Open Discussion: Al Franken wins Minnesota Senate race

Long overdue.  But then I voted for him in the first place - and how long ago was that now ???

Wow.  Only one more level to go.  *pants*

I think Minnesota has now joined CA in having had more than one top level elected state official from the entertainment business.  The wrestler wasn't bad.  I'm hoping Franken will do well in the senate.

CA has had a pretty poor experience with celebrity public officials at the top level.  We've had George Murphy, Ronald Reagan, and now Ahnold.  Of the 3 Ahnold seems to be the best qualified for the job.  That's damning with faint praise.

Jimmie Davis, early country music star and author of "You Are My Sunshine" was governer of Louisiana twice with about 20 years between terms in office.  A lot of folks say he wasn't a bad governor although his 60s term was marked by overt racism.

A wrestler isn't known for wit and smarts and sophistication.  Our wrestler was just out for millionaires like himself keeping their money.

Franken is a wit - like getting Mark Twain.

So I'm thinking that you're thinking, Peter, that Franken's wit will help him out in the Senate? How?

Check out yesterday's Today's Question at mprnewsq.org. The question was "How has the Senate dispute affected your faith in the electoral process?" And today we get a ruling. Could the timing be any better?

Also, check out my boss Julia Schrenkler's post from what seems like ages ago about folks' feelings about the recount.

Its nice to know Repubs wasted millions in trying to delay this deal in order to have more control in congress. When will they ever be in favor of helping this country instead of themselves?

Let's be constructive here, and not tear each other down.

The election proved that we need a state wide standard that every county and township must follow. Also mechanisms to prevent fraud, at the very least picture ID and/or DL

Of course they will spin this into a theft by Franken.

Sore losers.

This is what the American voter has come to... we just elected an immature, moronic clown to the Senate. Good job people.

They did it in 2000 !

Apparently you include yourself in that block of voters

Wow... a photo capturing a split second of a facial expression. For the record, Bush had extensive experience in politics going back to the early 1970's. He managed his fathers Presidential run (a success the first time around), was twice elected as Governor of the largest state and twice elected as President. There is nothing wrong with people from non-political backgrounds serving in politics, but based on his books, Franken comes off as intellectually dishonest or stupid. Your pick.

Let's check some of the literary genius from Al Franken:

"Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations"

"Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right"

Eliza, anybody who would have "Thank You, President Bush" in his name, would, of course, be very disappointed with the seating of Senator Franken.  Don realizes that Senator Franken will be a tremendous asset to the Democrat party, and that disappoints him.  Senator Franken is a staunch liberal and advocate of those less fortunate.  Hopefully, Senator Franken will not let lobbyist money pry him from his ideology.  Senator Franken's victory to the Democratic Party goes beyond just being the 60th vote.

Let me begin by saying that anyone who writes a book  called "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" is my kind of guy.   Rush Limbaugh hoping that the President fails, thus hoping that the American people fail defines idiocy.   Mr. Franken , you were right.  You hit the nail directly on the head before many of us even knew of Mr. Limbaugh's idiotic tendencies.  (Lloyd - Proud Democrat.

As Republicans continue to lick their wounds after loosing their majority in the Congress,  loosing the White House, loosing the majority of Governorships and now the Senate, they have no one to blame but THEMSELVES.

Their mantra of tax breaks for the richest of Americans and the richest of American companies have been fully rejected by the majority of American people. In layman's terms, the people don't like you.

Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief, religion or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself.  Nevada Senatro John Ensign and South Carolina Senator Mark Sandford define hypocrisy.  You are well aware of what I'm talking about.   That is why the people don't like the GOP.

Now let'sget back to our newest Senator Al Franken from the great state of Minnesota.  Mr. Fraken did his due diligence.  He personally talked to the people of Minnesota.  He spoke with the farmers in an attempt to understand the many issues facing them.  This is not some freak of nature victory.  It was a hard fought victory against the incumbent, Norm Coleman, someone born with a Silver Spoon in his mouth.

For a close contest that consumed nearly eight months with vote counts, re-counts and courtrooms, the race for Minnesota’s second Senate seat ended in a flash.

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Democrat Al Franken won the election, sweeping aside Republican Norm Coleman’s appeal. Coleman conceded within hours, pulling the plug on a bitter contest.

By evening, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the election certificate for Franken.

Let me conclude by saying that I used to give advice to those on the Right in regard to what they need to do to become relevant once again.  I've now come to the conclusion that no advice can help them.  The Republican Party is a dieing party.  One that is dysfunctional.  One that offers no real alternatives to the policies the rant against by President Obama.  One that clings on to the failed policies of the past not realizing that we on the left have run over you like newly paved asphalt.

Best of luck to you in the future, but now that we have a Super Majority in the Senate, there is very little you can do other than to "Open Your Clenched Fists When We Extend Our Hands Out To You".

Let me begin by saying that anyone who writes a book  called "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" is my kind of guy. 

Ditto!

"Don - Really? A person can't write satire?"

I understand your point, but seriously, Al Franken never grew to be a man. He has two modes: immature sarcasm or agitated liberal. He is not Senate material. I don't see how this liberal trend can last with Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and so many other far left liberals... and topping it off with Al Franken. You liberal folk are going to have a short run with your majority. But hey, that's just my opinion -- what do I know?

BTW, Eliza... I like your style. From reading this article and your comments, I can't tell what side of the debate you're on. That's a good thing -- and rarely seen these days. The industry needs more people like you.

