He's Running!

[Ralph]

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

COMEDIAN AND POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AL FRANKEN, A DEMOCRAT, WILL RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE IN MINN. IN 2008

[Barry]

And he won't even have to get serious to stick with the Democratic platform on national defense! (um......is there one?)

Actually, I did get a kick out of his book on his fictional run for the presidency, Why Not Me?. The entire campaign was based on one issue: doing away with ATM fees.

[Ted]

First Jessie Ventura now Al Franken,
Minnesota: “ The We Don’t Care Who We Elect State”

[Ralph]

First Jessie Ventura now Al Franken,
Minnesota: “ The We Don’t Care Who We Elect State”

*****

California still has Minnesota beat.

[Barry]

First Jessie Ventura now Al Franken,
Minnesota: “ The We Don’t Care Who We Elect State”

*****

California still has Minnesota beat.

Really? I'd say they've had outstanding luck with actors.

[Febnyc]

Looks like 50% of the population is running for President next year.

[Ted]

Barry Wrote:

Really? I'd say they've had outstanding luck with actors.

You don't say..Who? Sonny Bono or
“Raise your right hand and repeat after me: “I Ronald Regan”
”You Ronald Regan”

[Barry]

Barry Wrote:

Really? I'd say they've had outstanding luck with actors.

You don't say..Who? Sonny Bono or
“Raise your right hand and repeat after me: “I Ronald Regan”
”You Ronald Regan”

I was thinking Reagan and Arnie (the latter has become a favorite of mine for his liberal stances on social issues, while still projecting more than a little strength and toughness).

Imagine what Reagan could have accomplished if he wasn't so dumb. He may have won all 50 states in '84 instead of only 49 and the Cold War may have ended a good three or four years earlier.

Ted,
I'm going to start reminding you every time you call Lieberman, Reagan, Bush or anyone else a moron that YOU are the person who said that when Bush did the same thing Clinton did in sending a carrier group to a hot spot that it was okay for Clinton, but not Bush because only the latter is a moron. For anyone to say something THAT stupid and call someone else a moron takes nerve. I've got to at least give you that much.

[Ted]

Barry you are delusional.
Bush is a moron not because of any one thing he’s done—not even due to his foreign policy—but simply because he can’t string a cogent thought together

As for Arnold, I didn’t mean to exclude him, I like him

[Barry]

Barry you are delusional.
Bush is a moron not because of any one thing he’s done—not even due to his foreign policy—but simply because he can’t string a cogent thought together

As for Arnold, I didn’t mean to exclude him, I like him

Ted,
It was a fairly clear exchange we had. You called Bush a war mongerer for sending a carrier group to the Persian Gulph. I responded by pointing out that that's what Presidents do to project power when a potential enemy is making waves. They've been doing it for decades and Clinton did it in the Taiwan Straight when China shot missiles over Taiwan. Your response: something very close to, if not exactly, "Ah but Barry, you forget, Clinton isn't a moron."

I remember it vividly because I was so dumbstruck by how bizarre your response was. The logical response if you disagreed with me would have been to explain why the circumstances between what Clinton and Bush did with regard to sending a carrier group to a shot spot were different. But you didn't. You resorted to the usual Bush is a moron response, regardless of how little sense it made under the circumstances. I found the response so nonsensical that I felt like Archie Bunker taking out the imaginery pistol and shooting myself as the dingbat went on and on. You're so beyond reason on Bush that no matter what he does, you're going to dismiss it without any thought whatsoever. The man is still President. He has to carry out the duties of the office. Sitting in his room and not doing anything for the next two years isn't an option. He did the right thing by sending the carrier group, just as Clinton did during the late 90s. Both moves were done with the same purpose in mind; the same purpose most other presidents that have made such a move had. For you to single out Bush for doing it because "he's a moron" is..........well........moronic.

[Ted]

Barry Writes:

Ted,
It was a fairly clear exchange we had. You called Bush a war mongerer for sending a carrier group to the Persian Gulph. I responded by pointing out that that's what Presidents do to project power when a potential enemy is making waves. They've been doing it for decades and Clinton did it in the Taiwan Straight when China shot missiles over Taiwan. Your response: something very close to, if not exactly, "Ah but Barry, you forget, Clinton isn't a moron."

I remember it vividly because I was so dumbstruck by how bizarre your response was.

