Al Franken's next standup gig- U.S. Senate

[scooter]

i still think mitt romney will be the best all around choice if he wins the republican nod

[GrayBear]

in Franken's case some of them heard for the first time by someone other than his cat,

You get my nomination for the funniest imagery in a non-election year.

[Adam Gamradt]

More on Franken today.

Franken said the large number of uninsured people in the country end up costing government much more than if they were to have some form of insurance.

"I don't think it will cost us any more. I think it will be cheaper," Franken said. "Every other advanced country in the world has universal coverage and they all spend less than we do on health care."

Brett, Coleman narrowly defeated Walter Mondale, who ran in Wellstones place.

It was very close, and I believe that the outcome was decided by the memorial service, which some people saw as politicizing the tragedy, and probably kept some voters away from the polls.

People on the right wing still have a lot of anger toward him for standing up for his beliefs. I even had a Wellstone bumper sticker ripped off my car about a year ago.

I believe the last vote he cast was against the Iraq War Resolution, which is a testament to his character. He was convinced that this vote would lead to him losing the election, or so he told his wife.

He was described as the conscience of the senate. One of my favorite quotes "I represent the democratic wing of the Democratic Party"

I recommend "The Conscience of a Liberal" Despite all the myths about us liberals being long winded, it's a pretty quick read.

[CATLAX MAN]

Norm Coleman is a weak Senator, and Minnesota deserves better.

Like Jesse "The Body" Ventura, perhaps.

[Jolly Roger]

Like Jesse "The Body" Ventura, perhaps.

Ventura was a governor and I don't think someone from the state that elected Aaahhnoold as governor should cast aspersions

[Sonny]

Like Jesse "The Body" Ventura, perhaps.

Ventura was a governor and I don't think someone from the state that elected Aaahhnoold as governor should cast aspersions

Also in the running for post of the year. But it's still early.

P.S. Sonny hails from the state that 15 years ago sent "Cooter" from the Dukes of Hazzard to Washington as a Congressman.

[laxfan25]

An interesting side note about Paul Wellstone, one of his very great admirers and friends in the Senate - John McCain.

[StrykerFSU]

Franken said the large number of uninsured people in the country end up costing government much more than if they were to have some form of insurance.

"I don't think it will cost us any more. I think it will be cheaper," Franken said. "Every other advanced country in the world has universal coverage and they all spend less than we do on health care."

That's not a policy, that's a sound byte. I think everyone agrees that there are problems with health care in this country, the debate is what to do about it. What does Frnaken propose? Raise taxes? Use our health care dollars more efficiently? Cap med mal penalties or insurance? Make health care transferable? Wake me up when he says something intelligent rather than just rants about whatever is the Republicans fault this week.

Al Franken offers only the same cyclical problem that democrats have faced for years. He's like that friend you know that always says, "NO BLOOD FOR OIL!". His arguments revolve around pop-political discourse, not actual policy implementation.

For Exhibit A, see above.

[Adam Gamradt]

Franken said the large number of uninsured people in the country end up costing government much more than if they were to have some form of insurance.

"I don't think it will cost us any more. I think it will be cheaper," Franken said. "Every other advanced country in the world has universal coverage and they all spend less than we do on health care."

That's not a policy, that's a sound byte. I think everyone agrees that there are problems with health care in this country, the debate is what to do about it. What does Frnaken propose? Raise taxes? Use our health care dollars more efficiently? Cap med mal penalties or insurance? Make health care transferable? Wake me up when he says something intelligent rather than just rants about whatever is the Republicans fault this week.

Al Franken offers only the same cyclical problem that democrats have faced for years. He's like that friend you know that always says, "NO BLOOD FOR OIL!". His arguments revolve around pop-political discourse, not actual policy implementation.

For Exhibit A, see above.

It's not a sound bite, it's an opinion (I don't think it will cost us any more. I think it will be cheaper,"), followed by a fact that supports his argument ("Every other advanced country in the world has universal coverage and they all spend less than we do on health care.").

If you read the article, he is formulating idea's in the public sphere, and he wants this issue to be a higher priority than the powers that be think it is.

Even our Republican governor stated that all kids deserve health care.

So, when Franken calls for Medicare coverage for all children, then I'd say it's a bit more than a sound bite, he did, but I'm not sure you read the article. It is the beginning of a discussion that should have happened a long time ago, but for the undue influence of business people in the medical sevice industry.

Again, even our Republican governor stated that all kids deserve health care. This is a bigger issue than partisan politics. I'm not railing against the Republican party.

As far as how to pay for it, how about we use some of this money?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/16/ ... index.html

Stryker, I think it's odd that you use empty rhetoric, to critique what you claim is empty rhetoric.

No blood for oil? How is that sound bite relevant to the health care crisis in America? Because one of Genck hippie friends said that to him and he posted it here?

No offense Genck, I love hippies. But I don't recall Franken shouting that at any point in the past.

[DanGenck]

None taken. I was simply trying to define a stereo type that everyone has encountered at some point or another.

[CATLAX MAN]

Like Jesse "The Body" Ventura, perhaps.

Ventura was a governor and I don't think someone from the state that elected Aaahhnoold as governor should cast aspersions

Yeah....but our governor can beat up your governor!

[WaterBoy]

Even with a broken femur?

[StrykerFSU]

Adam, I don't think I am using empty rheotric by questioning how Franken would address the health care problem. I believe they are legitimate questions. And no, I did not read the article as I think that Franken is not a viable candidate and this stunt is just that, a stunt. I know Franken is smart, he went to Harvard as he tells you on every other page of his books, but it doesn't take a genius to find problems. Any school kid can do that. The genius is in finding solutions.

While Franken may have never said "No Blood for Oil" (one of the more idiotic bumper stickers I see), and I'm not convinced that he hasn't said it or something like it, his statements about health care are in the same spirit. And this only supports my assertion that someone who has engaged in the mud slinging world of talk radio does not have a liberal radio station's chance in America of having a successful campaign. Believe me, organizations like vanguard.org are already combing his old shows for juicy bits.

As Dan said, the Democratic Party does itself a disservice every time it supports someone as polarizing as Al Franken.

As for suggesting the useof the money from Iraq to pay for health care, you have already assumed that people want the Federal government to pay for socialized medicine. Sorry, but I think that the thread about health care reform clearly showed that not to be the case.

[Tim Whitehead]

Like Jesse "The Body" Ventura, perhaps.

Ventura was a governor and I don't think someone from the state that elected Aaahhnoold as governor should cast aspersions

Yeah....but our governor can beat up your governor!

Here's how I imagine that fight would play out... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqZrk6RxLXo

[DanGenck]

As Dan said, the Democratic Party does itself a disservice every time it supports someone as polarizing as Al Franken.

And the Republican Party when they support someone like Ann Coulter, etc etc. Trying to stay balanced.