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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 OPINION 
7

Don't Expect Laughs From Sen. Franken

During campaign he was wonky and even a bit boring

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(Newser) – Liberals may be hoping for biting wit and conservatives for embarrassing shtick, but according to Bob Benenson of CQPolitics, Al Franken is likely to disappoint both when he finally arrives in the Senate. Throughout his campaign Franken displayed an impressive mastery of Minnesota issues and made clear his candidacy was not a lark. Some Dems even began to think of the SNL star as boring.

Ex-athletes like Jim Bunning have not rolled into the Senate chamber wearing cleats, nor did John Glenn take his seat in the upper house wearing an astronaut's uniform. Franken will be no different, Benenson writes; for those seeking amusement, "we'll have to rely on other politicians' tacky sex scandals for the laughs."

Democrat Al Franken, with his wife Franni at his side, speaks with the media outside their home in Minneapolis, Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
Democrat Al Franken, with his wife Franni at his side, speaks with the media outside their home in Minneapolis, Tuesday, June 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Brian Peterson)
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of Franken in the Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman nearly eight months of recounts and courtroom fights in Minnesota's Senate race.
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of Franken in the Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman nearly eight months of recounts and courtroom fights in Minnesota's Senate race.   (AP Photo/Andy King)
Al Franken won the most votes in his 2008 Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman, but a dispute over the result dragged on for months.
Al Franken won the most votes in his 2008 Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman, but a dispute over the result dragged on for months.   (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
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7 comments
VIEWING:
 
drlarrymitchell
Jul 1, 09 6:09 AM CDT
Al deserves a standing ovation when he arrives in the Senate. Reply
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+7
ClearSight
Jul 1, 09 7:56 AM CDT
Nope, a one finger salute should do... Reply
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-5
IN RESPONSE:
DarkFrancis
Jul 1, 09 8:19 AM CDT
"Is 'ClearSight' being offensive?" Nope, just an eejit. Franken is rightfully elected, and will acquit himself well. Just because you're blinkered and still licking your wounds from the caning you received in November is no reason to go on some blind attack. The GOP is dying and its decline is typified by people like you, the ones who refuse to acknowledge the pustulent mess of your own ideological failures.
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+3
paul123
Jul 1, 09 10:27 AM CDT
I didn't expect laughs from him as a comic, why whould I expect laughs from him now? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
sache
Jul 1, 09 12:39 PM CDT
Wish Franken nothing but the best. The people of Minnesota as well as the rest of us deserve the best he has to give. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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