MSNBC: Comedian Al Franken and his "big doughy hand" running for office. No bias in THIS article...

[Amerigo Vespucci]

No Joke! Comedian says Senate run is serious
Al Franken, former star of 'Saturday Night Live,' running for Minn. office

By Monica Davey
The New York Times
updated 48 minutes ago

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22106538/

ST. PAUL - Even as Al Franken stretches out his big doughy hand to another potential voter inside Nina’s Coffee Cafe on a recent morning, it is easy to forget that Mr. Franken, the former “Saturday Night Live” star, the satirist and author, the liberal radio host, is trying to be elected to the United States Senate.

“They should be allowing more dogs in places,” Mr. Franken deadpans to the voter, “dogs in grocery stores, dogs in hardware stores.”

Would-be senators do not usually meander into such lines of conversation. Nor do they make up silly songs incorporating the names on their list during “call time,” the endless hours spent calling prospective donors. Nor do they draw freehand sketches of the United States as a party trick at campaign meet-and-greets.

Then again, there are many moments these days when Mr. Franken sounds exactly like a candidate. He has taken up the politician’s habit of peppering tales with the names of people he has talked to on his campaign trail, like Kathy Kawalek, the nurse in Cambridge, Minn., who he says told him of elderly people growing ill because they stopped taking costly medications.



U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken speaks during a picnic for Democrats in Edina, Minn., on Saturday, July 21. Even as his celebrity draws crowds and attention, Franken must convince Democratic activists in every corner of Minnesota that he's more than just a funnyman -- that he also has the substance and political skill to successfully take on incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman next year.

[Perry Logan]

1. The CEOs and reporters of the NYT should be prosecuted and hung for inciting the public to violence

in the lead-up to the Iraq invasion.

[Bitwit1234]

2. Gee we have a has been actor

running for PRESIDENT but then he's a republican. We have a has been TV actor who ran for the House of Representatives from one of the NW states, the guy from "LoveBoat"..but he was also a republican. How about Sonny Bono. He was a republican.

Then there's Arnold..and Reagan all republicans.

But how dare a Democrat who was in show business dare run for office. NOthing bias about that article.

[Benhurst]

5. Don't forget California U.S. Senator George Murphy who's legislative

experience was formed prancing across the stage in such hits as "Little Miss Broadway" with Shirley Temple.

[TlalocW]

3. I think his free-hand sketch of America is a cool talent

He did it on SNL once.

TlalocW

[Mend]

4. I like a guy with big bones...he won't be building missiles to compensate

for short-comings.

[mrgorth]

6. Love

him.

[spooky3]

7. I'll take his big brains and big heart over any Rethug Adonis, any day.