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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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35

'Informed' Franken Wows Lawmakers

Between Sotomayor and health care, comedian-turned-senator has been busy

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(Newser) – A few weeks into his much-delayed Senate career, Al Franken is already winning plaudits from colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the AP reports. A member of two key Senate committees, the Minnesota Democrat has jumped into hot-button debates—like Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation and health care reform—and co-sponsored six bills. He struck his first victory by partnering with a Republican colleague to create a program pairing service dogs with wounded veterans.

“He'd done his homework. He was very informed,” said GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson. “It was obvious he was trying to hit the ground running.” Fellow Democrat Sen. Tom Harkin called Franken a “quick study” on health care. Franken, who waged an 8-month battle with incumbent Norm Coleman for the seat, said, “I’ve got a lot of work to do. I've got to get up to speed very, very quickly, so I'm focused on that.”

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., works in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 31, 2009.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., works in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., questioned Sonia Sotomayor during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., questioned Sonia Sotomayor during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., works in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., works in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., the newest member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, smiles on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 13, 2009.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., the newest member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, smiles on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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He'd done his homework. He was very informed. It was obvious he was trying to hit the ground running. He appears to be trying very hard. - Sen. Johnny Isakson, (R-Ga.),
on Al Franken

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35 comments
VIEWING:
 
Forderon
Aug 1, 09 4:55 PM CDT
LOL this almost sounds like an Onion story Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-11
IN RESPONSE:
Forderon
Aug 2, 09 11:13 AM CDT
9 thumbs down?? Seriously, get a sense of humor people. The title has the word informed in quotes and the summary mentions Franken doing well at things that every Senator should be doing anyway. Hence, it reads like an Onion story.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
DeniseVB
Aug 2, 09 11:20 AM CDT
Actually, it was 15 thumbs down, but I thumbed-up ya. I thought it was funny.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Aug 2, 09 12:25 PM CDT
I was on the fence, but I'll give you t/u to balance all the knee jerk t/d you got. Franken was dished and dismissed by most of the media for far too long. If he'd been treated seriously and fairly the election would not have been so close, IMO.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
timeandagain
Aug 2, 09 12:41 PM CDT
you just hurt the stupid liberals' feelings... they don't "get" jokes (i.e. they take Al Franken seriously). they just cry like little babies and give thumbs down. then they pout and go to their rooms.
Vote up! Vote down!
-6

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