Al Franken Enters Minnesota Senate Race
I wonder if people will dig up his book "Why Not Me?" and read the stuff about how much he hates the "sp." I thought it was funny, but he did refer to voters as SP, or "stupid people."
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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14 comments:
Dcat-
Aren't you a former Minnesotan? If so, what is your takes on this? Can he beat this Norm Coleman guy?
Al, Al, he's our man! If he can't do it no one can!
Franken can be amusing. And at tims insightful. But I would be surprised if he had much of a shot at the nomination. Minnesotans take politics fairly seriously. I know some will point to Ventura as exhibit A, but the reality is that he only won because of a seriously divided electorate and two underwhelming candidates.
And yes, the "Stupid people" comments won't help. And I would imagine funding will be an issue.
dcat
I think you're underestimating Al Franken, but I'm a Texan, so what do I care.
Wait! I entirely forgot! I was almost a Minnesotan (Minnesotite?).
I was offered a scholarship at Mankato University but turned them down for Eastern Illinois.
And, had I lived there instead of Illinois (assuming I'd still be there) I'd vote for Franken. Just like I voted for Obama.
Go Obama!!
Tony --
Let's just say that you made the right choice of colleges and leave it at that.
As for Al Franken, the problem is that he is a satirist and is not afraid to show a little bite in that satire -- that sort of record makes for a deadly combination in a campaign. the thing i need to see is his seriousness. Will he develop policy proposals? Will he engage in serious debate? Or is this just an attempt to bring a satirical approach to politics writ large? I won't have a vote in that election, so i will simply sit back and watch how it plays out, hoping that it will be a more entertaining race than most.
dcat
Not that I know anything about any of this, but Dcat may very well be right Mr. Romo. Wasn't Mankato the site of some uprising during the Vietnam days? And I seem to recall something about some rioting there eight or nine years ago. Who the hell knows where you would have wound up?
A wise man once told me, "You can't learn anything by criticizing the man in the mirror." How very true, how very very true.
Mankato did have some Vietnam War protests. There also were some riots just a few years ago, though more recently than 8-9 years. You seem to know more about southern Minnesota than you are letting on, dear Secret Agent.
Don't blow your cover . . .
dcat
Though I'm no political scholar, and The David Letterman show ain't
David Brinkly, I have seen Al Franken on Letterman (and a number of other shows) and am quite impressed with him. Sure, he's a comedian, but after a couple of actors in various offices, a wrestler, and a buncha downright "nin-cowpoops" (Bugs Bunny, 1942) (i.e., GW), the precident is established.
Tony --
I agree. I think he is a sharp and insightful guy. I think he'll do well in debates. But I think that most of the time this sort of candidacy is tough to carry forward. If he gets into the general election I think he will be tough. It will just be interesting to see what happens when his candidacy gains some traction. My guess is that the knives will come out. But i hope I am wrong.
dcat
Wise man my ass! Where does "James Bond" above come up with these lunatic quotations?!
Tony, Secret Agent, I swear, if I have to stop this car . . .
Franken could have all the personal wherewithall to do it - (although one should never underestimate the importance - how shallow a world we live in - of looking the part, which he almost certainly [at least in comparison to your dime-a-dozen blow-dried candidates] wouldn't). The trick would be to make the most of his humor by gently showing up his opponent, while not using it in a way that comes across as vindictive or cynical, as he has so frequently done lately. His recent books haven't spared any ammo, but showing you are capable of restraint is essential in using humor to best a political opponent. Taking it to the point of skewering and belittling tends to backfire by coming across as ungracious.
I guess I am a bit like Jim Carrey's character in Dumb and Dumber -- I'm sayin' there's a chance. (Yes, I know, it was actually Lauren Holly's character who said the chance was one in a million, but leave me alone -- I just got out of a 3-hour class).
dcat
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