WASHINGTON (CNN) - Al Franken's headed to Iowa, and a good steak may be one of the reasons.
The junior senator from Minnesota is the headliner Sunday at Sen. Tom Harkin's 32nd annual Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa.
"Tom is a good friend. I admire him a lot," Franken, best known from his years as a comedian on "Saturday Night Live," told the Des Moines Register. "But also, I like steak."
The Harkin Steak Fry is one of the Iowa Democratic Party's biggest events, and in years when the party's presidential nomination is up for grabs, it's a draw for Democratic White House hopefuls. Barack Obama's appearance at the 2006 steak fry was a signal that the then-senator from Illinois was seriously considering a bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
Now that Obama is president, the steak fry, at least for the next few years, will most likely not hold the same draw when it comes to presidential politics. But it's still considered a major event for Democrats.
Franken narrowly edged out Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in an election that turned into a drawn-out recount and legal battle. The eight-month battle finally ended in June, when the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously upheld Franken's 312 vote victory.
While he's known as a funny man, Franken says he's got serious things to discuss on Sunday.
"I'll talk a lot about health care. That's the big fight now," says Franken. "I'll put it in the context of the kind of progressive politics that Sen. Harkin and I believe in."
Health care will be on Franken's mind Saturday as well, as he Minnesota's senior senator, fellow Democrat Amy Klobuchar, join the president at a health care rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
As for Sunday's steak fry, Harkin says he expects Franken will crack some jokes, but also address serious issues.
"We always expect to have fun, have a good time and re-energize our batteries," Harkin told the Des Moines Register.
From CNN Politics
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It will be someone elses steak stolen to give to him by ACORN and the union thugs, just like the election.
Archie Bunker's "MEAT"HEADS. ha ha.
Dear Honorable Franken,
Please pass on the beef. It is well known that red meat contributes to heart disease. The tax paying public can not afford to finance your coronary bypass as they will be strapped paying for the uninsured and illegal aliens' health care coverage. Have salad!!
W LeMasters, D.O.
Al is funny! He may not be much of a Senator but he is funny. I hope he gets to be the entertainment at the steak fry!
I was unsure about Al Franken when he ran, but after seeing him in action– and watching the video of him explaining his views on healthcare to a group of right wing "tea party" protesters– I think he may be one of the smartest, most clear-headed guys in the Senate. Plus he's funny.
Man, I am starving...I wish I was invited. I love a good steak.
Steak?
Then I assume there will be a PETA rally at the event... right?
Or are they going to be too busy scaring little kids at McDonalds with their so-called "unhappy meals"?
The hypocricy of the left knows no bounds.
Al: make sure that steak fry is Kosher!!
this man could become the best Senator of our time
we do live in corrupt times so the bar has been set low, but he, like Obama is a wise and good man
We are very lucky to have them
Does that mean that Franken is going to run for president in 2012? Well he might win, if Obama could win I guess he could too.
Why won't CNN investigate Acorn after all the recent videos of Acorn encouraging tax fraud and prostitution?
I love Al Franken. He might be a comedian, but he is also very smart with the political system. Also, who else saw him draw the US Map from memory?
Franken is going to be the best thing to happen to Minnesota. Just wait and see.
Fair is Fair @ 2:51:
The idiocy of the right knows no bounds
P.S. Liberals eat meat and Conservatives are vegetarians.
But Fair is Fair will always be an idiot.
Thank you, Senator Franken. You are a delight... Enjoyed watching the Senator at the MN State Fair drawing the US free hand, and from memory. He's great for supporting vets and right on universal health care.
Now that Franken's seen the cowardice of his democaratic peers in regards to health care, I'm surprised that he's willing to sit at the same table with any of them. The only thing that should be on that menu is humble pie and blood pie. I wouldn't share a beer with any of them if they bought he whole keg and paid the Grateful Dead to be the house band. There's not a single honorable person in the whole lot.
Al Franken is proving to be the gem some of us knew he would be. He's' so dang smart, and he's also very patient with people and willing to listen.
If you haven't seen it, go to YouTube and type in Al Franken Draws the United States. It's unbelievable that he draws the country freehand.
This is news?
Al Franken and Tom Harkin: Dumb and Dumber.
Typical liberal. Not only is he hurting the environment by flying to an event, eating meat has a greater carbon foot print than cars. Where is PETA when we need them. I bet a Republican Steak Fry would have every animal rights activist in the country attending.
I'll be sure to take his diatribes on climate change with a grain of salt from now on, seeing that he is willing to fly to Iowa for a steak.
But, then again, it is a handout – something no Democrat can turn down.
Keep up the good work Franken. Enjoy the steak. I think I will put one on the BBQ this evening! Medium well, potatoe, slaw, fried okra. I am hungry now.
Why is this a story? He's not going to his own state, is he traveling on his own dime or is he mooching off of the taxpayers for his travel? It's pretty clear that he'll get a free steak lunch, but what about the hotel and the plane–I'm assuming we're picking up the tab for this "official" visit.
