Al Franken Headlines Politicon In Public Comeback

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Huffington Post

10/26/2019 10:52 pm ET

The former Minnesota lawmaker reflected on his time on the Hill, criticized Trump and cracked jokes during his speech at the “Comic-Con of politics” on Saturday in Nashville.

By Saba Hamedy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ― Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who resigned in 2017 following sexual misconduct allegations, continued recent efforts toward rehabilitating his public image on Saturday during a speech at Politicon.

“I know a lot of you might be wondering what I’ve been up to,” Franken said at the event, which some nickname the “Comic-Con of politics.” “Well, when I left the Senate, I said that I was giving up my seat, but I wasn’t going to give up my voice ... and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to do that and how to best make a difference.”

Marketed as “An Evening With Al Franken,” the former lawmaker’s speech seemed part stand-up routine (imitating former colleagues including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Chuck Grassley), part walk down memory lane (sharing stories from his time on the Hill and his comedic career), and part political analysis (mocking when House Republicans stormed into a secure room while carrying their cell phones). Franken also spent parts of the speech criticizing Trump.

“I’d like to turn now to the essential task before us, which assuming he’s in the White House a year from now, is defeating the sick, cruel, corrupt psychopath,” Franken said. “Now that’s just my opinion.”


Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/al-franken-comeback-politicon_n_5db2300be4b0a89374020d55

[mahina]

1. Thanks. Big love to him.

Sooner he’s back in public service the better. I love his podcast.

[True Blue American]

24. I listened to Al on CSPAN

Sunday. It killed me to think how we lost a brilliant Senator due to Roger Stone backed lies and over reaction in those who jumped in.

Sanford is running for President and he actually did what he was accused of.

[MustLoveBeagles]

2. I miss him

What happened to him was wrong.

[NBachers]

3. I want Al back in office.

[StevieM]

4. I would love for Al Franken to run for president. (eom)

[dchill]

8. I've thought that since he got booted.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. He'd be a good president, but he'll never get the job.

"Me-Too" was his Chappaquiddick, closing the door on his presidential ambitions. The photo of him jokingly pretending to touch a woman's bulletproof vest will sink him.

He'd still make a great senator, and I'd bet that door is still open to him.

[mpcamb]

20. What about Vice President this time around? Would he strengthen anybody's ticket?

He's a terrific debater, funny, and quick on his feet and honorable despite the the photo 'evidence.'

[IronLionZion]

22. Also wouldn't give up a Senate seat since he's not currently in office

Russ Feingold would also have many of the same benefits

[not_the_one]

21. He should apologize, say he is SOOOO sorry, that he meant to jokingly "grab her pussy",

and since that has been given the stamp of approval by ALL republican politicians and voters.... he would then be instantly forgiven.

[donco]

5. He should run for

office again. He served his penance.

[LiberalLovinLug]

6. This is so true:

"I think if he had been asked to apologize for it he would have done so. We all could have moved on. Instead they wanted to have a sacrifice.”

Hillary Clinton admitted she was in the wrong about the private email server, and after the intelligence services confirmed that no national security was compromised, and she apologized for it. And at least for Democrats, that was enough.

Why wasn't Al Franken give the same opportunity?

[brooklynite]

7. DU orthodoxy requires you to believe he has nothing to apologize for...

[hlthe2b]

11. And you and about four others seem obsessed with destroying Al Franken no matter what.

I do not get the intensity of this obsession. I just don't.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. +1 (nt)

[Vogon_Glory]

13. +1 n/t

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

15. +1...

...eom.

[brooklynite]

23. But I don't...

I’ve never posted an OP about Al, and as I’ve mentioned before I’ve given him more money than anyone else here. All I’ve done is restate know facts about the situation and challenged the “obsessive” blaming of Kirsten Gillibrand for what happened.

[jvill]

14. But since you're replying to a post...

... that assumes the opposite, and a thread that doesn’t say that anywhere, thus undermining your point about orthodoxy entirely, perhaps it makes sense to let it go.

[True Blue American]

25. Al doesn't have anything to apologize for.

The accuser was shown on stage grabbing a Country singers butt and rubbing against him.

Comedy is a raunchy business. But funny, Al has been married to Franny for 50 years.

[BlueStater]

28. Didn't he apologize for possibly making anyone feel uncomfortable around him?

Or maybe my memory is just failing me.

[StevieM]

19. The so-called private email server wasn't something she planned out in a methodical way.

It was something that neither she, nor anyone else, gave any consideration to. It was a non-issue. And it there was no legitimate reason for it to become an issue.

[hlthe2b]

10. Well, at least there is this ONE piece of GOOD news today...

Welcome back Al. Keep it coming.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. Klobuchar wins the presidency/vice-presidency/cabinet seat and...

...Minnesota governor appoints Al to her seat.

It’s almost too easy and too justifiable that sadly it will never happen.

[NurseJackie]

17. We need his voice... now more than ever before!

He would have destroyed Kavanaugh.

[True Blue American]

26. And Lindsey!

[Bayard]

18. I would love to have heard him in these current investigations....

An important voice.

[oasis]

27. I was great. Franken rambled on a bit, but that's just part of his charm.

He's is the one of America's most captivating storytellers.