CNN

So exactly what makes Franken smart? He wrote an anti-repub book? Dumocrats, there's an old saying, "be careful what you wish for..." oh, and you can stop blaming repubs, dems have had control of congress for 2 1/2 years...ooops, a fact, I'll get csnsored!

To Donnat, DITTO!!

YEAH!!!! Good for you Al Franken....... and THANK YOU, Minnesota!

The people making comments about Franken being a comedian, need to remember that Reagan was an actor!

@ Mississippi Mike............. "Another clown"? What did you call Reagan the actor or Arnold of California the body builder! Funny how the GOPers complain, when they also have actors, adulterers, criminals, etc., in their ranks!

You know what they say.......... People who live in glass houses should not throw stones!

All you repubs that think Al Franken is stupid because he was a comedian on SNL. He's a Harvard educated mathematician for crying out loud. How many of you T00LS graduated from Harvard with any degree never mind with a math degree?

let see if he does keep his promise to keep kids safe into future.... ohh, is that other SNL for him?

There's a lot of people eating sour grapes here today. GOOD! Get used to it – you're going to be eating a lot more during the next 7.5+ years.

Hey Dan, ole buddy ole pal, you just gave a factual description of the republican motis operandi to a tee.

Yellow journalism? Lies? Can you say "swift boat"? Or, the Bush administration planting fake "news" stories to all the major networks? Or the "let's attack Iraq" for (insert reason that hasn't been disproven yet today)? Or how about the whole republican family values lie, all the way back to Dick Armey, David Ankeney, 3-divorce Limbaugh, Larry Craig, and of course, the more recent Ensign and Sanford. With all of talk radio and Fox News (or any Murdoch or Rev. Sun Myung Moon media) in your pocket, don't try and tell us there's a liberal media.

Funny, huh?

Guys, take a chill pill!

I think Senator Franken will surprise many of his critics in much the same way Representatives, Bono (Sonny) and Gandy (Gopher) surprised theirs. Maybe I should also mention another surpisingly sucessful entertainer turned politician.....Reagan (the Gipper).

You may not agree with his politics, but give him credit for hanging in their and keeping his cool during his opponents protracted challenge.

heck, he figured if obama could steal an election by corrupting the vote count, why can't I?

Welcome Senator Franken. Now get to work and let's pass health care reform that includes a strong public option!

Al Franken will make a fine representative for his State. There is no doubt that he is a free thinking individual in a country that seems to be a like a herd of sheep. To those of you who cannot separate Al from his SNL days, I suggest you read his books; they are well thought out, informative and all too often, dead on.

The Republicans showed their true colors by fighting Al's election, they are so full of spite that they make my head spin.

Good Luck Senator Franken!!

The government is now completely in the hands of libs...This is now Obama's economy, and he just started a war in Afghanistan.

Let's just see where we all go from here...

I see a movie in the making, and the title of the movie is "Mr. Franken goes to Washington."

Stuart Smalley in the Senate. Another idicator that the government is a mess.

Al is well educated, very knowledgable regarding the issues and is not afraid to stand up for the folks he represents. I wish him well and wish my state had two more just like him.

Congratulations Senator Franken!!

Anybody who has a book titled "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot" can't be all bad!

I'll betcha he tells an obscene and/or vulgar joke in his acceptance speech, so that it will have to be bleeped out when TV covers it. How does foul mouth vulgarity make it to Washington DC? Oh, better not ask.

Sen. Franken is an exceptional addition to the Senate. Bravo to you sir!

Another idiot in the Minnesota circus! Wake up people.

Congratulations to Al Frankin .Keep your chin up and your back covered cause there are people just waiting for you to fail. Don't fall into the traps that are inevitably being set for you.We have faith in you . Work hard and make us Proud to be Democrats.
Sincerely,
Pricilla

For those of you offended by celebrities becoming senators, I offer you Fred Thompson. The man is inept without a script. At least Al knows how to think of the lines instead of just read them.

I guess it just goes to show, that any "Joker" can get elected these days!!!

He is going to have a tough time representing the other half of MN as well as middle-of-the-road Democrats. Franken is far left. The DFL in MN has never been part of the fringe progressive bloc.

