Al Franken Sworn in as the Democrats #60
Franken's in the Senate! Let the "party" Begin
Seriously, will we see Franken, the comedian, or Franken, the serious heavyweight thinker who champions himself to be cut in the mold of his long time friend and mentor, Paul Wellstone, previous senator from Wisconsin, who was killed in a tragic plane crash in 2002? Or will we see a man who will champion President Obama's programs and slower approach to radical change? Perhaps we'll once again see the impassionaed, angry liberal thinker who wrote the book, Rush Limbaugh is a Big, Fat Liar.
Yesterday, Franken said that he 's "ready to get to work" on "education, health care and energy issues." As a progressive Democrat, I know I'm ready for him to get to work too. His presence shifts the balance of power more toward the Democrats, making them a filibuster proof majority if other more moderate Democrats hold the party line.
Whether they will or not remains to be seen, but there is no denying that Senator Al Franken's long battle to get seated as a United States Senator is over. His competitor, Norm Colby, finally conceded defeat on June 29, thus ending the months of wait. Mr. Franken has patiently waited for justice and not stands poised to become a valuable member of the Democratic Caucaus.
His committee assignments are prized ones and I can't wait to hear him in congressional questioning on the hearings on Supreme Court appointee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Harry Reid, Senate majority leader, has appointed Franken to the judicial committee, Indian affairs, Health, Education and Labor, and my favorite, Special Aging Committe..(I didn't even know that one existed!)
Whichever version of Al Franken shows up for the Senate today and begins the serious work the voters of Minnesota elected him to do, I know all of us still savour memories of our Al Franken doing his imitation of Mick Jagger which you can watch here. Don't think less of him, but just admire the comedian at work!
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9 Comments
Post a CommentGood report! Judging from your previous comments, I guess I'm the only one who thinks Franken's team whittled away at Coleman's votes with various reasons until Franken ended up with more. Not taking sides here, but would a regular person running (on either side) have had the time, money, energy and pull that Franken had to bring this off? Still, I'm always happy when entertainment people who want to have a political voice go ahead and run for office, putting their efforts where their mouths are!
I was dancing in the streets that day! I think Franken, after fighting so long, will be a serious senator. With a sense of humor, however, I hope. Woo Hoo!
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Thanks for the article ☺
Thanks for the info... :-)
go franken!
Good summary.
Most news is getting put on the back burner.
this guy's news is sorta getting lost in the airwaves!