WASHINGTON (CNN) - Minnesota Sen.-elect Al Franken will be the featured speaker at Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry this September. Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh confirmed that the senator-elect would be speaking at the event and said that Franken had signed on to do so prior to this week's certification of his election. "Al was thrilled to be invited and [is] eager to attend," she said.
The event, one of the Iowa Democratic Party's largest fundraisers, has long been considered one of the biggest events in Democratic politics. In 2007, it featured virtually every Democratic presidential contender – Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson.
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Franken had defeated incumbent senator Norm Coleman in the state's November Senate race. With the ruling, Franken became the Democratic caucuses' 60th vote in the senate. However, the former comedian dismissed the notion that he would be an automatic 60th vote.
"The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator," Franken said during a press conference held shortly after the court's ruling. "I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota and that's how I am going to do this job."
The steak fry will be held on September 13.
From CNN Politics
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I am sure he will invite his team of lawyers that assisted in stealing his new congressional seat.
Steak Fry? Seriously? What is wrong with these people? Steak should be grilled rare to medium rare over really really hot charcoal. Period. And no steak sauce, blech! Dang, now I'm hungry for a steak. Have a nice day!
Just one more liberal goofball bellying up to the trough!
They need the court jester like AL.
Well Greg, how exactly did he steal it? He did get the majority of the votes. Even if it was by a very slim margin, he still won. And if I'm not mistaken it was his contender that took the matter to court... and lost. So please enlighten me as to how it was stolen.
It's easy to make fun of Franken, or diminish him because of the silly nature of his comedy, but I think he handled the recount process with class and patience.
He seems like a decent and humble guy, and I hope the people of Minnesota give him a chance, even the ones who didn't vote for him.
Good for you Al. We are sure you'll be a great addition to the Senate.
Now the Dems have a full set of teeth to take a bit out of all that scary talk stuff that the party of pachyderms profess.
Even now the best the Repubs can muster is to worry about the Metric system.
Good luck Al.
Funny how people seem to overlook that Franken has a degree from Harvard in Political Science.
Just as I thought would happen, the Republicans are saying Al Franken stole the election in Minnesota. See Greg's comment above. The Republicans can not seem to grasp the fact that the country has clearly stated they support the Democratic party. Speaking of stealing elections – remember the presidential elections of both 2000 and 2004 - now if you are going to steal an election, that is the way to do it!! With news just released that Barack Obama is the most admired head of state in the world, I am waiting to see how the poor-loser Repubicans spin that information....... Go Al and congratulations on your win.
Another so called "celebrity" elected official – because we see how well the others have worked out – Clint Eastwood, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Bono, et al. Arnold is one the few that have had any success. I do not like the idea of this guy, whose life experience is writing jokes, as a senator. To me, this shows that people do not take elections or elected officials seriously.
What a wonderful world it is for President Barack Obama (SMILE)
am loving this for al franken, and to the gop,al franken is no joke he is the senator of the state of a 100,000 lakes, and prince. what a country. it is a great victory for america.we won again gop and will win south carolina in 2012, oh i 4got we already won,thank you gov.sanford.you go al franken.
Sure am hoping that this Steak Fry can celebrate some Progressive victories on Health Care... The end of DOMA and Single Payer or at least Public Option.
May the sun shine bright on Indianola that day.
mmmm....steak....
@ Randolph Carter
I like you...you're silly...but seriously, EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER FRIED!!!
Sure am hoping that this Steak Fry can celebrate some Progressive victories on Health Care... The end of DOMA and Single Payer or at least Public Option.
May the sun shine bright on Indianola that day.
PS: to Randolph Carter "Steak Fry" is IA speak for a great outdoor GRILLING experience. Ranks right up there with a IA Pork Producers Hog Roast.
SAD and sorry GOP! So glad he finally got accepted. Now the GOPers can finally do what they've been doing for 8+ years; sit and do NOTHING but complain.
Somebody may want to ask the Iowa Democratic Party about the last time he was a guest speaker at one of their events.
Well, now I know! Have a nice day!
Republican Party is Done, Gone, Finished.
Filibuster for us. The Duds and Incompetent have been Eliminated.
Freedom has Come to America.
We no more have Idiots Running our Country.
We have no more Criminals in White House.
CELEBRATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS, JUBILATIONS.
He (Franken) would have made a better "Commander-in-Chief." Do not let Obama fool you, with his smooth talk and "scare-tatics." He is obviously no George Washington nor Winston Churchill nor... Confucius.