It is funny that MN is electing more Hollywood types than CA!

A great addition, although with Barbara Boxer and Harry Reid already there and having seniority, he will be the junior idiot. Another puppet for Obama.

I am obviously NOT Al Franken, but to the person who accused me of being him: Thanks.

Senator Franken has much more important things to do than sit around reading the nonsense posted on this "ticker" much less responding to it, I'm sure.

It is also apparent that the person who doesn't think Franken is funny, has not watched his work on SNL or read his books. My favorite is "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" because it got BillO so upset. His blotchy picture on the front next to sneering Cheney, & under Ann Coulter (he only wishes that were true in real life) and kitty-corner from Bush (obviously in the middle of a lie because his lips are open) was perfection.

I challenge anyone to read that book and not laugh. If you don't laugh you are a humorless conservative who wouldn't know a joke if it looked like George Carlin and bit you in the rear.

Enough July 6th, 2009 3:10 pm ET

Ok Democrats, I hope you support him because he is a Democrat, but understand he is a lousy choice for politician and quit trying to convince yourself he's so smart and intelligent . Democrats like to elect celebrity, but this guy can't even qualify under that category
-------------------------------–

OK....Wasn't Ronald Reagan a retired Hollywood Star? Let's get real....It's a new world......Obama is going to make tough decisions that should have been made under GOP rule, in the past 20+ years that America had them in office (minus B. Clinton).

Kind of looks like a goof ball, doesn't he?

After reading through the comments, I am once again convinced that America is mostly inhabited by uneducated and little people. Dick Luger is the only republican I respect. I can't think of another republican in Congress who comes close to Dick Luger as a Statesman. On the democrat side, you have many of the Blue Dog center-right Democrats. There really isn't much need for the republican party. The conservative democrats will keep centrist policies in place.

@ Sniffit,

I live in the MA where the past 3 speakers of the state house, all democrats, were kicked out of office due to corruption and/or felonies.

Yeah... THAT Massachusetts.

@ DaBird,

Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution sets three qualifications for senators: 1) each senator must be at least 30 years old, 2) must have been a citizen of the United States for at least the past nine years, and 3) must be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the State they seek to represent. The age and citizenship qualifications for senators are more stringent than those for representatives.

I turned 30 a month ago. I am now qualified to be Senator in MN. My background probably would make me a poor senator. However, I am still qualified and could run if I so choose.

Well, Minnesota, enjoy, because you voted for him, the jokes going to be on you.

Congrats Mr. Franken.......Now let's get this energy bill, and healthcare legislation through please.

@ Steve

"You are making my point. The problem is the arrogance! We elect people to serve us! The problem is most politicians continue to believe it is about THEM! It is supposed to be about US!"

You should email that to Sarah Palin. She can't seem to get off her "me" train.

Ok Democrats, I hope you support him because he is a Democrat, but understand he is a lousy choice for politician and quit trying to convince yourself he's so smart and intelligent . Democrats like to elect celebrity, but this guy can't even qualify under that category.

Franken "stole" the election? You mean like Bush stole it in 2000? The Supreme Court of the U.S. "decided" for Bush after his brother Jeb, Governor of Florida, and Katherine Harris, (R) Secretary of State of Florida, cooked the votes to get Bush/Cheney the electoral college win in the state and the Supreme Court picked their pet, Dumbya. And we all know how that turned out for the next 8 years! We're still feeling the repercussions, and will continue to do so for another year or so, until Obama can finally straighten out the mess. But give him more time – 6 months is way too short a timespan for anything to turn around. He will make it happen. Obama definitely has talent in the brains and diplomacy departments, that's for sure.

It's about time that Franken was seated. Congrats sir!!!!

Peace

Palin will be just fine. She just got shock out of the system because she did not know how to manage her press. She thought if she really really tried she could controle the media. She learned otherwise. That was the same problem Mrs. Clinton had hey PUMA?

Congrats Senator, thanks for hanging in there.

Why doesn't CNN ever post anything negative about Democrats? The Republicans can take an early vacation as the Democrats don't need them for votes.

The Republicans can take an early vacation as the Democrats don't need them for votes.

