(Via Opening Arguments) Comedian to make serious run for U.S. Senate. Al Franken is going to run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota next year, most likely challenging incumbent Norm Coleman. Apparently Al was only about 20 years off in declaring The Al Franken Decade:
Al Franken: Thank you, Jane. Well, the “me” decade is almost over, and good riddance, and far as I’m concerned. The 70’s were simply 10 years of people thinking of nothing but themselves. No wonder we were unable to get together and solve any of the many serious problems facing our nation. Oh sure, some people did do some positive things in the 70’s – like jogging – but always for the wrong reasons, for their own selfish, personal benefit. Well, I believe the 80’s are gonna have to be different. I think that people are going to stop thinking about themselves, and start thinking about me, Al Franken. That’s right. I believe we’re entering what I like to call the Al Franken Decade. Oh, for me, Al Franken, the 80’s will be pretty much the same as the 70’s. I’ll still be thinking of me, Al Franken. But for you, you’ll be thinking more about how things affect me, Al Franken. When you see a news report, you’ll be thinking, “I wonder what Al Franken thinks about this thing?”, “I wonder how this inflation thing is hurting Al Franken?” And you women will be thinking, “What can I wear that will please Al Franken?”, or “What can I not wear?” You know, I know a lot of you out there are thinking, “Why Al Franken?” Well, because I thought of it, and I’m on TV, so I’ve already gotten the jump on you. So, I say let’s leave behind the fragmented, selfish 70’s, and go into the 80’s with a unity and purpose. That’s what I think. I’m Al Franken. Jane?
(SNL’s Weekend Update noted the end of the Al Franken Decade here.)
Jeff Pruitt says
I will miss his daily radio show…
John M says
Franken also wrote a fictional account of the 2000 presidential election called “Why Not Me?”, in which Franken used demagoguery on the issue of ATM fees to wrest the Democratic nomination from Al Gore and win the 2000 presidential election. Who could have known that the 2000 election would be more farcical in real life than in his book?
John Good says
I, too will miss his show. In my case, just after I became a listener! I just added XM to my work vehicle two weeks ago. . .