Al Franken Sworn In As Minnesota Senator (VIDEO)

(AP) WASHINGTON — Al Franken became a senator on Tuesday, completing the transformation from comedian to politician.

The Minnesota Democrat's swearing-in marked the end of an eight-month political and legal struggle and drew thunderous applause in the Senate chamber. His presence gives Democrats 60 votes, enough to thwart possible Republican filibusters.

Vice President Joe Biden administered Franken's oath, slapping the former Saturday Night Live performer on the back, then embracing him in a full hug. Former Vice President Walter Mondale, a Minnesota native, accompanied Franken. Franken was introduced by fellow Minnesotan and Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

"I think it was Al who told me that the third year of his campaign would be the best," Klobuchar said. "He was right."

Franken arrives in the Senate more than eight months after Election Day. Last week the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Franken's favor after a protracted recount and his opponent, former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, conceded.

In the usually staid Senate, there were plenty of signs something unusual was afoot. The Senate Gallery, rarely full even with dozens of summer tours, was packed with onlookers. After Franken took the oath of the Senate, the gallery erupted in an unusual and lengthy applause that continued for several minutes.

Before the swearing in, Franken learned one truism of the Senate: nothing ever runs quite on time. Several senators read lengthy remarks from a Homeland Security bill as anticipation built for Franken's arrival. Franni Franken, the candidate's wife, smiled broadly and seemed to shift nervously in her seat.

Then, about 15 minutes later than had been scheduled, Klobuchar began her introduction. She said Franken would be a champion of average Minnesotans and played up his middle-class bona fides.

"He's demonstrated to Minnesotans that he takes his new job seriously," she said.

She added that he carried, "the same passion as Paul Wellstone," who was famous for his populist roots. Franken took the oath on a Bible that belonged to the family of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn.

Comments

[discourse jockey]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=110476&title=Al-Franken

[golferman]

They are like magnets to each other.

[Matt7]

Okay I give. That's scary.

[Branimir9000]

Congrats AL!
Does anyone remember Franken and Davis' "Vote for me, Pete Tagliani!"?

[johnie2xs]

It's no "news", to just about anyone who has paid even a modicum of attention, that the Rethuglican ideology, now, is the complete destruction of the Democratic Party. Along with that, it seems their additional desire is to also relieve us of any semblance of Democratic ideals, in this country.

The wholesale deliverance, to Corporate America, of every last bit of pluralism to these vultures, is their sworn "AGENDA". To help proffer this fascistic "PROPAGANDA" to the N'th degree, they are looking at putting in place their "Mistress of Media Mayhem", Sarah Palin. She will be seated as their newly crowned lead disseminator, (i.e. "High Priestest of PROPAGENDA"), of Rethuglican distortions and prevarications on a 24/7 basis.

With her now being a free agent, the Rethugs will see fit to promote her brand of "Fascistic Family Fundamentalism", on the country at large, with the "Sarah the Media Star" compliance of the media in general, and Rupert Murdoch and FOX in particular.

[applehead]

there was one poor fellow -- he reminded me of the kind of luck I'd have under the same circumstances --- who kept trying to shake franken's hand and couldn’t get to him (too timid) and franken -- meaning no disrespect but caught up in the moment --- was unaware of him. could somebody please tell al about this man so he can invite him to coffee or something. i feel bad for the man. i do so love al, always have, always will.

[BlackYowe]

Wonderful! Now lets all get on with getting health care passed!

[discourse jockey]

Indeed!!

[MyTurn2020]

Finally! Congratulations Senator Franken. Go get em'!!!

[grandma58]

Congratulations!

[VirginiaJeff]

Whoa, wait a minute. You mean Minnesota's supposed to have TWO senators? When did this happen?

[BlackDemfromNH]

This is great! Congratulations, Senator Al Franken! What a great day!!

[SamiSam]

I'm so glad he's a US senator. Here's old Al rockin' it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_mwsDFm7bQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftpmdc%2Etalkingpointsmemo%2Ecom%2F2009%2F07%2Fremembering%2Dthe%2Dfunny%2Dal%2Dfranken%2Ephp%3Fref%3Dfpb&feature=player_embedded

[hughwynn]

I kind of laugh at you that say he was the best at air america. They had 5 people listening to the show. Al Franken just like his partners at Air America and MSNBC just hate Pres Bush and any Republican. They dont have a clue how to fix a problem, they just hate and blame the republicans. Another clown in the democratic circus.

[stevensnell]

We can't all be as clever as you, I'm afraid, and have your brilliant replying-t­o-other-pe­ople's-com­ments skills to boot.

[VirginiaJeff]

I love how Republicans try too assign their worst traits -- cluelessness, hatefulness, and mindless blaming -- to others.

hughwynn's next response will probably be, "I know you are, but what am I?"

[henrypapillon]

Nice job , sonny. 1) Open envelope 2) Read Republican talking points (or have them read to you), if you are like about 50 % of the Republicans nowadays. 3)Go online and recite talking points.

[Ranta]

Brought to you by the Republican Hate Machine.

[minnprogress]

Congratulations Al. This has been a long time coming. For all of us who remember and loved Paul Wellstone, this is a great day.

[butonelife]

Then suck it again.