The Minnesota DFL gave a quick nomination Saturday to Al Franken, the former “Saturday Night Live” writer, political satirist and author of books poking fun at conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly.
Franken is a flawed candidate for the Senate, to be sure. Republicans are gleefully rubbing their hands together as they contemplate the chinks in Franken’s armor. As a professional joke-writer on a show famous for its sometimes bawdy humor, Franken’s past is a gold mine of inappropriate jokes and comments. Much has been made already about his 2000 essay in “Playboy” magazine, and an article that describes him suggesting jokes about rape.
But Franken is also an intelligent, articulate man who is passionate about the issues. He apologized Saturday for things he said and did years ago, and is ready to focus on the issues at hand.
Republicans had best be ready to do that, too. There is plenty to differentiate between Franken and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. Republican’s may point to Franken’s record as a comedy writer, but Franken will be pointing to Coleman’s record as a senator.
So let’s get the bad joke business out of the way, and let the candidates talk about issues like the war, the economy, health care and energy policy.
