(CNN) - The Minnesota Republican Party is calling out Sen. Al Franken's over his refusal to grant Sen. Joe Lieberman additional time to speak about the health care reform bill Thursday night.
"Al Franken's petty and petulant behavior on…the floor of the U.S. Senate is an embarrassment to our state," Party Chairman Tony Sutton said in a statement. "In just six months, Franken has established himself as the most uncivil and ineffective senator in Minnesota history."
The incident in question came Thursday evening, when Lieberman asked Franken, then presiding over the Senate, for an "additional moment" to conclude his remarks after the allotted 10 minutes had expired.
"In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," replied Franken, prompting a surprised Lieberman to ask "Really?"
Franken spokesman Jess McIntosh said Franken was merely following orders from his party's leaders, who asked that floor speeches be kept within their time limits to keep the debate moving.
The incident sparked a sharp rebuke from Sen. John McCain, who declared, "This is the first time I have ever seen a member denied an extra minute or two to finish his remarks."
Though the liberal Web site Thinkprogress reports McCain himself refused to grant senators additional time to speak in 2002 when the chamber was debating the Iraq War authorization.
From CNN Politics
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NO – - – LIEBERMAN IS THE EMBARASSMENT
After President Obama forgave Lieberman for attacking his character and good intentions during 2008 presidential campaign, especially in light of Democratic Legislatures preference to terminate Lieberman's political career, the embarrassment is solely on "Joe the Jerk" Lieberman.
So Franken is a party shill? I don't understand.
Yes, republicans ARE an embarrassment. Retards speaking in public (such as republicans when they speak), are ALWAYS embarrassing.
NO – - – LIEBERMAN IS THE EMBARRASSMENT
After President Obama forgave Lieberman for attacking his character and good intentions during 2008 presidential campaign, especially in light of Democratic Legislatures preference to terminate Lieberman's political career, the embarrassment is solely on "Joe the Jerk" Lieberman.
Unfortunately for Franken, decency and class can not be taught! His arrogance and pettiness only proves his inability to perform as a leader or a gentleman!
Well, why don't we just make a mountain out of a molehill? Despite the fact there are probably not five people in the entire world who would want to listen to LieberLoser drone on about anything, the Senate has many things to do before the end of the year and they simply do not have time to grant every Senator endless time to talk. It is just another Republican stunt to stall the process. How come none of these wingnuts ever complain about that?
Rickster: Like I said in my earlier post, try actually watching the exchange between Franken and Lieberman.
To think that either Senator acted in any way other than civil proves the lunatic in this discussion is YOU.
this article is an embarrassment to journalism.
This is hilarious. Who are the Republicans to talk about being petty when they are the kings and queens of petty. Hypocrites.
Franken is petulant! WAAAAAAAHHH!!!
Mr. Franken a junior senator was extremely rude and disrespectful to do this to someone of Mr. Liberman's stature. I think his internship on Saturday Night Live is still instilled in his brain. I would like to hear a public apology from Mr. Franken. I never thought that much of him as a comedian and think even less of him as a senator. What was Minnesota thinking.
Surprise??? Not! Franken is a mental midget.
Actually what's an embarrasment is the GOP and conservatives in general. After the Bush years its amazing that they have the gall to comment on anyone's behaviour. What revolting, disgusting, degenerate pieces of trash.
Gotta love how FOX NEWS gets the fight all fired up only to make them all look as stupid as they really are!
It's about time someone shook things up in the Senate.
I would have paid to have that slow talking boring lieberman shut up! They were given a certain amount of time to babble. He went over his time, so he had to shut up and sit down.
mcnasty coming to his defense is another joke. This is the who just keeps on giving just like his vp candidate bimbette.
I really hope that the people of AZ don't vote him back in the Senate again. He's an embarrassment to the party.
No snub just what Lieberman needed, for trying so hard to sink the Ship of State.
@frankenisafraud - the only 'clown' the people of MN have put in office is Michelle 'crazy eyes' Bachman.
Senator Franken, you sir, are a hero. I will be contributing to your re-election fund.
Senator Lieberman – You are a shrivelled, impotent, little man and I will be contributing to whoever runs against you in your next election – I don't care if its freaking Sarah Palin. You are lower than low.
What! says actors should stick with what they know.
I'm curious: What's your opinion about Ronald Reagan .......?
My point exactly: A person's character and actions are what matter.
And in my book, Senator Franken is not only intelligent and hardworking, with the good of the American people as his intention, he's a class act all around.
the laughing stock of the senate ,,, way to go minnesota,, ha ha ha ,,,you new this loose screw was going to pull thing like this,,, ugh
Republican Party – TRULY PATHETIC. Can they just form their own country – out in the middle of the ocean preferably.
An embarrassment for whom? The Republican Party? LOL
both parties have their share of "NO" apparently.
You wanna talk Embarrassments?? What is embarrassing is the GOP holding up a Health Care Bill that the American people desperately need to cater to the Private Insurance Industry and while hoping that it will turn into some kind of partisan gain.
You Sir and the rest of the GOP, are the embarrassment!
I'm just glad that John McCain has finally experienced this before he leaves the Senate.