General Discussion

SomeGuyInEagan

(1,515 posts)

110. He is a policy wonk, in heaven now.

Mon Nov 10, 2014, 03:21 PM

Nov 2014

The SNL skits hinted at it, the Air America show gave us a peek inside, but man-oh-man, Al is so much more a policy wonk that we ever considered. And - in Minnesota and the country - seriously benefit. There is an intensely serious side to Al Franken and he is thriving as a Senator.

I think the comment upthread about him understanding that he can do more to help people as a Senator is on target and is what really drives him. To hear him talk about Franny's family and the role Social Security played in their lives when her father died young is memorable.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

166 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

For those who would prefer a different presidential candidate than Hillary [View all] MineralMan Nov 2014 OP

Your suggestions are spot on, my dear MineralMan. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2014 #1

Looks like right now JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #2

Well, of the ones you named: MineralMan Nov 2014 #7

Just throwing some ideas out there for people JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #16

That's good. We need to be discussing this right now. MineralMan Nov 2014 #19

A few more zipplewrath Nov 2014 #42

Julian Castro came up in the thread. MineralMan Nov 2014 #43

Clark and Richardson zipplewrath Nov 2014 #46

Well, that's true enough. MineralMan Nov 2014 #49

I agree with your opinion. Gov Schweitzer(sp?) is another mentioned. 7962 Nov 2014 #103

Franken jeff47 Nov 2014 #20

Has he even hinted at a run though? JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #24

I asked him if he'd consider a run at a campaign MineralMan Nov 2014 #32

So he's like Booker without the polish? JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #35

No, I don't think so. I think that he's just MineralMan Nov 2014 #37

I also think he realizes as a Senator he has more power to help people justiceischeap Nov 2014 #65

That, too. He's been very helpful to Minnesotans who MineralMan Nov 2014 #66

He is a policy wonk, in heaven now. SomeGuyInEagan Nov 2014 #110

Yes, he truly seems at home in the Senate. MineralMan Nov 2014 #112

And one of the things people seem to forget is that a Senator who stays in for years gains power jwirr Nov 2014 #111

That's very true. I don't know how long Franken intends to serve MineralMan Nov 2014 #114

No idea. jeff47 Nov 2014 #34

Franken in debate with Clinton would be awesome! LawDeeDah Nov 2014 #33

Other names Jim Lane Nov 2014 #76

Schweitzer JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #99

Agree. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2014 #141

He would be so disruptive! JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #142

I think he would appeal to the economic populists lumberjack_jeff Nov 2014 #144

In fairness BeyondGeography Nov 2014 #3

I think you make some excellent points. MineralMan Nov 2014 #10

Some people just want to attack Hillary. Kingofalldems Nov 2014 #4

It's a convenient way to attack Democrats... ConservativeDemocrat Nov 2014 #108

I met Gov OMalley (Md) this summer when he was campaigning Peacetrain Nov 2014 #5

I don't have a particular candidate I want to see run JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #29

Big pass on O'Malley Bmore84 Nov 2014 #52

That is interesting.. I have heard quite the opposite.. Peacetrain Nov 2014 #70

I would still like to see him in a primary run JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #73

I also live in Baltimore City and sus453 Nov 2014 #91

Agreed! BobbyBoring Nov 2014 #96

What bullshit. I'd never accept a damn GPS if I could find a way around it. 7962 Nov 2014 #107

I'm not a big O'Malley fan, but sus453 Nov 2014 #121

My son is a millennial..in fact he belongs to DU Peacetrain Nov 2014 #67

Biden and Edwards JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #74

Never cared for Edwards.. Peacetrain Nov 2014 #80

Now I liked Edwards even when I met him in 2004 JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #94

Jim Webb B2G Nov 2014 #6

Hmm....I don't think he can win the support of progressives, and MineralMan Nov 2014 #8

You're probably right, but if this election taught us anything B2G Nov 2014 #25

Wow, I think you totally missed the message of this last election. BillZBubb Nov 2014 #88

Almost all of our losers had that supposed strong appeal for unaffiliated voters. stillwaiting Nov 2014 #138

Probably nobody will be interested in running from the D side hfojvt Nov 2014 #9

and the OP knows that- but still keeps posting this same OP cali Nov 2014 #12

You keep saying that. So, link to some other examples of an OP MineralMan Nov 2014 #40

I suspect you're right. Given her polling, it may be very difficult MineralMan Nov 2014 #13

I'd say it's virtually certain that we'll have at least two candidates. Jim Lane Nov 2014 #71

ah Gravel, the progressive hero hfojvt Nov 2014 #78

sorry, but there's really NOTHING WHATSOFUCKING EVER that those of us who cali Nov 2014 #11

Wow. Negative, negative, negative. Is it possible to be more negative? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #14

Good question. MineralMan Nov 2014 #17

GOPers want negativity, they love it Iliyah Nov 2014 #92

So, if that's true, what's your plan for 2016? MineralMan Nov 2014 #15

What kind? zipplewrath Nov 2014 #44

The kind that win primaries and are running against Republicans. MineralMan Nov 2014 #47

Arlen Spector zipplewrath Nov 2014 #48

I never voted for Arlen Spector. He's never been on any ballot MineralMan Nov 2014 #51

