Franken Says He'll Likely Challenge Coleman in '08

[stevedeshazer]

Comedian and liberal talk show host Al Franken puts the odds of a 2008 bid for the U.S. Senate at better than fifty-fifty.

Franken told The Associated Press he's considering a challenge against Republican Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota. The 52-year-old Franken says he'll make a decision by the end of next year. Coleman is up for re-election in 2008.

Born in New York City, where he currently resides, Franken grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

He's the host of the "O'Franken Factor" on the liberal network Air America Radio.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news-article.asp?NEWS_ID=63219

[Judi Lynn]

1. Good luck to Al. I hope Minnesotans are starting to see Norm

for what he's worth by now.

As for Al Franken, heck, he's good enough, he's smart enough, he's good looking enough, and, doggonnit, people just like him.

[timdoodle]

11. Franken

Should concentrate on Air America, and start the buzz about this in 2006.

[Judi Lynn]

13. Truly! Wouldn't it be great to see Democrats using air waves

just like Republicans as continual outlets of pro-Democratic news, thought, opinion?

If it's legal for them, it'd better be available to Democrats, too.

I think you're right.

[mzmolly]

15. LOL. I'd LOVE to vote for Al Franken. I'd also like to work for his

campaign if he does run. ;)

[0007]

2. Please correct me. Didn't Norm Coleman take office in 2000?

And is the position a six year term?

[dsc]

3. No

He took office in 2003 after winning in 2002.

[ShaneGR]

4. No, 2002

He ran against Wellstone, and then Mondale after Wellstone's plane went down.

[Voltaire99]

5. 2002 mid-term election. (n/t)

[stevedeshazer]

6. Elected in 2002

Norm Coleman was sworn in as a United States Senator on January 7, 2003.

[bluestateguy]

7. Good news

He can definently win and raise money (and he has a little of his own too).

If Franken doesn't run, look for one of Wellstone's sons to run.

[Judi Lynn]

9. Is one more likely than the other, of Wellstone's sons?

It would be good to hear more about that possibility, as well.

The country needs Norm to leave. He is a poisonous presence in the Senate.

[mzmolly]

14. I wasn't aware Wellstones sons were interested? That would be great news

also. I do know that Al Franken is an advisor for Wellstone.org.

[Voltaire99]

8. Good for Al. But Minnesota has changed, alas.

The liberal tradition--dead elsewhere in the nation--is flopping through its death rattles here.

Paul was in the fight of his life against the dinky Coleman: that alone tells you much about today's voters.

[Supormom]

21. This has happened before.

Remember the '78 election? Boschwitz- a neoconservative, and Al Quie (governor)- a born again, religious right winger, claiming victory and ushering in a new "conservative age" for Minnesota. Although very popular in the first two years, Quie served only one term and is barely remembered by most Minnesotans today. Boschwitz was reelected once but then was defeated by Wellstone in his third bid.
Minnesota survived that election, and I believe the DFL will take back the state once again. IMHO

[0007]

10. Many thanks - I've gotten lost somewhere in junior's time.

[dArKeR]

12. The Shadow GOP Government will make sure Franken has a

Wellstone/Carnahan/Baxter accident long before then. About in 2 months to make sure Franken/Rhodes don't spread too much truth ensuring a Democractic Presidential, House and Senate win. That's what's going on here. Hastert and Frisk will call out their assassins if Bush/Cheney don't first. If it's not a plane crash it will be an Arab claiming Franken has investments in Oil companies who have raped the Arab's land.

[UnAmericanJoe]

16. All that?

Just to keep a liberal comedian from becoming a Senator from Minnesota??
:tinfoilhat:

[Judi Lynn]

18. Make that DEMOCRATIC Senator from Minnesota. n/t

[dArKeR]

24. I forget Leahy and Daschle's assassination attempts added to the list

[goobergunch]

17. Franken would be a 100% improvement on Coleman (n/t)

Okay, let's see if anybody gets the reference.

[NMDemDist2]

19. he said he was thinking about it, glad to hear it's closer

guess he needs to change his residence and buy a house

[jadedcherub]

20. seems like an awfully early announcement. I would have preferred to see

him keep it quiet until maybe '06. I would be far more interested in Franken doing what Franken does, and have one of Wellstone's sons run, that would be excellent.

[JNelson6563]

22. I love it!

This would be delightful!

Julie

[koopie57]

23. I saw Coleman on a local tv show

He is still stupid, talks and mumbles like dumb george bush, can't get a complete sentence out without making one cringe, but now he looks so old, grey hair, very thin hair, see his little empty head sticking through. He is not a happy man I think.... *poor baby :evilgrin:

[Crunchy Frog]

25. I've been hoping he would run for that seat.

He would certainly liven things up in the Senate, and hopefully, he would be a worthy successor to Paul Wellstone.

Apparently they were good friends. His descriptions of Paul in his book are very moving.

[Toucano]

26. That's fantastic.

The Senate could really use someone like Al.

[Abaques]

27. As a Minnesotan I think this is a mistake.

Al Franken hasn't lived in this state for quite awhile. I do not feel that he would be embraced by the majority of Minnesotans.

I think that one of Wellstone's sons would probably be the best choice.

Regardless, whomever is the nominee will have my support.