I know liberals are touched, but if anyone really thinks that Stuart Smalley is qualified to be Senator, then you must also think that Obama is qualified to be President. Debt now 11.4 trillion. Who's going to pay it back?

!Oh Boy!!!??? July 6th, 2009 2:50 pm ET
Hi. I'm Al Franken, the Senator And you're not
--------------------------
You are making my point. The problem is the arrogance! We elect people to serve us! The problem is most politicians continue to believe it is about THEM! It is supposed to be about US!

@ Al-Chesapeake July 6th, 2009 2:35 pm ET

All you liberals jumping on Coleman because of the recount sure have short memories considering your own Al Gore done the same thing in 2000.
-------------------
Seems to me that Gore won the state ruling and W challenged the recount to the US Supreme Court. And Gore didn't drag it out six months longer than necessary just to spite the "winner."

The only thing "funny' about Al Franken is that he was losing until a box of ballots "magically" appeared in the trunk of a car.

@ Fair is Fair

You must be living in a different MA than the one I'm in. Have you been drinking from the Charles River?

Members can vote as they like on the underlying issue, as long as they vote "Aye" to end debate. The business of the United States will finally get done.

Some people get right to work(Franken), while others just pick up and leave it(Palin, Sanford).

His district must cover Manhatten Beach.

DJ,

The people of MA are sick and tired of 1-party rule in this state. Governor Deval Patrick will never be re-elected. NEVER. And yes, I think the people of MA, myself included, will vote a republican to the Senate. Count on it.

Hey, Frankens next movie will be called Stuart saves Congress. Probably be out next fall for a run time of 88 mins... and 4 years!!!!!!!!

I'll say it again: Any incumbent Senator that gets less than 50% of the votes is clearly not the people's choice. Coleman was a scumbag, and most of us here in MN knew it. Most of the people voting for him were either voting in lock-step like most Republicans do, or just voting against Franken. Also, if Barkley had kept his nose out of it, like he should have, Franken would have had a much clearer majority. Overall, though, at least the right guy finally got in there.

It's about time this matter was settled and Coleman stops wasting money and time on his lost election. Now if the rest of the Republicans in Washington will actually do some work instead of whining all the time, they might actually come up with suggestions on moving this country forward instead of living in Reagan times (and trickle down economics helped put this country on a treacherous greedy path). I'm sick of hearing about coleman, Michael Jackson, and Palin. come on CNN...get some dignity back.

Congrats to you Franken!

Change might require a nuanced outlook. I think that it is really easy to blame all manner of things of stupid or inept on "politicians". Anyone can do this and, in fact, who hasn't read comments like "Mississippi Mike"'s before? Think that everyone else is bad? Run for office, convince others you are different and win. I think that this what most people in public service at least intend to do.

As a Republican, I couldn't be happier to see Al Franken seated as a senator. He's going to be such a hassle for the Democrats, and he's going to say and do things that make their whole party look unprofessional and incompetent. Congrats Al Franken; you are fuel for the 2012 GOP comeback.

Wit and brains! How sweet it is. Senator Franken will be independent, voting to serve the people. Love it!

Look Dumb and Dumber.

If only an Ivy League education was a guarantee to the American public of morality, intelligience, pragmatism, selflessness and an overwhelming respect for the property and gains of others.

Governments, Media, Education, Healthcare, Charities, Industries, Corporations, Unions, Oversight Groups, Financial Institutions, Advocacy Groups, Lobbyists, Think Tanks, EPA, Wall St., ETC.
are chocked full of Ivy League, Oxford and Rhodes scholars that helped steer this country ever deeper into this chasm of waste through deception, greed, theft and self serving interest.

After all, these people know better how to spend your money than you do.

Hi.

I'm Al Franken, the Senator

And you're not

R.I.P. America.

Congratulations Mr. Franken...welcome to Washington DC!!

I would place a cash bet that Al Franken's IQ and understanding of politics is equal to or higher on all counts than Coleman's. That's why Republicans are so afraid of him. He's also someone who won't mince words when he's not happy about the way things are handled in Washington.

The people of MN are lucky to have him. Al could have made and was making MUCH more money outside of Congress.

