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

[cheisdead]

Cool - A Clown Czar!

[Snerdgronk]

How does that compare with a Halliburton Czar ... ?

SNerd

[PepeLepew]

Sorry, fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann has that title.

[PiscesPrincess]

Finally ! He's in DC and ready to work. We expect great things from him. He should do well.

[PhilipTaylor]

Second that comment!

[liberal54]

I'll third that comment!

[slowhand0728]

Glad to see Franken is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. Better than the rest of the bums up there right now!

[PhilipTaylor]

Besides Single-Payer Healthcare Reform make this happen:

Obama's SEC and/or Holder could simply arrest G0LDMAN and others for "Manufactured Insider Trading!"

Others for Misrepresenting products as LOW RISK "AAA" when they were HIGH RISK!

These are both Fraud Charges that are on the Books and many will qualify as Felony Charges.

These LAWS could be enforced Today or Tomorrow!

Chef Martha paid for something far less Catastrophic and Calculated!

[Snerdgronk]

The Martha thing was really cooked up ... Eh?

Snerd

[PhilipTaylor]

No the cooking is that NO ONE on Wall Street has been arrested to date!

[Hopeington]

We can only hope

[PhilipTaylor]

Office of Comptroller of Currency, OCC, Report:

JPM has Astonishing $88 Trillion in Toxic Assets/Debts!
JPM has 225,000 employees
JPM has $391,000,000 per employee in Toxic Debts/Assets

Goldman has $30 Trillion in Toxic Debts/Assets
Goldman has 27,898 Employees
Goldman has $1,075,345,903 per employee in Toxic Debts/Assets

BofA=$38Trillion in derivatives
Citibank=$­32Trillion in derivatives & 300,000 Employees
Goldman=$30Trillion in derivatives & 27,898 Employees
Wells/Wach­ovia=$5Tri­llion in derivatives.
Britain's HSBC=$3.7T­rillion in derivatives.

[sabredance]

Can you give the links for this?

[Tobias G]

being the 60th Dem may not mean much with corporate owned Dems in positions of power, but being one of a very few competent, intelligent Senators will definitely go a long way towards moving Washington into some kind of sense

[Nova16]

Al looked very presidential.

[Snerdgronk]

Ooooo ... Now that's very enticing ...

Snerd

[PiscesPrincess]

Yes. In 7 years.

[DennisMM]

He's already admitted he'd fail as Pres in his novel, "Why Not Me?"

[vendetta]

"I'm ready to get to work." The best one-liner heard from a politician in a long time, especially a Democrat. Our new comedy writer/Senator is really going to bring something to Capitol Hill.

[Snerdgronk]

Yes! ... Comments from those with 'i(R)ony deficiency' ...

Snerd

[marxmarv]

Ben Franklin was a writer and satirist. Wanna pi55 on his grave too or just play tug-of-war in a game you're not even part of?

[jozzie]

Franken graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in Political Science.
He'll do just fine.

[Harlock415]

Well, at last a Senator who has a pair. Here's hoping he can be a voice to get things done.

[OhComeOnNow]

Congrats, Al!!!

We hope this is the first of many terms, Senator.

[Layman23]

Senator inhofe said "We are going to get the clown". I suggest to the senator that he watch the movie "V for Vendetta". He will realise who the clown is.

[PepeLepew]

If Inhofe wants to look at a clown, he should look in a mirror.
Isn't he the guy who said global warming is impossible because God would never allow it to happen?

[PiscesPrincess]

That's what Rethugs Do best. look in the mirror and then project what they see there onto others who they perceive as beneath them. lol. tinfoil and Alice in Wonderland.

[Jazzman323]

Unfortunately there is no "global warming" so Inhofe is right whether you like him or not. The last thing our economy needs now is to flush good money down the toilet for a non-existent threat.

[somsoc]

Senator Al Franken, now that does have a good sound to it. Congratulations Senator, and best wishes.

[lynettema]

Here, here!

[Andrew Shapter]

I fell asleep as Senator Reid was (slowly) speaking. I hope I get to see Franken's comments when I get more coffee.

[Snerdgronk]

Yes, Harry doesn't speak so good ... I've heard he's a better 'read' ...

Just tryin' to be both frank 'n kind ...

Snerd

[Decipherer]

You seem like a "Frank-n-Furter" sorta guy.

[vendetta]

"so WELL"

[Decipherer]

I think you mean "Harry doesn't speak so well,"

No sugar tonight . . .

[katocat]

Hurray for Al!

[jozzie]

Next up: Senator Alec Baldwin.

[Gumby123]

As if we need more entertainer tools to be elected by the unwashed, televised masses.

[Happylib]

Gumby, rage and cynicism don't go well with your green skin tone.

[AnthonyVolpe]

I assume you didn't vote for Reagan?

[tanbo]

Just as soon as he gets done yelling at his daughter.

[jozzie]

low

[lynettema]

I'll bet Baldwin is the ONLY parent to have ever yelled at his child.

[rektruax]

She probably asked for it...