The logical response if you disagreed with me would have been to explain why the circumstances between what Clinton and Bush did with regard to sending a carrier group to a shot spot were different. But you didn't. You resorted to the usual Bush is a moron response, regardless of how little sense it made under the circumstances. I found the response so nonsensical that I felt like Archie Bunker taking out the imaginery pistol and shooting myself as the dingbat went on and on. You're so beyond reason on Bush that no matter what he does, you're going to dismiss it without any thought whatsoever. The man is still President. He has to carry out the duties of the office. Sitting in his room and not doing anything for the next two years isn't an option. He did the right thing by sending the carrier group, just as Clinton did during the late 90s. Both moves were done with the same purpose in mind; the same purpose most other presidents that have made such a move had. For you to single out Bush for doing it because "he's a moron" is..........well........moronic.

I see, it only took you 300 words to vividly remember it….

Anyway Barry, you can’t take exchanges like that out of context, I was probably exasperated sparing with you for 15 posts and said anything just to rile you further

[RebLem]

How many of you who are making these glib statements about Al Franken's alleged lack of qualification have taken the trouble to listen to him or to investigate what his positions are on the issues? I have a feeling that none of you have, and that your statements are based simply on prejudice against the whole idea of a comedian running for public office.

For shame.

[Corlyss_D]

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

COMEDIAN AND POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AL FRANKEN, A DEMOCRAT, WILL RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE IN MINN. IN 2008

His best gag yet. I can't wait.

[Barry]

Anyway Barry, you can’t take exchanges like that out of context, I was probably exasperated sparing with you for 15 posts and said anything just to rile you further

Actually, there wasn't even really a need for an exchange, although it happened (possibly because I feel those, like you and John, who make a habit of calling the intelligence of others into question should be called on it when you make idiots of yourselves by saying something so out of touch with reality). Starting a thread to call ANY president a war mongering moron for sending a carrier group to a hot spot as a show of strength is completely moronic.

That's what great powers do (liberals' discomfort with being citizens of a great power notwithstanding). It's how they avoid conflict more often than not.

[burnitdown]

Clinton is a moron.

[RebLem]

Al Franken for Senate — seriously

By Patrick Condon
Associated Press |deseretnews.com |Thursday, February 15, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — Al Franken announced Wednesday that he will run for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously as a political figure.

Franken said he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and immediately acknowledged the doubts voters may have about electing a former "Saturday Night Live" performer.

"Minnesotans have a right to be skeptical about whether I'm ready for this challenge, and to wonder how seriously I would take the responsibility that I'm asking you to give me," Franken said in a video on his Web site.

"I want you to know: Nothing means more to me than making government work better for the working families of this state, and over the next 20 months, I look forward to proving to you that I take these issues seriously," he said.

Franken's announcement came on the final day of his show on the liberal radio network Air America. His decision instantly makes him a serious contender and brings national attention to the race.

Franken announced a few weeks ago that he would leave Air America and privately told prominent Democrats about his plans to seek office.

His name is well-known and Franken is likely to be well-funded, but he's expected to be challenged by several other Democrats, including wealthy trial attorney Mike Ciresi.

His candidacy will test whether Minnesotans are in the mood for another celebrity-turned-politician, after the 1999-2003 governorship of former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura. Ventura's fame and occasionally outrageous behavior regularly brought national attention to the state but wore on the patience of many Minnesotans.

Stephen Hess, a professor of political science at George Washington University, said Franken's bid is serious. "He's not doing this as some folks have done it to give them better gigs on the Borscht circuit."

Coleman is viewed as vulnerable because of a Democratic resurgence in Minnesota and President Bush's unpopularity. But his proven skills as a campaigner and fundraiser make him a formidable opponent.

Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey issued a statement saying Franken offers "nothing but polarization and vitriolic personal attacks."

Franken, 55, was born in New York City but grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park. He graduated from Harvard University in 1973, and in 1975 joined the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live" during its first season. He soon began appearing in sketches and remained a fixture on the show well into the 1990s.

In 1996, Franken took his career in a political direction when he wrote "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations," a broadside against the conservative radio host and other figures on the right. He's since published several other books critical of Republicans.

In his latest book, "The Truth (with jokes)," Franken criticized Coleman for his leadership of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, saying Coleman had not held a single hearing on Iraq war corruption.

In 2005, Franken and his wife moved back to the Twin Cities, which was widely interpreted as laying the groundwork for a campaign. He planned to make his first public appearance as a candidate Thursday at a Minneapolis clinic.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660195644,00.html

[burnitdown]

But Rush Limbaugh is a big fat (insincere) idiot.

[Ralph]

I am using this thread, this board, to announce my candidacy for the Presidency. The support of CMGers, sadly lacking four years ago, may well make a differnece. My motto: "Dittersdorf and Democracy: The Time Has Come!"

[Barry]

I think I prefer Franken's no ATM fees platform.