Read some of his latest books. Oh - wait. First you have to know how to read. Well - if you do know how to read, read them. Then you'll realize why so many of the neo-conservatives hate his guts: Franken knows their game and calls it in public for others to see.

I will give the Republicans Senators credit they can hold thier numbers 99% together on all votes. The Dems well lets say if they had 75 Dem Senators to many big egos they will not stop the Republicans Fillbuster.

Dan wrote:
God help the people of MN. After 4 years of Obama and 6 years of clowns like Franken… maybe people will begin to wise up to the leftist agenda that is being crammed down our throats. All of this because the Democrats were able to paint a false picture and attack good people with their lies – effectively. The Democratic party should be proud of the good job that they have been able to do with their "Yellow Journalism" and ability to tell lies until they are perceived as truth. God help us all.

Danny, the current left leaning policies are only a response to 30 years of right leaning policies starting with deregulation and trickle down economics. Look where that got us. Get used to it. It'll be this way for a while. But the pendulum always swings back the other way. Patience, Grasshopper, let the democrats run things for a change. Have a nice day!

Thankfully the obstruction is finally over.

Eat your heart out, reds.

@Durtch/Bad Newz, VA July 6th, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Mississippi Mike. Last I checked, the clowns of Congress primarily reside in the Republican Party. Just to name a few: Boehner, Cantor, Hutchinson
-----------------------
The last time I checked clowns abound in BOTH parties! Both parties are equal opportunity clown employers!

now you're gonna see "bipartisan change"!

Dan July 6th, 2009 2:25 pm ET

God help the people of MN. After 4 years of Obama and 6 years of clowns like Franken… maybe people will begin to wise up to the leftist agenda that is being crammed down our throats. All of this because the Democrats were able to paint a false picture and attack good people with their lies – effectively. The Democratic party should be proud of the good job that they have been able to do with their "Yellow Journalism" and ability to tell lies until they are perceived as truth. God help us all.
------------------------
Yea, Bush was the greatest President ever. Who cares if he failed at everything (Winning wars, finding WMD's, Stock Market dropping, Infrastructure Crumbling, Bill of Rights revoked, Torture enacted, world image destroyed, Mass Genocide, lower employment rates then when he took office, Finding Osama Bin Laden, Housing Market dropping out, Auto Industry failing, EVERY child left behind). Despite all that, he was PERFECT!

And yea, the media made up that stuff about Sanford, Ensign. Palin deserved a permanent vacation, she didn't quit!

That darn media is creative. They made all those things up!

Windfall, speak for yourself, people like me, from Sandstone Minnesote think this guy is not only a clown, but an exposed liar, a cheat, a drunk, and a drug addict, and a narcosist. that should about cover it.

Norm Coleman however was just a so so polititian, not like the air america failure Al Frannken, He sucked as a radio host, and I suspect he will suck as a senator.

With his killer grin, from SNL, to senator seat, AF will, hopefully, evolve as a constructive contributor to the senate and still retain a sense of humor.

UGH! Scary thought.....

Franken is, pure and simple, another leg in the stool of incompetence that is the democratic party. Unfortunately, we have an electorate in this country that is too dimwitted to see the long-term consequences of the agenda now being put forth, devoid of any understanding of the priciples of liberty and self-responsibility our country was founded on and all too ready to stand in line for a hand-out. Franken clearly 'stole' the election by perfecting what Gore was stopped from doing in FL in 2000 (remember, pinheads, Bush was ahead when the votes were counted – and was never behind). At least if we are to be socialist, call the handouts what they are – WELFARE ... every recepient of should be embarrassed and ashamed....

It appears that the only good thing that comes out of Minn. is Prairie Home Companion.

Not sure Byrd and Kennedy are Capable of voting. Mary Landreu is very conservative and will not toe the Obama Line. I really don't think the D's can put together 60 votes.

The republican party is lock-stepped?

It looked like a goose step to me, but hey, i just love a parade.

This guy Frankin is the best thing that could have happened to the state of Mn, Colman did nothing for the working man in Mn. He was Big Buss. all the way, Now when we get rid of our Govener who has took money from hosp and clinics for the poor and not working, up north and accross our state, please remember this when one of these fools runs again for something.. Oh yes they will! And I for one will Vote against them. Laborer in Minnesota.

