Franken says he's a practical Minnesotan

America's politics show we are so focussed on celebrity, religion, ethnicity, and all the things that don't add up to qualified public servant. As a Democrat I hope he's a good Senator. From a practical point of view, I would prefer to see someone with a resume that pointed to a related skill set for the job. Albeit, some may think a comedian is perfect, I don't.

Out of curiosity, urbandweller, what would you consider an appropriate resume?

Although I agree with the previous poster, I'm not sure we trained politicians make the best canidates. After all politicians are the only people you can trust less than lawyers...

urbandweller - Franken's related skill set is shown in his books, by his old radio show and by his degree from harvard - this man is serious about the people like his hero wellstone - doesn't get much better - watch

"A related skill set for the job."

Noah's ark was built by an amateur. The Titanic was built by professionals. Draw your own conclusions.

The man is Harvard-educated, with a degree in Political Science.

Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if he were another lawyer? The one's currently in office have certainly done a bang-up job, haven't they?

oh like a rich lawyer or lobbyist turned politician?! ill take an intelligent comedian any day over some self serving A hole.

At last we see a politician who seems willing to put people before party dogma. Franken has shown considerable skill working within his state's borders, so let's hope he does the same on a national level.

Al Franken is not just a comedian. He is an accomplished author and patriot. He is also a husband, father and Minnesotan. Our Senate and House are made up of representatives from all walks of life and to demean someone for making people laugh is just short-sighted. Unlike so many of our politicians, there's evidence that he might actually read and research materials before voting. What a refreshing change!

If you have any questions about Franken's ability to think clearly (hopefully the most crucial skill for a politician, yes?), read his books - especially his account of what happened during the 2004 Pres. election. Funny, yes, but with a lot of interesting and telling points about our political process in the US. I wish him well.

Another politician with no experience, First the president and now this clown.

Way to go, urbandweller!

As usual, these comment sections quickly turn into an opportunity to bash lawyers.

Al Franken is far, far left of the middle. If you watched his Air America show that is all you needed to know. Only an idealogue would describe Fanken as mainstream in any way, shape, or form. The man was fixated on George Bush to the detriment of his brain cells, Some of the comments supporting Franken are truly rich. There are no specifics other than what we already know.

From the man himself::
I once asked the most fabulous couple I know, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, how they kept things fresh despite having been married for almost seven months. 'It's a job, Al,' Guy told me. 'We work at it every day.'

But he had this one right in 1999:
If I put myself on the ballot and even 50 people voted for me, it'd be a travesty. (from an interview with the Oregonian from 1999.

And this gem:
Republicans are shameless dicks. No, that's not fair. Republican politicians are shameless dicks

What a shame this idiot now passes for a statesman. You can have him Minnesota. Good luck.

As for the resume- How about we put someone in power who has actually run a business, made a payroll, and led men and women. How about not putting people in who have never done any of the above and are tax cheats- and oh yes- Franken is a tax cheat. He and Giethner can go to lunch and expense it on us.

Here are a couple of stories about this wonderful man's record:

1. DFL Senate candidate Al Franken owes a $25,000 penalty to the New York State Workers' Compensation Board for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees of his namesake corporation from 2002 to 2005, state officials said.

New York officials have made numerous attempts to contact Franken about the matter since April 2005 but have gotten no reply.

2. Alan Franken Inc. appears in New York records one other time, when it failed to pay withholding taxes for July 1996.

Sounds like he could Head the Finance Committee with Barney Frank. Hey. Frank and Franken- what Team!\

Franken is clearly bright. But let's face it name recognition is most of political success, especially for a novice. That's the only way to explain Bush2, Reagan, Jesse Ventura, Caroline Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, etc. etc. That they are well known does not make them good potential Senators - I think that's everyone's understandable concern.

Funny, urbandweller....I thought the only requirement to be a US Senator is to be a citizen over the age of 35? At least that's what it says in the Constitution.

This jokster will vote along party lines 99% of the time. Who does he think he is kidding?

Those taking cheap shots will be surprised to see the reserved side of Al Franken.
Lawyers fill many seats in congress and the senate, often with less than satisfying results for citizens of the USA. Go Al.

Once your elected, then you are a politician. If you have ever listened to Al on the radio, you realize that he is very involved in politics and knows the subject matter. Yes is is a celebrity, and I think we elect people we want to follow. True leaders get out in front of the people and lead. You can't follow someone if they blend into the crowd. The trick for Senator Franken will be if he can get the people who didn't vote for him to follow. That is the sign of a true leader.

Dave Singleton wrote: "How about we put someone in power who has actually run a business, made a payroll, and led men and women." Several paragraphs later, Mr Singleton wrote: "DFL Senate candidate Al Franken owes a $25,000 penalty to the New York State Workers' Compensation Board for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees of his namesake corporation..."

Which is it, Dave? He ran a business with employees, or didn't. Your own words seem to be in conflict.

Franken hasn't lived in Minnesota for 25 years. A better title for Franken would be, the 3rd Senator from New York or California. I have no time for carpet baggers! This guy gives lip service and that's about it. He claims he stands for "The working families." Yet he will vote for cap and tax which will cost the working families. He will support a gov't ran health care that will cost more and deliver less. I propose to all congressmen and congresswomen that support a gov't ran health care takeover. If you think it's good for us, then are you willing to give up your current elite healthcare program and enrole in the very program you want to force upon the rest of us?? I doubt very much they would.

Well, we've already had one comedian in high government, George W. Bush. Let's see how this one fairs.

This is the first time in 55 years that I am embarrassed to be from Minnesota. If Franken is an example of what passes these days as a practical Minnesotan then we are all in big trouble. However, I think Franken is more an example of what the Soros fortune can buy. Minnesota used to be known for having very clean elections. My 5 generations of ancestors buried back there must be rolling in their graves. Sad, sad day. I guess I really can't go home anymore.

Bright? Right, I suppose calling someone a "big fat idiot" or "shameless dick" requires an elite education. If that's the best the Ivy League has to offer us, perhaps we should consider looking elsewhere for leadership.

Ace- Not paying your employee's workers compensation and not paying one year of withholding tax is not "making a payroll." I guess you missed that part.

TWeb- They will not give up their healthcare. That is written into the new bill.

Men like Franken think they know what is best for all of us but do not expect to pay the piper as we do. For example, Franken says he believes in feedom of speehc and then tackles a guy heckling Howard Dean. He then applauds the guy who threw a shoe at George Bush. No consistency.

Idealogues are incapable of consistent thought and actions. They simply want what they want and, when the facts don't fit, damn the facts. If the very rules they want us to follow affect them then damn the rules- for them. There is no way on earth you will see pols like Franken who are for government run healthcare join the system they want for the rest of us..

And a note to Shawn- Start supporting Obama. He is our President. GW is long gone.Time to move on.