Franken stumps Sotomayor with Perry Mason question

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian, has turned out to be the only member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to stump Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

In the process, he sparked the biggest laughs of the so-far dry hearing, living up to his reputation as a funnyman.

Franken’s flash of humor was a departure from the cautious approach he has taken to public appearances since coming to the Senate last week after an eight-month legal battle with former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.).

Franken’s straight-man performance has disappointed various members of the media, who have hungered to see Franken’s sharp humor liven up the stuffy Senate.

But Franken gave his fans a tasty tidbit when it came his turn to question the nominee.

<snip>

“It amazes me that you wanted to become a prosecutor based on that show because in Perry Mason, the prosecutor, Burger, lost everything,” Franken said in his trademark deadpan, as laughter spread through the hearing room. “But I think this says something about your determination to defy the odds.”

Read More: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/franken-stumps-soto...

[jefferson_dem]

1. Funny exchange. Video posted in our forum.

Here - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Franken is going to make such a great big

and good difference in the style of the Senate. Not right away, but he's going to be very popular and very productive and, ultimately, very powerful. I think Our Al is in there for the rest of his life, if he wants.

I am so glad to see him there. Like a dream come true...............

[Frosty1]

6. Amen

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. I got the same feeling seeing him sitting there

that I get when I see Obama in the Oval Office - I almost get teary, I choke up, and I am so thankful.

What was most wonderful about his exchange with Sotomayor today - and I'm sure it slipped past most people, but it hit me (I'm an old Washington veteran) really hard, really wonderfully - was when he said, "I didn't know the answer. That's why I asked her."

Honesty, and intellectual curiosity, when, in fact, all those other questioners - Democrats included - ask questions that are loaded, one way or the other, to which they already know the answers.

Franken's gonna change that place. I hope, I hope, I hope.............

[ananda]

3. The Case of the Terrified Typist

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0673410 /

"This is one of the rare Perry Mason episodes where Perry actually LOSES the case and his client, Duane Jefferson is found guilty"

[dysfunctional press]

5. but perry still clears the defendant in the end...

http://www.perrymasontvshowbook.com/pmb_c209.htm

The truth is, Perry Mason didn't win every case. In fact, at least three decisions went against him.

Well, sort of. "The Case of the Witless Witness" begins with a judgment being handed down against Perry by judge Daniel Redmond. Perry's not trying a murder case; it's more likely a matter of civil law. Afterward, the judge even comforts Perry, suggesting he could always go to the appeals court. It turns out that judge Redmond has political aspirations and Perry later successfully defends him on an influence-peddling and murder charge.

In "The Case of the Terrified Typist," a jury returns a guilty verdict against Perry's client, giving Hamilton Burger goose bumps thinking he'd finally beaten Mason. But alas, Perry is still able to clear the defendant.

Perry's most famous "loss" occurred in "The Case of the Deadly Verdict." It's a strange episode. The show uncharacteristically opens in the courtroom. A decision is being handed down. Perry's client is found guilty of murdering her aunt for money, and is sentenced to die in the gas chamber. Stop the presses!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

7. You emailed this to Franken's office, right?

Because, if you didn't, you should - RIGHT NOW!

And, a very nice catch.............

[dysfunctional press]

9. they don't have google?

i'm guessing he's been deluged with responses.

[Beetwasher]

4. I Hope This Is A Sign He's Losening Up, We Need His Wit

It's a great weapon agains the Republican idiots. I understand why he toned it down, but now he doesn't have to keep it as toned down.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

10. I like Dave Barry's take on Perry Mason

If you were accused of a crime, and you showed up in court and Hamilton Burger was the prosecutor, you could heave a sigh of relief because that guy always lost.