Rysdad, I guess Al’s personality just rubs you the wrong way. Have you listened to his radio show, though? I have, for the past 3 years, and it’s been a lifeline of sensible discourse in a chaotic time. He has very astute guests, and they analyse the current political happenings quite well. Particular standouts are Tom Oliphant, and Norm Ornstein, weekly regulars, who have long experience in the political arena, and give great commentary.
Al’s list of weekly regular commentators are Washington specialists. It’s obvious that they respect him. If you have only read his books and see him as a comedian, you really don’t know how he has evolved as man who understands what’s going on in the political world.
If you do want to listen to the show: http://www.airamerica.com/alfrankenshow/ , do so now, because Feb 14 is his last day on the air. I’m conflicted with that; sad to see the show go, because it’s the most intelligent political radio show on air, but glad to see Al --perhaps, run for office. I think he would make an excellent senator. He’s astute, from what I hear daily on his radio show , knows the ropes and git-go from those same interviews, has a right mighty friends who keep track of the crap of government, and, is committed to making the country a better place.
I checked with my wife, who’s very active with the DFL and worked on several campaigns in the recent elections. She had no opinions about Al Franken because she doesn’t know anything about him, which sounds like he has not been active politically in Minnesota recently, if ever.
Which, to my mind, is not in the “Good” column for the list of qualifications for Senator.
Rysdad: have you read any of Franken’s books (the more recent the better)? If so, you would find him quite capable of holding his own in a policy discussion.
You just can’t stand the guy? Fine. That happens. But there is no necessary correlation between his detestibility and his capability.
I’ve no doubt that Franken has what it takes to be, at least, a competent Senator. Whether he can get past his comedic persona and get elected is another matter.
That sort of surprises me. I’m not active in DFL politics - but have friends who are so its a topic at parties we go to - and Al Franken being an apparent candidate has been known for several years and has been the source of a lot of speculation. I don’t know if he’s spent (or hasn’t spent) much time in the state - which may be her point. But a lot of DFLers have opinions about him.
(Most seem to be good, btw - although that may be a circling of the wagons against the hated traitor Norm Coleman. He isn’t someone who has spent a lot of time in the state, but its a federal position, not Governor. Unless we are talking about which direction pork is flowing, federal politics shouldn’t - in my opinion - be overly localized. What’s good for someone in St. Paul should be good for someone in Birmingham, Alabama. Personally, I think a Coleman vs. Coleman smackdown would be interesting, but Chris doesn’t seem interested.)