Al Franken Interviewed On "Today Show" About Coming To The Senate (VIDEO)

Asked by Meredith Vieira on the "Today Show" if it was difficult to ignore his penchant for speaking out and keep a low-profile while the recount and appeals processes in Minnesota dragged on, Senator-elect Al Franken replied, "Fortunately I lost my sense of humor right away. (laughing) So I didn't have a problem... Minnesota has a real process here. Minnesotans should be proud of our process. It's thorough; we can say that. It's transparent. And our election officials acted with incredible integrity. "

Reflecting on the extraordinarily close result of the election (out of 2.9 million votes cast, Franken won by a margin of 312 votes), he acknowledged that he's "very conscious" of that fact and realizes a lot of Minnesotans didn't vote for him.

Franken reiterated that he doesn't see himself as the 60th Democratic senator but rather as the second senator from Minnesota.

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Comments

[ozwald888]

Franken is a VERY smart man.

I like that he is keyed into his position as the SECOND SENATOR from Minn., instead of the 60th Democrat. This shows a HUGE difference between Democrats and repugs. We've seen for the last 30+ years how the GOP believes they are repugs first and Americans second. We've watched as members of the GOP constantly work for what is in the best interest of their political ideology first and, what is in the best interest of the USA runs dead last for RNC politicians.

Franken is the exact opposite!! He cares more about the nation than he cares for the USA. He's proven this every time he joins with the USO and heads to a war zone in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Al Franken will be a great Senator!!!

[charon]

The Repubs know he's smart. That's why they regard him as dangerous and have fought so hard to keep him out of office. The Republicans are, by and large, anti-intellectual. They prefer simple-minded people who act based on prejudices, traditions, and cliches. Democrats, acting more on reason, are seen as a threat to the prejudices Republicans hold dear to the point of worshipping them. The Reactionaries aren't going down without a fight to the bitter end.

[Bongborg]

We all know why the Republicans hate Al so much... Stuart Smalley cut too close to the bone for the ones of them that promote themselves for public service.

[slvrfox857]

I've always loved Franken. Sometimes his humor goes a bit too far, but he is always smart, and always does his homework. But now I'm extremely disappointed in his lack of cleverness. In his interview he couldn't come up with anything better than the worse than cliche' "I'm most concerned about hitting the ground running and getting the job done?" Is his campaign manager a football coach, or what?

[AllAmericanAmericanBoy]

Don't discount the possibility that he said what he meant and he feels no need to impress.

Al is no longer an entertainer, but I trust his wit will shine for years to come.

[jimmy2shoes]

He had a sense of humor?

[Wiseup2Day]

He already has a dissaproval rating of 56%....he'­ll be out in 2010..what a joke..excu­se the pun.

[Beaucat]

Senators' terms are six years, so Franken will be around at least until the 2014 elections. Sorry to disappoint you.

[fiduciaryatlarge]

You may want to do what your name suggests. Incorrect spelling, wrong facts (not one but two), and improper punctuation, in one line of typing is quite a feat. Aren't puns supposed to be funny?

[Teslawriter]

Hey *SSclown, 'er, I mean, Wiseup2Day,

Did you really mean to say this?
"He already has a dissaproval rating of 56%....he'­ll be out in 2010..what a joke..excu­se the pun."

Uhm...hate to break it to you, Einstein, but U.S. Senators have SIX YEAR TERMS. Which means that Al Franken won't be "out in 2010"--he'll be a Senator at least until 2014. YOU will be "out in 2010" but Franken will still be in the Senate (barring any Neocon foul play--knock on wood three times).

Perhaps your local community college offers a class in American gov't.? That might help you "Wiseup2Day," you know? In the meantime, here's something from "Lawforkids" which may be a little more "accessible" for ya:

http://www.lawforkids.org/speakup/view_question.cfm?id=13105

And thanks for providing this morning's comic relief! ;-)

[gado184]

Wise, maybe no has told you but senators are elected for a six year term. How do you imagine he will be out in 2010? Get a clue. Who is the joke here?

[jackbutler5555]

Do you remember where you got the data on Franken's approval rating? What was Coleman's at the time?

[ChillUpMyLeg]

He's serious and he should be. Good.

[957]

Another democratic comedian in the senate

[Bongborg]

Ok, tell you what, find a Republican with a sense of humor that doesn't involve someone being tortured as part of the joke. No, wait, just find one who can tell a joke without sounding like SuperLamer.

[WriteStuffHere]

'Bout time. Welcome to democracy, Senator Franken!

[ChicagoSuz]

I'm glad Al Franken will finally be Senator... after all, "he's good enough, he's smart enough & people like him." ;-)

[AllAmericanAmericanBoy]

Doggone it !

[phylliscooper1]

I am proud of Senator Franken and Minnesota.

[Cybersquirt]

It's about time Coleman concedes. He should have heeded his own sentiment 4 months ago!

Congrats, Al! Er.. Senator Franken! ;)

[cobobs]

Al, always smart, humorous and humble, a much needed combination.

[mesmorize3]

Congrats Al!

[peacechants]

Almost seven years ago, all eyes were on the Senate race of Senator Paul Wellstone. In the wake of the defection of Jim Jeffords, the White House hand-picked Norm Coleman to attempt to unseat the populist Wellstone. But Coleman still trailed Wellstone late in the campaign. On October 11th, Wellstone voted against the President’s war on Iraq, despite a dire personal warning of "severe ramifications" from Vice President Cheney.

As the result of his vote, Wellstone’s popularity soared. Then tragedy struck. Just ten days before his probable re-election, Senator Wellstone was killed in the mysterious crash of his small aircraft. On October 25, 2002, the American people suffered the loss of a leader for peace and justice. Some folks harbored suspicions. And some remember how the media blamed the weather.

As a progressive, I hope Senator Franken in some way is able to pick up the mantle of the late Paul Wellstone in his futherance of peace and social justice - concepts not embraced by the Bush supporter, the former Senator Norm Coleman.

[DBtv]

Wellstone was mur der ed.

[RadicalRuss]

How about we just keep Senator Franken off of small aircraft? And Texas.

[ChristineFromMn]

whatever it takes...

[rongoat]

Funny the title of this article: "I lost my sense of humor." I was thinking the same thing. I'm ecstatic that he was elected, but when was the last time you heard him utter anything even remotely funny? I was hoping he'd bring some humor to the stodgy Senate.

[doublehelix68]

Hasn't got there yet, so just wait and see.
BTW, have you seen some senators lengthy diatribes on CPSAN, talk about hilarity.

[Osusuki]

I'll be happy if he just brings himself to Washington. I want to see him draw that freehand map of the United States in three minutes while making his point on the Senate floor.

[johngary66]

I doubt that it will be long before Al's expert use of satire and irony will deflate a lot of hot air in the Senate. Anyone who has read his books knows there are rethugs in the Senate who are going to regret what they say out loud in front of people. The smart rethugs, if there are any, are going to just shut up and vote. You go AL!