Writer/comedian Al Franken won a resounding victory in Minnesota at the Democratic convention, earning the right to face Republican Norm Coleman in November for the U.S. Senate seat. Franken had been dogged by criticism of some of his writing as a comedian, and the controversial nature of some of those writings had some believing his candidacy would collapse. From the New York Times:
Mr. Franken’s show of strength came as something of a surprise after a rocky few weeks in which some Democrats, led by Representative Betty McCollum, criticized a column he wrote for Playboy magazine in 2000 and, earlier in the week, joking comments he was reported to have made about rape that were included in a 1995 New York magazine article about “Saturday Night Live.”
Franken addressed some of those concerns in his victory speech.
Mr. Franken addressed the controversy in his nomination speech to delegates, where he said some of the things he had done over 35 years as a writer were “downright offensive.”
“I understand that,” Mr. Franken said. “And I understand that the people of Minnesota deserve a senator who won’t say things that make them feel uncomfortable.”
Franken has been a polemecist with a sharp edge, writing best selling books that have lampooned Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly. He will be a big target for the right, having left a wide trail of written material that Coleman will use to attack him. Should be an interesting fight, with a little humor thrown in for good measure.
Bill Manzi.com 
Mr. Mayor you PU-zzle me with this post! Why are you touting Al Frankenberry? Just BECAUSE he’s a DEMOCRAT? He said some “downright offensive” (an understatement) over the last 35 years and he’s still saying them! He is pritty much finished as a writer of comedy and as a talk-show host. Egad! Michael Moore he can’t be far behind. Is he a Democrat?
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Ben,
I have followed the Franken race somewhat and thought it of interest. The posting was not designed to tout him. I must admit that I always found the SNL bit about the Al Franken decade to be very funny. With that as a backdrop and in light of the controversy over his prior comments and writings I thought it would be a story that would be of interest to my blog readers. I did mention that controversy in my post.
Bill
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Al Franken was hilarious on SNL. Anybody remember the mirror bit for self affirmation? It was sooo funny. I read the book he wrote before jumping into the race. A slanted look at National Issues but never the less a good read. I hope he wins that Senate Seat in Minnesota. We need all the DEMS we can get in the Senate!
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OK. And yes, you did mention that controversy. But don’t e have enough controversy going on in this commonwealth?
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Chris,
The Democrats are in the majority now.
Do you want a national government based on the model of the Massachusetts general court?
Jules
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Your Honor,
A senator Al Franken will do for Minnesota what Jesse Ventura did as Governor.
Jules
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Jules
I take my chances with Al Franken. He is very sincere.
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Chris,
His Judgment and capability are demonstrated by the fact he drove the American network liberal talk show into bankruptcy after a short life. Turns out nobody listened.
He will be a Bush basher or Republican basher. We have enough of those. We need people who will be incorruptible (possibly a fantasy) and who will work resolve problems.
He ought to stick to what he’s best at, a joke writer.
Jules
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