What's wrong guys? You got something against smart people being in Congress?
From the comments it is pretty obvious the right is doing well at its normal game of turning everything into either a conspiracy or an opportunity to attack the fictional boogeyman they think they are opposing. Hey guys, maybe you should worry about coming up with some ideas toward fixing our economy, foreign policy or health care that don't end in absolute calamity and lay off worrying about what kid's meals at fast food restaurants are called. Then maybe someone would take you seriously and your candidates might actually win some elections. Just a thought.
I Am The Great And Powerful Rush Of Oz September 11th, 2009 3:21 pm ET
Fair is Fair @ 2:51:
The idiocy of the right knows no bounds
P.S. Liberals eat meat and Conservatives are vegetarians.
But Fair is Fair will always be an idiot.
____________________
Do you realize how immature you sound with your diatribe?
Put away your crayons, now... mommy says your PB&J sammich is ready.
CNN. I can't believe you run garbage like this but don't report on the two incidents about ACORN in MD. and D.C. How the hell can you people look at yourself in the mirror and say I'm proud to be an honest newsperson?
I can't believe Franken said he likes steak! Franken is a flaming liberal. Doesn't he know steak is bad for his health and that people who eat red meat are adding to health care costs? And what about saving the planet. Does he not know the cows are a big cause in global warming? Cows should be wipped of the face of the earth and people should all be vegians. What is he thinking!!!!!!
You know, it is a constant amazement to me that we get a few, just a few bloggers who cannot resist bringing ACORN into every topic.
Guys (or gals), ACORN is a non-profit, which like any other company, hires people with flaws like you and me. They have had their fair share of idiots, who got fired. The stated policy of the organization is to increase awareness of voters, and to encourage voter registration. Yes, there were some issues in that, noone will deny that there were. But both President Bush, and Senator McCain were supporters of ACORN, both toured the main office and had photo ops there, and both supported the work of ACORN. So it is time to let go of the boogey bear of ACORN conspiracies. It just ain't so. ACORN doesn't even participate in the majority of states that went solidly for President Obama. So please, give it a rest. Paranoia is treatable.
As for Senator Franken...you rip and shred at a man who hasn't even been sworn into his office for but a couple of months? Coleman was there for years as one of the biggest "do-nothings" of the Senate. As for his use of federal money to travel to states other than his own, well, shall we start the litany with Sanford, using state money to fly first class to his mistress in Argentina, for goodness sake? He's going to become acquainted with people he will be working with in both the House and the Senate. At least he's not spending campaign money buying his daughter a $150 handbag!
I wonder if the right wingnuts will enjoy eating crow when health reform passes.
Man! The extremist-right-wing faction of the Republican party just gets crazier and crazier! And nastier and nastier! And more dishonest and more dishonest! One can only hope that they just combust in a big puff of hot air at some point and leave the rest of us alone!
It appears that ACORN is the wingnut talking point of the day. Is there a republican out there who could explain to the "not so bright" wingnuts of their party that you have to have a legitimate ID to be able to vote?
Why is this news? Who cares?
I Am The Great And Powerful Rush Of Oz September 11th, 2009 3:21 pm ET
Fair is Fair @ 2:51:
The idiocy of the right knows no bounds
P.S. Liberals eat meat and Conservatives are vegetarians.
But Fair is Fair will always be an idiot.
_______________________________________________
Beautifully said!!!
Minnesota....you should still be hanging your collective heads in shame.
Franken better enjoy his steak while he can. He voted to confirm Cass Suntien yesterday as the Regulatory czar. Sustien is an animal rights nut case. If Suntien has his way, we won't be able to eat steaks or pork or chicken or maybe even fish. When will the mainstream media start to take a serious look at the radical nut cases Obama is appointing to czar and advisor positons. Van Jones was just one on many along with Sustien.
Jackie in Dallas September 11th, 2009 4:05 pm ET
You know, it is a constant amazement to me that we get a few, just a few bloggers who cannot resist bringing ACORN into every topic
*******************************************************************
Have you seen the two videos about ACORN? Are you ok with someone bringing young girls into the USA to be prostitues. I sure hope you don't have any daughters.
Whomever spouted out 'You have to have ID to vote" is living in a fairy tale. Courts have blocked that in a lot of areas! Look it up! The liberals don't want IDs. What might be tfe reason? More votes!
Franken can draw a map of all 50 states....most of these morons who rail against him couldn't even name the 50 states.
I just realized that Mississippi Mike is the paid Fox entetainment blogger.
"He goes for the steak,but he stays for the beans"......
Hi States,
Yes he can – I remember him drawing that map on a dryboard way back in the 70s, and accurately drawing the borders of all 50 states in a segment about a presidential election.
Wish I could be there for this event. Love Iowa, and love both these guys. I am happiest that we can see that Sen. Franken is as intelligent as he is funny. A healthy mix, and we need more of that in Congress - especially more brains.
Enjoy, Senators!