Mississippi Mike:

HOW did he steal the election? Did he STOP the recount, as Bush did?? No, he let the courts decide, and they decided. Typical Republican that whines when things don't go their way.

Chris – you must be a pretty boring soul to read anything written by Franken, his hateful radio show didn't make it, did it. Most Democrats don't read books or listen to talk radio.

Franken supporter – You must be Al Franken, to actually believe Franken is anything but a lousy comedian? Having a degree does not translate into being smart or having common sense.

All you liberals jumping on Coleman because of the recount sure have short memories considering your own Al Gore done the same thing in 2000. Try saying/typing something smart for a change.. We need politicians in DC that will look out for the good old USA not
their own agenda.

Congratulations, Al. Even former GOP House Member Vin Weber said that Al won the election fair and square. Contrary to some bizarre urban legends, there were no ballots "discovered" in the trunk of a car. Ballots were counted and recounted in accordance with the rules of the state in full view of both campaigns and anyone else who wanted to see.

Also, there were more judges appointed by Republican and Independence Party governors on the panels who reviewed the election than those appointed by Democrats. Do you really think all of those results would have been unanimous for Franken if any evidence of fraud had been substantiated? No, I don't think so.

"It's our hope the 'party of no' is coming to an end," Reid said.

It is our hope, too, Senator Reid, but I'm not holding my breath. I haven't seen a detailed plan on anything from the right in a very long time. I don't know why they won't participate in finding solutions to our many problems...maybe the commute is too long or they are too busy with their mistresses. I don't know what they're doing, but it isn't helping average Americans one little bit!

Fair is Fair . . . please tell me you do not believe the people of MA are ignorant enough to vote a republican into the Senate.

Another clown to fill the ranks of the democratic House.

God bless Senator Franken!! He won fair and squre. Don't take my word for it. Ask the State Supreme Court! It's not surprising the Repugnants are howling like wouned pigs. They *hate* to lose, and will do almost anything to ensure they don't. But truth will out. And, Senator Franken won! I have every confidence that he will be a fine, fine Senator, and serve both his state constituents, and our country well, and make us all proud. God bless you, Sentor!

Dear Dan
July 6th, 2009 2:25 pm ET

What you describe is right out of the GOP playbook. Each and every item you accuse the other side of the GOP has done. Done, not as in going to do, but done as in all ready accomplished.

Reid and Franken in the same picture? What a dumb clown act!

@ Mississippi Mike

Last I checked, the clowns of Congress primarily reside in the Republican Party. Just to name a few: Boehner, Cantor, Hutchinson

@ Mississippi Mike

First, he won't be making decisions on your behalf...he will be making decisions on the behalf of the people of Minnesota. Second, he didn't steal the election, votes were counted and he won by 300 votes. Do you not like the democratic process? Third, Obama's policies are not disastrous, the situation he walked into after 8 years of Bush is disastrous. I find it very funny that after the last 8 years of watching Bush and the GOP destroy our country you are hungry for more. Bush punched a 2 trillion dollar hole into our economy and all you can do is blame BO? Try putting the blame on the people that put us in this mess.

You guys do realize that he graduated from Harvard with a degree in Math. He might be a comedian, but he is no idiot.

Go Senator Franken!

God help the people of MN. After 4 years of Obama and 6 years of clowns like Franken... maybe people will begin to wise up to the leftist agenda that is being crammed down our throats. All of this because the Democrats were able to paint a false picture and attack good people with their lies – effectively. The Democratic party should be proud of the good job that they have been able to do with their "Yellow Journalism" and ability to tell lies until they are perceived as truth. God help us all.

Mississippi Mike: Stuart Smalley is smarter and better looking than you. You're just jealous.

Al Franken did NOT steal the election but Coleman sure tried his best. If you don't like people who steal elections, why were you so fond of George W. Bush? Oh, you know you voted for that miserable failure. Talk about a clown. He was worse than a clown. He was a moronic idiot who made critical decisions that were always wrong. Every time.

Al Franken is too good for people like you, but lucky for you you get him anyway.

