Seating Al Franken Could Ultimately Backfire For Dems

KNOCK YOURSELVES OUT!

Now, The Post-"Victory" Hangover Begins For Democrats




*** UPDATES BELOW ***


Are Democrats truly ready for a Senator Al Franken?

As the party finishes celebrating its stolen election "victory", it must now contend with the sobering reality that a bona fide loose cannon has joined its ranks. The hangover will be unpleasant indeed.

Consider first that Democrats don't actually need Franken, as they've already got a healthy majority. And with Senators Byrd and Kennedy generally unavailable, that magical, filibuster-stopping number 60 isn't as meaningful as it could have been. In addition, other Dems up for re-election next year are already showing signs of keeping distance from Harry Reid & Co.


Soon, Democrats will realize that while the idea of Franken's victory in Minnesota seemed appealing last year, his belated seating now creates unnecessary headaches for the party. Here's why:


Far from being a team player, Franken has always placed his own interests ahead of others. Just ask his former co-workers at Air America Radio, Saturday Night Live and elsewhere.


While ordinary mortals in the Senate chamber are expected to use discretion in their public statements, this is a foreign concept to Franken. His "election" inserts a second Joe Biden into the mix, but with an added nasty edge not normally seen in the hapless vice-president. No matter what he promises, Al will NEVER change. He can't.


Let's face it: Franken's a rather unstable character. It won't take much to set him off. Has it ever? A bit of egging-on and Stuart will blow his top in full public view. Worse, he might even bark like a dog in certain circumstances.


As Franken's actions are now in full public view, the free ride is over. Though the media will continue to defend him, opponents will have better access to the details of his antics. It will become more difficult to escape scrutiny.


Though the Republican Party remains largely inept at this time, even its currently-lackluster leadership must recognize the potential goldmine Franken's seating has unlocked. Especially as he inevitably screws up, Stuart will provide a symbolic face of the Democratic Party that will likely result in additional contributions and votes for Republicans from coast to coast.

The result: Franken is a net-negative for the Dems.

The lesson: be careful what you wish for, sometimes it comes true!


UPDATES: liberals are using this news to warn Harry Reid that he must successfully implement a far-left agenda. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal suggests Franken must begin to win over GOP senators (fat chance) and there are signs of gloating on the left side of the blogosphere.


Classic Franken images: David A Lunde, Pete at IHillary

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