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

[motoGpifupleez]

RightWingrs dislike SENATOR Franken (read it and weep RightWingers: SENATOR Franken), because he is smarter than they are. He was always able to use humor to tear apart their "talking points" and "lockstep" mentality.
The addition of a true Liberal into the Senate will be a joy to see. A Senator more concerned with the interests of the people he represents over the corporate interests is going to shake things up.

[noamjunior]

right wingers a jealous of Franken becasue he's good enough, he's smart enoung, and gosh darnit-people like him

[noamjunior]

difference bweteen Franken and the GOP- we are laughing WITH Franken

[llisa]

lol with

[poco767c]

Anyone who thinks franken is 'just a clown' should try and get something published, et alone 5 NYT bestsellers and write comedy for one of the most popular sketch comedy shows in the country.

[Tiberon]

Yes! How many in either the Senate or the House have succeeded in publishing beyond vanity biographies?

Humor actually requires a flexible intelligence. Which is one reason why their are so few conservative comedians.

[EngineerBill]

The thing that people may not realize, is that to be a professional comedian is one of the most difficult professions out there. Just because laughter is a common expression doesn't make professional comedy easy anymore than liking good food makes being a professional chef at a five star restaurant easy. My point is that Al Franken is a brilliant guy. Not just a funny guy. He should serve the state of Minnesota and our nation well.

[jeffrey678]

I like to see politicians from all walks of life. This is America. Republicans beware ! If a COMEDIAN makes more sense than you do in a political argument then your goose is cooked. Count on it ! Ask Norm Colman .

[ohmetoo]

Yes unlike my new congressman T McClintock a serial politician, retread from so Cal where he termed out right into no Cal. A real shame that.

[jimfl]

Broder is one of the old men who should leave Washington to a new generation of reporters. He is just bitter about everything.

[mitsie]

Krugman, now you are aggrivating me. All you ever want is negativity in everything you write. It's really sad that you are never happy nor can you write anything positive. Why don't you run for office?

[EngineerBill]

uh, did you actually read what he wrote?

[Happylib]

Never ask trolls to read the actual material they are commenting on Bill......­their little heads start to spin.

[fredjernig]

I know, but he was being positive this time -- he does that occasionally.

[Opygollopy]

You cant seem to spell anything negative.

[dwright]

Franken, methodically went through Mister Coulter's book and revealed one l.i.e. after another. Completely researched and very well done. He is going to do very well.

[Cambridge9]

The other side of the aisle is terrified of this man. He can make a logical, point by point speech - without notes. Go Al!!

[Estreet1964]

Broder is just miffed that another Washington outsider will be crashing the beltway insiders club. People like Broder don't like to put up with outsiders who just don't understand the way things are INSIDE the beltway or, God forbid, might try to change things.

[smchp]

Al is WAY underestimated by the GOP! He is going to surprise a LOT of people.

[Antifascist-08]

Hear, hear.

The ones who do know him, fear him.

Read his books folks. In the early days of Air America he was a shining beacon in the dark days of re thu g propaganda.

[TJCole]

What is Broder talking, about Al is a brilliant guy super smart he was a math jock at Harvard so will be able to actually understand some of the toughest budget and economic issues not to mention other topics...!

Don't worry Al being a Senator is easy, Comedy is hard...!

[CanadianBeef]

Krugmann is right. Franken is sharp as it gets in politics. His books are not only funny, but they show keen knowledge of the issues, on a par with any progressive I've ever read. Compared to some of the drama queens of the Senate (yes you, Boehner), Franken should indeed raise the IQ of the place.

[fredjernig]

Actually many of these "comedians" know policy really well -- they have to when they write or laugh about it.

[polarcap2]

uh, go back to school - Boehner isn't a senator

[Antifascist-08]

Good point.

Everyone should read his books. No one has taken on Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity and O'Reilly better than Al.