Franken in Washington, says he's ready to work

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

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.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090706/ap_on_go_co/us_fran...

[niyad]

1. it is about friggin' time

I wonder if he can sue coleman for the wages he didn't receive during this battle?

[defendandprotect]

2. Hi Al . . . good luck #60 -- !!! Any Norm Coleman jokes?

[Dumak]

3. It would be a shame for him to avoid humor

Al is great at self-deprecating humor, something Minnesotans can appreciate. The Rethugs (who are clueless about self-deprecating humor) are ready to pounce upon the slightest display of humor, and will look foolish to Minnesotans in the process.

[Stevepol]

4. I expect Coleman to issue a court challenge of Reid's introduction welcoming ceremony.

[47of74]

5. In other news...

...O'Reilly throws a obscenity laden fit on his show.

[Kingofalldems]

6. He forged his birth certificate!!!111!!!

[gratuitous]

7. Okay, that makes one Senator ready to work

Any others?

As for humor, I think Franken's shot across the bow for the Republican (Inhofe?) who called him a clown should be sufficient warning for most folks in the chamber that this is not a colleague you'll want to match wits with. Better to just treat him as an equal, and do your job.

[TuxedoKat]

9. Oh, I loved his response too!

It was perfect -- funny, gentlemanly, made Inhofe look like an unmannerly jerk.

[sutz12]

12. Helped, maybe...

Inhofe can look pretty jerky all on his own.

[never cry wolf]

13. I must have missed it?

What was Al's response to Inhofe?

[gratuitous]

14. Inhofe called Franken a clown

And Franken responded, "I don't know how Sen. Inhofe regards clowns, but it might be an incredible compliment." Franken basically refused to be baited, made Inhofe look more than a bit pettish, and came away from the exchange looking far more statesmanlike than the supposedly more experienced Inhofe.

[brooklynite]

8. So, will the Republican Senators have the grace to welcome him to the Senate?

Not getting my hopes up...

[gratuitous]

10. Oh, of course!

Republicans are nothing if not decorous! They'll be welcoming and respectful, because we all know how upset they get when the conventions aren't observed. Remember how they all got the collective vapors at Paul Wellstone's memorial service that some of them didn't feel they got the welcome they deserved? Surely with the aforementioned exception of Mr. Inhofe, every Republican in the Senate will veer wildly out of their way to be sure to extend every courtesy to Sen. Franken.

Yes nurse, thank you; the drugs are taking effect quite nicely.

[Dumak]

15. Faux News will find a car chase to switch to during the swearing in

Seriously though, I hope some of the Dems will welcome him in style. A room with a big party would be cool.

[goforit]

11. Not yet....He has to pass the illuminate rituals first.

[scipan]

16. Franken to be sworn in just after 12 noon EST Senate Chamber

Franken to be sworn in today
by Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio
July 7, 2009

St. Paul, Minn. — Democrat Al Franken is to be sworn into office later this morning, giving Minnesota two U.S. Senators for the first time in six months.

Vice President Joe Biden will swear in Franken a little after 11 a.m. - Minnesota time. Former Vice President Walter Mondale and Minnesota Senior Senator Amy Klobuchar will escort Franken into the Senate Chambers for the ceremony. Franken's wife and two children will look on from above in the Senate gallery.

Franken says he'll be sworn in with a Bible from the family of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/07... /

I hope c-span will cover it live. Nice touch using Wellstone's bible.