Franken appears as serious in Senate as he was brazen on 'Saturday Night Live'
WASHINGTON — So, did you hear the one about the comedian who spent a whole day on Capitol Hill and told no jokes?
Democrat Al Franken arrived in Washington on Monday content to be as mundane in the Senate as he was brazen in his previous job as a "Saturday Night Live" performer.
Forget funny. Soon after he showed up in a Senate hallway with Majority Leader Harry Reid, Franken made clear his new shtick is serious senator from Minnesota.
"I think they'll get to used to the idea that I'm a senator, that I've kind of changed careers," Franken said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I just don't think it will take that long. They'll see what I do and what I say. Mainly, I'm going to put my head down and get to work."
Franken said his first order of business would be preparing for the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. He said he was meeting with "the best legal minds" in Minnesota to prepare for his role in the hearings.
"As someone who will have been in the committee a grand total of six days and isn't an attorney, I kind of see myself fulfilling a certain role for Americans watching the hearings," he said.
Franken also said he is looking forward to getting involved in health-care legislation and wants to play a role in crafting legislation that contains costs.
"It is unsustainable the way we are going," he said.
Franken's seriousness didn't faze the dozens of onlookers who packed into a narrow Senate hallway hoping for at least one salty quip.
What they got was essentially a rather dour politician, in a blue-and-white striped tie and a dark blue pinstripe suit, standing behind a podium with the seal of the Senate on it, speaking slowly from prepared remarks. Franken barely cracked a smile as he talked at length about his duty to his constituents and emphasized repeatedly that he would work hard.
In the interview with the AP, Franken offered some glimpses of humor, joking about the similarities between Minnesota and North Dakota and acknowledging the publicity that's surrounding his arrival in the Senate.
"I think that there was a little hullabaloo today because I'm going to get sworn in tomorrow, and because I'm the 60th Democratic vote in the Senate," he said.
But Franken's been working on his new role for years. The man who many considered ribald was the picture of reserve during a two-year campaign and eight-month recount from which he emerged victorious over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman.
Franken is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday. He'll be the junior senator from Minnesota, alongside fellow Democrat Amy Klobuchar.
Recent comments
So now it is time for the Associated Press to start their public...
Stewart | July 7, 2009 at 9:29 p.m.
Who cares if "awesomeron" thinks this election is valid? The courts...
Anonymous | July 7, 2009 at 7:14 a.m.
I do not consider this Mans Election to be Valid.
awsomeron | July 7, 2009 at 4:58 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 2:17 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- TE George's wife delivers 2:13 a.m.
- Weather, stumble play factor 2:10 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...


