Paul Krugman: Franken "A Big Policy Wonk," Will Raise Senate Discourse

New York Times:

... First, implicit in this characterization of Franken is the notion of the Senate as a decorous gentlemen's club. I doubt that club ever existed in reality; but in any case, these days the World's Greatest Deliberative Body is, not to put too fine a point on it, chock full o' nuts. James Inhofe: I rest my case.

Second, Al Franken's dirty secret is that ... he's a big policy wonk. [...]

So what will Franken do to the level of Senate discourse? He'll raise it.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[jmpurser]

I have VERY high hopes for Senator Franken and I think Krugman has nailed the reasons why. First, the man is intelligent and has really immersed himself in the nitty gritty details of how America works. Second, our current batch of Senators has set the bar pretty low as far as who's "good enough" to join.

[taddles]

Couldn't agree more with this column. Those who don't know Franken only know his SNL background. Those who do know him know his passion for politics and and public policy. Treat him like a clown at your peril, he will make people laugh while he is mopping the floor with you. Inhofe, prepare to get your arse handed to you.

[Jesster]

Write on taddles and Krugman. Al Franken is nobody's fool (especially not the likes of idiot Inhofe.) And those who underestimate him, not only do so at their own peril, but add to that peril with their arrogance and foolishness.

The R's have become the new masters of "misunderestimating." (Though to be perfectly honest, pretty much everyone outside of Illinois underestimated Obama.)

Franken has many things going for him. For starters, he does his homework and knows the issues inside and out. Secondly, his brilliant "wit" will only enhance his ability to OUTWIT those who sell him short or see him as an easy mark. I believe that he is beholden to no one and will not suffer fools gladly.

[HeartT]

Comedians tend to be well informed and people oriented. Besides, you can't make people laugh at themselves if you don't have a really good handle on facts and figures. I venture to guess that Franken will be a more productive senator than most simply because he will study the bills he's given to vote on. Go Franken. It's time we put intellegencia back into our politics.

[BBinMT]

You're right, Heart...think Jon Stewart.

[chessy]

I agree! I listened to him as a host on Air America and he was way on top of the issues. I am happy to see someone with brains in the senate. Most of those old coggers need to give it up and go home. They're just doddering around; lining their pockets with campaign contributions from all teh special interst groups.

[Tuckerndfw]

Al Franken is a lot smarter than most senators. Which begs the question as to why he wants the job.

[oldsoulroller]

It will be nice to have someone of Mr. Frankens’ intelligence, humor and humanity in the Senate. Is to be surely a upgrade from the pompous, and paid for so-called, conservative democrats that are disabling the more populist, pro-labor, liberal agenda. Give them hell Al!
— Stephen Morgan

[judesuper]

News flash for the repubs. Franken is a Harvard educated mathematician. You need to be very smart and quick on your feet to be a comedian.

Unlike graduating from the Naval Academy 4th from the bottom! I can't wait for Al to shake things up!

[CessnaDriver]

Actually, graduation from the Naval Academy in any class position is quite an accomplishment. They only give out engineering degrees.

[amistad]

They also award Medical degrees to those who graduate 4th from the bottom of their class, but I would not want one of those students as my doctor.....

[schatsie]

It's not an accomplishment if it was purely a legacy thing...You know the White Boys Legacy Club...

[Icantbelieveher]

Why do you think they hate him? They see anyone who is educated as being scary, because college-educated people tend to vote for democrats!

[ropadopa]

I read the article in my local paper and was taken aback by the nasty tone Broder adopted towards the Senator. After all Border has never taken this line with obvious dim bulbs who led the GOP over the last 30 years. He thought Reagan was brilliant, George H. Bush was great and Dubya was nothing short of a genius.

[schatsie]

Wow, that is a real indictment of Broder...Probably liked Quayle too...Sounds like Broder is just another member of the Good Old Boys Legacy Club.. YOu know the one where your parents get you in without qualifying....

[Whinger]

Unlike some of his critics, Franken has actually got a brain that is very intelligent.

[nick1936]

Al was a MATH major and Wonk at Harvard I am sure the Senator from OK . is afraid he can't match that .

[judiNJ]

The senator from OK doesn't know any better.

[talkingdog]

He's got lots of enemies going into it.

The Dems don't want to be seen as too close to him either.

He'll have to put his head down and work hard.

He'll have to vote carefully.

He'll have to make sure his Minnisota voters know he's working for them.

Keep the laughs to a minimum, don't even be seen laughing for a while.

[Tracy Hale]

I love how the gop think he's just a "comic"...

Man, are they in for a huge disappointment, especially when Fraken starts his own ethics committee!

Go Al, Go!!!

[KevinFletcherTweedy]

What Americans should be demanding of their Representatives, Senator and the President is "sunlight"! Open up the visitors logs, the campaign contribution and lay bare the workings of political life that these 536 folks live. THEN, pass complete public funding of campaigns (with not a dime coming from "special interests"!) and one day we might have truly representative government. IMHO :)

[RickCoMatic]

My take on why the GOP kept the money going to fuel Coleman's litigation and keep Franken out, is because with Senator Franken Present the GOP won't be doing much more in private.
Senator Franken will become disturbed at some others shenanigans and let it be known to the Media.
They ought to hook-up some Red and Blue flashing strobes to Senator Frankens desk. No more operating over the limit without getting pulled-over and getting a ticket.
I can't wait to see him in action.
C-SPAN could go Pay-per-View.

[schatsie]

Sure could...I have to figure out how to tape the man...

[raker]

David Broder works for that former newspaper that's trying to raise funds by selling its services as a procurer for Washington lobbyists and government officials. Who in his right mind reads David Broder?

[OlongapoEd]

Democrats in Name Only, for one. ;-) Oh, wait, you said "right mind"...never mind!

[poco767c]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HfcrqXtxOM

Geek is the new Cool and Franken is a huge geek.
Here he is drawing the US from memory.

[njgal4obama]

That was way cool! I'd have shelled out more than that for it!

[Opygollopy]

Wow that was incredible.

[MontanaSouth]

I was sad to hear Senator Franken say he has lost his sense of humor. He's going to need it to maintain his sanity over the next six years. Listening to him talk policy is very enlightening. He really does have a passion for helping the middle class. A solid progressive!!!

[WorkingClass]

He was joking.

[MontanaSouth]

LOL. I know. I just finish reading Lies etc. He really is fed up with the "media". Senator Franken of Minnesota. Sounds so comforting.