Thanks, Don! Oi, it can be difficult to remain politically neutral, but I'm glad you recognize that I'm trying!

Great discussion, everyone. Thanks for that!

"Mr. Fraken did his due diligence.  He personally talked to the people of Minnesota.  He spoke with the farmers in an attempt to understand the many issues facing them.  This is not some freak of nature victory.  It was a hard fought victory against the incumbent, Norm Coleman, someone born with a Silver Spoon in his mouth."--Lloyd C.

Lest we forget, though, Lloyd, the kind words Franken spoke about both campaigns at the news conference outside his Minneapolis home at which he announced his victory. Watch a video of that conference here. If I'm not mistaken, he said something to the effect that a victory of that small a margin means both sides fought extraordinarily hard, and both deserve respect.

So, what about what this means for the future of the Senate? With Franken's position on the Judiciary Committee, do you believe it will have any affect on the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court?

 

Lots of new information right now on MPR NewsQ:

Share your perspective with MPR News and the Public Insight team: Today's Question Today's Question: What's your message for Al Franken?

Keep your eyes on Bob Collins' News Cut blog for fresh ideas and conversations about the upcoming events as Franken prepares to go to Washington. Also, don't forget to check in with the MPR political team at the Polinaut blog.

Check out this Gather post by MPR's Paul Tosto about predictions of what Senator-elect Franken might mean for the country's economy: Frankenomics.

Full coverage of Franken's rally as well on the NewsQ homepage.

Eliza Hartley "So, I've been hearing tell of a potential "filibuster-proof majority"... What do you think Franken's election will mean for the Democratic position in the Senate?"

While it makes legislating a bit easier it is still not a solid deal seeing as we are counting on Sen Lieberman as one of those votes.

I wouldn't count on him voting in the Democrat caucus.

I've worked on Franken's campaign in a very small way as a member of Al's Grateful Volunteers, a music group that had played for a few rallies for Al and the DFL here in Minnesota.

I've spent some quality time with Al and Franni over the past two years. They attended one of the band rehearsals (check out the pictures on my Gather page).

I've seen how hard the Franken's have worked. I have heard them speak in public and private, and they are passionate and caring and genuine.

I have done so little in working towards Al's election, yet I have been the recipient of such kindness and consideration from our Senator-elect.

He is kind, smart, passionate hard working and has his personal integrity intact. Having written extensively about politics, he knows how the game is played.

We are very lucky to have such a quality individual representing us in the Senate.

I love his hard hitting books. He is not like your typical Democrat, he fights back.

Sounds like people either love 'em or hate 'em.

Eliza-

As to Franken's election results, it's a close outcome but I think the guy with the most votes should get the job.

As to Franken's books, well, Rush Limbaugh IS a big fat idiot, so where's the problem? Limbaugh just blamed Obama for Sanford being unfaithful to his wife, even though Sanford started the affair long before Obama was elected. WTF?

As to the Dem's getting a filibuster-proof majority, well I am not so sure that they did. The Dems are idealogically diverse, unlike the Republicans. Getting all 60 of them to vote for something like Cap and Trade is a stretch, and if one of them finks out, the Republican filibuster will succeed. I have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach, frankly.

I agree that a democracy should be allowed to work the way it is meant to, and the person with more votes should win an election. All I meant to say was that, as Franken acknowledged in his press conference at which he announced his victory and congratulated Coleman on a well-fought race, in a victory that close, both side worked incredibly hard.

i think garrison keillor shoulda run

Richard Owl Mirror and Chris W. - I also heard on All Things Considered Tuesday (or yesterday...I can't beileve I've forgotten already!) that with such diversity in the party, and with two independents that caucus with the Dems, it's difficult to guarantee that all 60 will vote the same way on a given subject.

Interesting point you bring up about Senator Lieberman, Richard Owl Mirror. Some people believe that the Repubs are very disorganized at the moment--you believe that the Dems are just as much so, Chris W.?

Great documentary of the Senate race from MPR's Mark Zdechlik live right now and online! It's the noon hour of Midday.

Can someone explain something to me? Way back in November when Norm was ahead by 200 or something, he made a statement saying that Al should just "let it go". Why didn't the media jump all over him for that when Al took the lead? We might've saved 6 months of agony. Come on, Norm. Why didn't you practice what you preach and let it go?

I listened to the election documentary on MPR today.  However, I was disappointed not to have heard any description after the election about the accusation concerning the $75,000 and Mrs. Coleman and a Texas Coleman supporter.  Clearly the accusation was important in influencing the outcome (as would any element of the election, particularly one occurring days before the vote).

What do you know about what proceeded the complaint after the election?  Have legal steps continued re a possible crime?  Or was this allegation just a "dirty trick"?  I also wonder why MPR's documentary would not have pointed out the after-election handling of the alleged impropriety.

Hi Tom - I was listening too for a bit to the documentary today on Midday. I was only able to hear the first half, but what I heard Mark say was that that just kind of fizzled out--it made it's way into a debate just before the election, and then both sides just kind of dropped it. Here's the archived audio, if you care to listen for yourself. Does that answer your question?

It answers my question all right.  In other words, Franken is guilty as charged by Sen. Coleman's campaign.  It was a dirty trick.  So why isn't THAT news???  Mr. Franken wins an incredibly close election by pulling a dirty trick (i.e., a false accusation) four days before the election.   I presume  honorable Franken supporters will now feel betrayed by "their guy" -- doing anything to win.  That's not the way elections should be turned.