm will grow his hair out again and become an Independent next time around??? Bush has been running the country like a business and we all know what a failure that is…yes, FAILURE!!!
You have trust issues, Micheal B. Borokorb. Tell me why I should be able to trust you.
Don’t insult me, I want you to convince me why I should switch party lines?
Convince me please.
“Don’t insult me, I want you to convince me why I should switch party lines?”
Tootsie pops and Mountain Dew should do the trick.
Nitro,
How about leaving all parties. You get to come to your own conclusions about each subject on its own merits rather than getting the bad along with the good from either party. Your vote also counts for more since each candidate had to compete for your support rather than take it for granted that you will either vote for or against them automatically because of party affiliation. When you get into the voting booth you can vote Democrat all you like, just make them work for it.
And Kerosene Hat brings us around to arguments made by the original Publius! (not a jab, just a nerdish observation)
Back on target: Is the Senate a stage, or a place where policy is made? I may be a party die-hard, but lets take a look at the people we nominate and see if they would like to govern, or like to be seen.