Is Al Franken "Good Enough, Smart Enough?"
Al Franken and his wife Franny are running for US Senate in Minnesota against Norm Coleman. He flew to Denver to tell a few jokes, pick up some checks, and talk about US foreign policy and the War. Franken's greatest plea is to ensure a future Barack Obama presidency comes with a Senate majority of at least 57 democratic senators.
We all know the notable affirmation from Franken's Stuart Smalley Character on SNL: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough - and gosh darn it, people like me." But is he really ready for Washington? Franken's polling numbers show what he called a "decisive one-percent lead" against Coleman who has served in public office on behalf of Minnesotans for 20 years. Coleman is not going to roll over for this guy.
Franken used his fundraiser to press his case and harkened back to the legendary Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN). Well, I knew Paul Wellstone. Wellstone was a friend of mine, and Franken is no Wellstone.
In terms of foreign policy, Franken's primary background, he admitted, is that he had "authors with best-sellers from Iraq" on his Air America radio and satellite program. And if they were "really good authors" on Iraq, he had them back a second time.
Stand-up comedy may, indeed, prepare one for the exigencies of public office but just might not be enough for the US Senate. I asked Franken if he planned to bring a strong economic and international policy agenda if elected - his primary retort was that he just "wants to beat Coleman. We're gonna beat him!"
Here's the deal. Minnesota has brought this country some major democratic champions like Humphrey and Mondale. It has also brought us Governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Whatever motivates Franken - and surely his love of the state that brought us the Prairie Home Companion is part and parcel of his candidacy - this campaign seems like another actor jumping from New York and Hollywood (again).
Franken would not stay in Denver. He headed back to the Twin Cities after just one evening fundraiser because he needed to meet people and shake some hands at the Minnesota State Fair. Seems right... the education of Al Franken continues.
See also: Frank Luntz Predicts the Future
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You really have to ask yourself why a VA business man would go out of his way to write this post bashing someone running for Senator in MN. It seems the only substance to this criticism is that as someone who is running for his first term as a U.S. Senator, he does not have any senatorial experience or experience that would be gained from being a senator. Uh...isn't that universally true of any candidate in the same position?
I think anyone who knows Franken knows that he has a deep interest and understanding of politics. Anyone who has read his books know that he bases his conclusions and opinions on a mountain of facts, not just going with his "gut" or using old adages to back up his points. As the argument has been in this election, while experience is important, why is intelligence discarded? Rumsfeld and Cheney could not have longer resumes, and they have all but buried this country.
I know when someone is grinding an axe, and that is exactly what this seems like.
YES! I 100% support Franken.
that is why I, a Californian, donate to his campaign monthly.
MORE SMART PEOPLE!!!!!!!
Al Franken is a smart man with a good heart, and gosh darn it, people should like him.
I listened to Al's radio show from the very beginning to the very end. He's a smart, well educated, well intentioned person who discussed issues with academics, policy wonks, and politicians every day.
He should have given you a more satisfying and detailed answer, but since I've heard him say the right things and ask the right questions for several years I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps after many, many months on the campaign a candidate is reduced to repeating his applause lines.
This appears to be only your second post on the site and you seem to confuse snarkiness with insight, but then again, it's seems to be about all you've got: the Stuart Smalley reference comes straight out of the pages of "Bill O'Reilly's Big Book of Seventh Grade Wit" and your choice to go with what has to be the gazillionth reworking of Lloyd Bentsen's John Kennedy line speaks volumes (psst you're no Lloyd Bentsen).
America elected a President with no experience at anything!
Franken at least is doing the bookwork and learning how to do the job. It's not like there is a training course for congress. So yes! Al Franken is good enough and smart enough to do the job and do it with his constituents best interests at heart!
Norm Coleman was a mayor. Not much foreign policy experience there. Wait. There's none there!
Franken has been around and knows how the system works. You may recall representatives were supposed to be civilian servants, not professional politicians. We need more "normal" people running for office and less Norms. (Psst. Al. You can use that one if you like)
Look at this election this way, McCain is saying that the economy is great, but we can't afford to give benefits to the soldiers..
To answer the original question - NO!!
Undoubtedly Al Franken has a lot to learn about becoming a senator, but so would anyone running for the senate for the first time. Hubert H. Humphrey may have been a far more "experienced" politician, but that experience did not do him nor anyone else any good when it came to his judgement on the Viet Nam War.
Anyone who has listened to Al Franken discussing policy and politics on the air with his guests would know that his political aspirations are based on his interest in, and knowledge of, the full spectrum of the political scene. He is also a performer, and while his sometimes flippant remarks and books could lead the uninitiated to deduce that he is treating his senate campaign as a big lark, look beneath the surface and you will find someone with a deeper and more enlightened understanding of the issues than most lifetime "professional" politicians.
well, he certainly beats the alternative.
The Body Ventura would be better.
A Paul Wellstone comes around once in a generation - like a Hubert Humphrey. However, Al Franken will stand head and shoulders above Norm Coleman by any measure. That he's not a polished politician is endearing; we should have more "citizens statesmen" in the Congress.
I fail to see the point in your post. He's no Wellstone, big deal. Are you suggesting that you'd rather have Norm Coleman return to the Senate from MN?
I would trust Al Franken with my vote before I would ever support a Bush Cheney republican like Norm Coleman...
Al Franken--Da new man. Coleman-- 20 year public self-service-- enough. GO home.
Of course he is!!! Al is a smart guy. Real progressive! He is no joke!
"Is Al Franken "Good Enough, Smart Enough?"
Yes. He deserves your vote. This blogger's support for entrenched pro politician Coleman notwithstanding.
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