AP: No Franken Minnesota Senate Run Yet

FRANKEN: STILL NOT SURE

Senate Run Possible For Air America Host




In a fresh AP story, Al Franken is telling reporters today he's not sure whether he'll in fact run for a Minnesota US Senate seat in 2008. For some time, there has been strong speculation he would throw his hat in the ring to take on Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn), partly fueled by the Air America Radio host himself.

Certainly, such a race would give Franken an easy jumping-off point as Air America begins to wind down.

From the wire:

Al Franken has moved his radio show from New York City to his home state of Minnesota, but he still isn't ready to announce a U.S. Senate run for 2008.

The comedian and host of "The Al Franken Show" on Air America radio, began broadcasting his show from Minneapolis last week. He says he made the move because, "I just always consider myself a Minnesotan."

While Franken acknowledges the new locale might not bring as many guests into the studio, he won't address whether it's a step toward an eventual Senate candidacy. Franken recently told The Associated Press that he hasn't made a decision yet.

"I think I'll be deciding early to middle 2007," he said.

If Franken does intend to run, the story fails to point out he really can't admit that in public without running into possible FCC, FEC and professional complications, as the election draws closer.

Only a fool would indicate solid interest now and put his well-paying Air America Radio show at risk. That's because Sen. Coleman and any other potential challengers, including Democrats, could rightly raise a holy stink about a declared Franken candidacy while he continues on the air.


However, he sure sounds like a contender here, judging by the way he's recently been moderating his position on Iraq (from the Hillary playbook?) and downplaying ties to Air America:

Should he seek an elected office, Franken says his key issues would include developing alternative fuel sources, universal health care and dealing with corruption in Iraq. Franken recently returned from his third USO trip, making stops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Though many would expect the liberal Franken to favor bringing the troops home, he says that wouldn't be the best move.

"I think we are at a point where we have painted ourselves into a corner," he said. "But I know that pulling out now would be like ... the perfect bad ending to a perfectly badly done war."

If not for his asinine comments published yesterday (scroll down on our main page for the full story) about sleeping with Playboy centerfolds, I'd have been willing to call Franken's political and professional strategy cunning and potentially effective.

Frequently, the Radio Equalizer hears from Minnesota residents with varying opinions about Franken's viability should he jump into this race. Sure, he's vulnerable to attack ads on his role in Air America's sleazy corporate behavior, as well as others featuring his various public lowlights (repeatedly calling for Bush's execution and his room-clearing NYC speech come to mind).

In addition, his failed attempt to take on US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at a public event (above photo) didn't make Franken look ready for prime time, either.

On the other hand, he brings major name recognition, local family ties and national fundraising potential to the race. Franken has many friends entrenched in the liberal elite establishment (such as George Soros) and could count on advice from Hillary Clinton as well as other key Democrats with large-scale campaign experience.

For those reasons and others, a potential Franken candidacy must be taken seriously by opponents.

Your Amazon orders that begin with clicks here, regardless of your ultimate purchases, help to support this site's efforts. Thanks again!

Sinking Ship, Milk Of Amnesia: Pete at IHillary for the Radio Equalizer