Franken: "I'm Ready To Get To Work" (VIDEO)

(AP) WASHINGTON — Democrat Al Franken has arrived in Washington offering no jokes _ just a promise that he is "ready to get to work."

The former Saturday Night Live performer and satirist made brief remarks after meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Monday. Franken is expected to be sworn in to the Senate on Tuesday after a protracted, eight-month recount, then finally a concession by the Republican incumbent he beat, Norm Coleman.

Franken spoke slowly from a podium in a Senate corridor packed with press. As cameras clicked rapidly in the background, Franken said he wants to be known as Minnesota's second senator, not the 60th Democrat.

He says he will dive in to education, health care and energy issues.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Democrat Al Franken has arrived in Washington offering no jokes _ just a promise that he is "ready get to work."

The former Saturday Night Live performer and satirist made brief remarks after meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Monday. Franken is expected to be sworn in to the Senate on Tuesday after a protracted, eight-month recount, then finally a concession by the Republican incumbent he beat, Norm Coleman.

Franken spoke slowly from a podium in a Senate corridor packed with press. As cameras clicked rapidly in the background, Franken said he wants to be known as Minnesota's second senator, not the 60th Democrat.

He says he will dive in to education, health care and energy issues.

Comments

[Bob Soper]

Congratulations, Senator Franken!
I have made several small donations to your campaign throughout 2008 & also during the recount.
I understand that you have built up a sizable campaign debt. I would love nothing more than to help you retire this debt, but I'm sure I speak for many others who are disappointed with President Obama's hard shift to the right wing ever since he won the primary against Hillary Clinton... and I believe I will wait awhile to see if, unlike Obama, you've got what it takes to stand up to those corporate interests (banking, military contractors, the extractive & energy industries, health industry lobbyists, etc) who have been destroying our middle class, our environment and our voice in government.
If you prove worthy of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's seat, then I'll do all I can to help you.

[ChareltonHeston]

Send him your money, he will make good use of it. I laugh at the democratic intellect.

[CTtransplant]

Congratulations, Senator Franken!!! It took a while...but there is NO doubt in my mind you are Minnesota's BEST choice of a representative in DC! You will do them proud!

[antaeus]

Of all the silly conversations, this one about Franken being suspect because he was in comedy is perhaps the silliest.

The man is brilliant. Is it possible some don't understand the level of intelligence required to be a successful comic? He left that career behind and spent years engaging in prominent political and policy discourse. He's MORE than qualified than many sitting senators.

[Layman23]

One of Al's best quotes is as follows,

"Republicans run for office proclaiming that the government doesn't work. Then they get elected and prove it "

[Ohioan730]

I watch "Trading Places" at least 3 times a year when it comes on TV and I never noticed that the shorter goofy baggage car guy was Al Franken. LOL! Did anybody else know that?

Congrats, Senator. :D

[bugsbonzai]

I cant stand Harry Reid. What a milquetoast, sad excuse for a Senate Majority Leader. We need someone who doesn't pee his pants every time the GOP drops a pin. Fire and Brimstone, dangit! Force the GOP to ACTUALLY FILIBUSTER, you wimp.

[LeeCalif]

I second that.

Congrats Al !!!

[RickCoMatic]

I doubt there is any way to calculate what it REALLY cost. But, I wish there was a way to know the Botom Line on what the GOP profited having Senator Franken sidelined for the whole Term up to the July 4th Break.
GOP Senator James Inhofe attached 49 personal Earmarks, totaling a whopping $111,000,000.00 -- One Hundred Eleven Million -- personal insults to President Obama'a "No Earmarks, please" Emergency Stimulus Budget.
Having Senator Franken seated and do his part for the President would have saved Obama a lot of the Pork stuffed into the Budget!

[fcsakes]

Take a deep breath and thank you for being here!

[HLL]

From the day Senator Franken was finally declared a Senator from Minnesota I can't stop smiling.

Coleman and the GOP threw all their obstructionist shenanigans at Franken for 8 months -- but he remained calm and steadfast. I'm thrilled he is finally in Washington. Hooray!

Congratulations, Senator. And thanks for saying Americans want a new energy policy that creates jobs, addresses climate change and weans us off dependence on foreign oil. You've got that right. You're off to a great start. Bravo.

[RevDrSchlomo]

Actually I should add.. Franken/Ventura 2016

[RevDrSchlomo]

Franken 2016!!!!

[jazzman]

Haiku for Franken

Votes have been counted
All appeals have been mounted
Al now Senator

[Weirdwriter]

Domo arrigato.

[amorvincitomnia]

go for it al!

[trendier]

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me."
- Al Franken (as Stuart Smalley)

[Tazru]

Finally!

Healthcare and Economy first, but we really need to do some work on the Educational System to prevent more "Tinkle Down" and Ayn Rand mentality.

We desperately need to teach Systems Theory and Comparative Religions in our schools to combat the wilful ignorance in America. ...More Science and Languages too, also. ;)

[cheisdead]

Comrade - so correct - never too young to indoctrinate them in the ways of the party.
Let's put Darwin on their pampers....

[zola77]

Oh great, another nutty right wing creationis­t...please crawl back into your hole.

[Tazru]

Actually I was thinking more along the lines of having intelligent people who know something about the world around them instead of feeding the cults of monotheistic fascists. The churches and corporations don't seem to need any help, the ordinary working people do.

Is Science just another "faith" to you?

BTW. Remember, not all Religions require faith or deities.

[protagonia]

You know so little, yet think you know it all.

BOY are you in for it when it all comes down.

You will not do well.

[protagonia]

Your attitude dooms you now.