Franken says he's more likely than not to run for U.S. Senate in '08

USA TODAY ^ | 5/03/04 | AP

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Comedian and liberal talk show host Al Franken put the odds of a challenge against Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., in 2008 at better than 50-50, and said he would make a decision by late next year. "I've thought about it and discussed it with my family more," Franken told The Associated Press Saturday, before attending the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner here. The only holdout, he said, is his 19-year-old son Joe, who is worried he'll see less of his father.

Franken, over a bite at a Thai restaurant (he ordered tom yum goong soup with shrimp and seafood salad), also said he's happy with the direction of his new radio show, "The O'Franken Factor," despite unenthusiastic early reviews.

Franken, who first floated the idea of running for Senate last year, said he's spoken to state and party officials, political operatives, and a couple of senators, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., about it.

"I asked Hillary, 'Can you give me some suggestions about running for Senate in a state you haven't lived for in a while, or in your case, ever?' " he recalled, laughing heartily.

"And she said, 'This will be a long conversation,' so we agreed to have a long conversation about it."

[billorites]

[prisoner6]

Cuz his gig with Err America will be over by then...WAY OVER, LOL!

prisoner6

[ken5050]

He's looking for a reason/excuse to gut out of his AirAmerica disaster...When he announces as a candidate, he'll have to resign..

[biggerten]

Coleman is popular here, people really like him.

Don't take this guy seriously, the Dems have to find a warm body, no real politician here in MN wants to run - they'd merely be cast as a loser.

[TonyBanks]

"The only holdout, he said, is his 19-year-old son Joe, who is worried he'll see less of his father. "

Never seen a 19-year-old worried about seeing less of his father. At that time, dad was about the last person I wanted to see.

[tcostell]

When asked about his remaining reservations for a Senate run Franken said "Well I still get to live in Washington right? I don't have to actually associate with all those rednecks do I? I mean even Paris Hilton won't live in Minnesota as a joke! Is that Mike on...are you recording this?"

[JZoback]

If the people vote this bozo in, they will richly deserve what they got.

I really can't see people being that stupid, but you never know.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

At that time, dad was about the last person I wanted to see.

Maybe you need some therapy.

[Miss Marple]

I agree. He cannot possibly want the job of a Senator, unless he is so ignorant that he thinks it is fun and games.

Can you imagine this guy sitting in an office and answering constituent complaints? Knowing how to negoiate with Republicans to get some sort of bill onto the floor? Can you imagine him sitting on the Agricultural Committee? Giving up his Hollywood parties? Having to be in Washington, D.C. in July?

I don't think so. This is just something to get his name in the paper and give him an excuse to resign from Air America, which no doubt he is finding boring and an embarassing career faux pas.

[prisoner6]

Especially so when at about that age Dad opened the door to the high school field house. Instaed of being on the field and practicing with the band, we were in...ummm..."involved" on top of the gym mats.

Dad was the LAST person I wanted to see then!

prisoner6

[johnny7]

Al Franken is your father... ha! Well, it's better than OJ.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

If the people vote this bozo in

I'm sorry, was that bozo or bonzo?

Not taking guy like this seriously is a good way to be taken by surprise.

Actors get into politics. Franken is one of the few out there who can get liberals to listen to him paint conservatives in the worst possible light and still be funny enough to not come off as total jerk. The guy is funny and quick on his feet. The only other person of his caliber out there is John Stewart.

And, with all due respect to biggerton, this is a state that elected Jesse the Body Ventura as Governor.

[raybbr]

[bondjamesbond]

Coleman declined to comment, but the chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, Ron Eibensteiner, said, "This is a joke, right?"

I think Ron Eibensteiner is right on the money.

[woofer]

He cannot possibly want the job of a Senator, unless he is so ignorant that he thinks it is fun and games.

Hmmm, how about this for a reason...do you know of any "poor" senators?

As far as Franken using a senatorial run as an easy out from the ErrAmerica fiasco, that gig will have both the money and power plugs pulled by late September. Franken will forever be tied to that millstone regardless of his choice of careers.

[G.Mason]

"Never seen a 19-year-old worried about seeing less of his father. At that time, dad was about the last person I wanted to see."

Boy isn't that the truth!

I say this even though I probably had the best Dad in the world.

[Heatseeker]

I think Ron Eibensteiner is right on the money.

Yup. My guess is Mr Eibensteiner is going to get down on his knees every night and pray Franken goes through with it.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

His kid will be 23 when Franken runs. Does his son plan on living with Dad forever or what?

[Egon]

Can you give me some suggestions about running for Senate in a state you haven't lived for in a while, or in your case, ever?'

Freudian slip or typo?