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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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27

Franken: I Can't Wait to Start Work

Senator-elect stresses loyalty to state, downplays Dem. supermajority

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(Newser) – Al Franken said he was “thrilled and honored by the faith Minnesotans placed in me” after the state Supreme Court declared him the winner of the Senate recount, CNN reports. "I'm so excited to finally be able to get to work " said Franken, who added that he got a "very gracious" phone call from Norm Coleman. In his news conference, Franken struck a cordial tone, saying he would stand on principle when necessary but would be willing to "compromise" for the good of constituents.

Franken said he looked at his role in the Senate not as “the 60th Democratic senator, but the second senator from Minnesota.” He also noted that he’s “junior to 99 senators.” The former Saturday Night Live comedian said he had a staff mostly selected to “hit the ground if not running, trotting.”

Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken watches a changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken watches a changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken leaves Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, after attending the Democratic policy luncheon.
Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken leaves Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 10, 2009, after attending the Democratic policy luncheon.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
Al Franken, in a file photo from April.
Al Franken, in a file photo from April.   (AP Photo/Craig Lassig, FILE)
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27 comments
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ClearSight
Jun 30, 09 5:08 PM CDT
He'll do well as another Obama boot licker... Reply
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NovThird2010
Jun 30, 09 7:08 PM CDT
Is it just me, or has the Huffington Post sent its slavish bloggers to stuff the Newser comment boards with absurd liberal/fascist drivel? I used to enjoy these boards b/c there was usually a balance of opinions. But remember, libofascists only support free speech when it's in agreement with their ill conceived ideas.
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2-bits
Jun 30, 09 8:41 PM CDT
Well, infidel, I can't speak for everyone but I personally found this site through Stumbleupon.
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+1
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hamsammichs
Jun 30, 09 9:13 PM CDT
Yes, infidel, the Huffington Post hires 18 year olds to leave facist comments on Newser. What's that? Another paranoid liberal screaming conspiracy?? I don't believe it.
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-4
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Newser001
Jul 1, 09 1:35 AM CDT
Thank G-d the GOP could pull the same bullsh!t they pulled in Florida. The 60th Democratic Senator! Repubes, eat shit and like it. You're no longer in control nor influential.
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