I'm sorry Franken, but being seen anywhere in public with Harry behind you isn't a good start!

Unless Kennedy gets off his death bed to go to the senate, I only count 59.

So, Teddy... when are you going to call it quits and allow the people of MA have proportional representation in the US Senate?

Are you waiting for the MA legislature to change the law back to having the governor appoint a vacant senate seat?

Wrong on 60 Democratic senators. There are 2 Independents and a whole lot of senators who are DINOs, including both from my state, who support corporate interests over their constituents.

A clown with a Harvard degree.

Mississippi Mike wrote: "Another clown joins the circus. All he had to do was steal an election."

Our state legislators are to blame for this. They have still not figured out a way to register voters, hold an election, and provide an accurate count. Every close election is now considered to be "stolen" by the losers. If Frankern had lost, Mike would be satisfied with the results, but because Mike is Conservative, he feels ripped off. Since Franken won, I feel better, but neither Mike nor I know who really got the most votes.

Al Franken didn't need money or fame. He could have made much more as an entertainer and author. He didn't need to give up his family's privacy and take the dirty political crap that is only just begun to be flung at him.

But Al Franken is a man of honor and integrity. He saw a civic duty to step in and DO something, not just complain about the state of affairs. Good for him. Too bad more there aren't more of our elected officials who were in that career path to do what's right for the country and not for personal gain, power and fame.

Senator Franken is a very intelligent man with a math degree from Harvard. There aren't any successful comedians who aren't smarter than the average citizen. If it was easy everybody would be a comedian. Instead, everybody tries, but few succeed. Billo only succeeds at being funny because we're laughing AT him, not with him.

Minnesota is lucky to have such a hardworking, intelligent man of integrity as a representative. America is lucky he's one of our 100 U.S. Senators.

To those Republicans disparaging Franken's past, may I remind you of Sonny Bono (sorry, Sonny, I loved your music and your humor but not your politics) and Ronald Reagan (who played sidekick to animals).

Finally someone shorter than I am in the United States Senate!

Get a grip, Mikey...Steal the election? Coleman was all ready for Franken to concede when he had a slimmer margin – but when it went to the recount, and the results showed the opposite, did Coleman (for the good of the people of Minnesota) step down? He had to take it all the way to the state Supreme Court.

The Democratic party is not lock-stepped like the Republicans

This was a razor-thin election, and with the varying and confusing standards employed in Minnesota, I can see how many Coleman supporters honestly think he won.

However, even if you didn't think Franken was a better choice before the election, Coleman's shameful behavior since the election ended should seal the deal.

How can anybody say the counting should stop when they are ahead, then when they fall behind, stretch out the process for eight months? Even by political standards, that is a mind-boggling level of hypocrisy.

Senator-elect Franken is well educated, well spoken and will be a fine representative to the U.S. Senate. If he can do half the job of our Senator Klobuchar, Minnesotans will be well served.

God bless you Senator-elect Franken! Make us proud!!

Oh! And lets not forget the new jester..., some could obviously consider that a whole new party in itself.

Anyone who thinks Franken is not smart enough to be in the Senate should read his books. I've read almost all of them, and I listened to his show on Air America. There is no doubt that he will be a great senator. Calling him names will not change that.

People outside of MN see him as a clown, but here in MN, we know better. He's extremely educated and very serious about getting the state back on track in Washington.

Norm Coleman was hand-picked by The Evil Dick Cheney to run for senator. Enough said.

Another puppet for the puppeterr Obama, just the change this country needs to sink it a little closer to bankruptcy! Minnesota should be embarrased for sending this clown to Capitol hill. Democrats will have no one to blame, not even Bush for the disaster they are creating. Waiting for 2010 to stop this 3 ring circus.

The best team in politics evidently doesn't know the difference between a democrat, a socialists and an independent. No wonder America no longer comes here seeking truth..

As Washington welcomes this foul mouthed, clown, they turn their back and on a conservative, Christian woman. Gov. Sarah Palin. And then they wonder why Middle America sees them as out of touch.

Another clown joins the circus. All he had to do was steal an election. Now he can help ram Obama's disastrous policies down our throats. Can't wait for Stuart Smalley to make critical decisions on my behalf.