'Wild Man' Franken Assaults Dean Critic

NewsMax.com ^ | 1/27/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The Democratic Party's official talk radio host got violent yesterday, in an altercation he described as an effort to protect free speech.

Attending a Howard Dean rally in New Hampshire, unfunny funnyman Al Franken physically assaulted a heckler in the crowd, wrestling him to the ground in a bid to silence him.

"I got down low and took his legs out," Franken boasted to the New York Post afterwards.

The altercation was witnessed by NBC Washington Bureau chief Tim Russert, who called Franken's antics "unbelievable."

"One of the Lyndon LaRouche guys got up and started screaming and yelling," Russert told radioman Don Imus Tuesday morning.

"The press guy for Dean tried to grab onto him and remove him and he couldn't do it. All of a sudden, Al Franken jumped out of the media gallery ran down and grabbed this guy on the leg and started wrestling him to the ground.

"It was unbelievable, He was really into it," the NBC News star said.

Missing the irony of his use of violence to silence a heckler, Franken explained, "I'm neutral in this race but I'm for freedom of speech, which means people should be able to assemble and speak without being shouted down."

The volatile comic is well known as a troublemaker in media circles. At last year's Washington Correspondents Dinner, he stormed up to a table where Fox News star Alan Colmes was seated and verbally berated him for not being liberal enough.

Colmes' Fox News colleague Brian Kilmeade interceded in a bid to get Franken to cease and desist, but the confrontation only grew more tense.

"I thought we were going to come to blows," Kilmeade later said.

After one guest shot on "Hannity & Colmes," Franken chased Sean Hannity down the hall to his office. Hannity later told his radio audience that he had to call security to have Franken removed from the building.

Last month the combative comedian confirmed that he'll anchor a liberal talk radio network bankrolled by wealthy Democratic Party donors. His debut was set for next month, but it's not clear how party fatcats will react to the latest Franken imbroglio.

Franken's unidentified victim has not yet said whether he'll press charges against the former Saturday Night Live star.

[Types_with_Fist]

You have to admit....the guy's a constant source of entertainment.

[Bikers4Bush]

God please let the victim press charges.

[Kieri]

The liberals are so angry that violence is all they have left.

Which is why Franken will be a hit with his limited radio audience. Only the rabid "let's kill conservatives!" crowd will listen to him. The slime giving his show financial backing will continue to support him.

Remember, Franken is catering to his intended audience with these verbal and physical assaults. He's a GREAT spokesman for liberals, don't you think?

[Dan from Michigan]

I wouldn't press charges. I'd rather just kick his ass instead.

[Enterprise]

Sure, what's the hurry? Most places have a year filing period for criminal complaints and civil lawsuits. Wait until after the elections are over, then jump on him with both feet! Maybe by then he'll have gone over the edge a LOT of times!

[Defendingliberty]

Franken like all Democrats believes in “Freedom of Speech” for Democrats only. This sounds like the same tactics of the Brownshirts.

[Frank_Discussion]

If you can avoid a fight, do. Otherwise, you open yourself to being sued by your attacker, claiming you started it. Horrible, but true.

Hannity had the "call security" option, and he was right to take it.

[suzyq5558]

Oh wonderful another volatile dimwit on the loose.
has the whole dim party degenerated into barbarism? never mind i know the answer.
I read this morning he shoved his way to the front of the line at the airport,the guards wouldn't let him through and he kept yelling that he couldn't miss his flight and threw such a snit fit that it would make a drag queen blush.
all the journalists started yelling at franken that they had been in line forever too,so he could just wait his turn.

[finnman69]

I hope he sues the crap out of Franken.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

The liberals are so angry that violence is all they have left.

The last gasp of a dying breed........

[RandallFlagg]

Please, let this mouth-foaming moronic loser cretin slob do this to a conservative who can defend him/herself; preferably a former SEAL....

[Porterville]

Cool, a perfect poster boy.

[finnman69]

I want to see Franken rumble with Ted Nugent....

[maggief]

"Frickin' Franken's Freakin' Fracas"

[Frank_Discussion]

"Maybe by then he'll have gone over the edge a LOT of times!"

I hadn't thought of that. Yeah, let him build up a history of violence to back up the case against him. Very shrewd!

I was merely thinking of all the negative PR he could generate for the Dims.

[NautiNurse]

people should be able to assemble and speak without being shouted down

That street runs two ways, Franken. Idiot.

[ASA Vet]

make this piece of filth pay a hefty price

Someday the piece of filth will confront someone with the training and will to make him instantly pay a hefty price.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

You guys (and gals) have to see this!

Please FReepmail me if you want on/off this ping list.

[Enterprise]

"I was merely thinking of all the negative PR he could generate for the Dims."

The more the better.

[macamadamia]

Franken jumps from the crowd as...The Dickless Wonder, Batman's toyboy.