Well to quote you zipplewrath Nov 2014 #54

I have no idea what you're asking about. MineralMan Nov 2014 #55

The one backed by Obama zipplewrath Nov 2014 #63

Arlen Specter blew with the wind. MineralMan Nov 2014 #64

Is this the kind you want? zipplewrath Nov 2014 #72

No. I thought he was dead. So he can't run. MineralMan Nov 2014 #86

So you continue to avoid the question. zipplewrath Nov 2014 #98

You know, when elected to office as a Democrat, Specter voted MineralMan Nov 2014 #105

You keep avoiding the substance of the question. zipplewrath Nov 2014 #146

I think they're going to run MannyG. nt tridim Nov 2014 #132

Third-Way Manny? Say it ain't so, Joe. MineralMan Nov 2014 #134

But THE most important question is...what do they look like? randome Nov 2014 #18

That's a downside for some people for sure. MineralMan Nov 2014 #23

THANK YOU! That's one of the truest statements illustrating the absolute necessity of revolution Zorra Nov 2014 #39

Nothing Robbins Nov 2014 #21

Where has Julian Castro been the past couple of years? randome Nov 2014 #22

Let's see: MineralMan Nov 2014 #27

He gave the keynote address in 2012 so chatter was that he was being 'groomed' for bigger things. randome Nov 2014 #30

Yes, he did. I remember. MineralMan Nov 2014 #36

I could see him as Veep JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #31

Yes, I can, too, and suspect that's why we're not MineralMan Nov 2014 #38

That would be Bernie. I have written, donated money to his Senate campaign and will Autumn Nov 2014 #26

If he's going to run, then he needs to declare and MineralMan Nov 2014 #28

I wish he would declare and set up a campaign but I see no hurry for him to switch parties yet. Autumn Nov 2014 #41

I disagree about the party thing. MineralMan Nov 2014 #45

The Democratic Party does have a lot of history. But their recent history Autumn Nov 2014 #164

Well, Bernie Sanders will do what he thinks best, I'm sure. MineralMan Nov 2014 #165

I prefer Sen. Whitehouse. He has all I'd like in a President. shraby Nov 2014 #50

I like Whitehouse, too. Is he considering a run? MineralMan Nov 2014 #53

Not that I know of. Sure would like to see it though. I think he shraby Nov 2014 #158

I always thought a Whitehouse in the Whitehouse had a nice ring to it. (NT) bhcodem Nov 2014 #145

Nita Lowey Man from Pickens Nov 2014 #56

You're not the first to mention Webb. MineralMan Nov 2014 #58

Probably not Man from Pickens Nov 2014 #77

Of all the political races, the presidency really requires a real desire MineralMan Nov 2014 #79

In other words, the "fire in the belly" and "happy warrior" type. DinahMoeHum Nov 2014 #104

That's a good way to look at it! MineralMan Nov 2014 #106

Question mainstreetonce Nov 2014 #57

YIKES allinthegame Nov 2014 #59

Can I have the budget of the DLC or the DSCC or the DCCC, too? merrily Nov 2014 #60

Anyone considering running either has set up a MineralMan Nov 2014 #61

How am I supposed to ferret out these people now? Besides, for two years, merrily Nov 2014 #84

Just search for any possible candidate with 2016 in the search MineralMan Nov 2014 #140

Warren has said many times that she is not running. merrily Nov 2014 #143

It seems like some people don't believe her. MineralMan Nov 2014 #147

Yes, I know. And? That's certainly their prerogative, but does that merrily Nov 2014 #159

Did Barack Obama fit that list back when he first ran? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #62

Sorry, but you were the "only one" zipplewrath Nov 2014 #69

" You don't get that because no one has heard of you." merrily Nov 2014 #82

Anyone in "the business" zipplewrath Nov 2014 #97

Totally agree. merrily Nov 2014 #100

Addressing the wrong people indeed. We out here in nowhereland will be Nay Nov 2014 #118

When he first ran, maybe. When the Party decided on him (IMO), no. merrily Nov 2014 #81

no, he did not Enrique Nov 2014 #90

yes, he did. La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2014 #116

Of course he fit number 3 in the fall of 2006 onenote Nov 2014 #137

I respectfully disagree. MoonchildCA Nov 2014 #68

Bernie, Liz, Franken, Grayson joanbarnes Nov 2014 #75

All good names. Which would you support? MineralMan Nov 2014 #87

No way on Grayson JustAnotherGen Nov 2014 #95

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2014 #83

That's not a serious suggestion, now, is it? MineralMan Nov 2014 #89

Just kick'n and recommend'n... SoapBox Nov 2014 #85

Thank you very much! MineralMan Nov 2014 #93

... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #101

The same holds true for local races tech3149 Nov 2014 #102

An active local Democratic Party organization is MineralMan Nov 2014 #117

I was for Hillary until yesterday.. I have changed my mind.. Elizabeth Warren all the way secondwind Nov 2014 #109

But Warren is for Clinton... brooklynite Nov 2014 #149

Funding og1 Nov 2014 #113

At the primary level, funding is bound to be at the grassroots level, MineralMan Nov 2014 #119

Thank you MM for starting an adult discussion about 2016... groundloop Nov 2014 #115

No thanks needed. This is important to me, and shold be important to MineralMan Nov 2014 #122

There is a third path and that is Clinton / Warren azureblue Nov 2014 #120

I'm very sure that has occurred to Hillary Clinton. MineralMan Nov 2014 #124

No one cares who Clinton's hood ornament is. What difference does it make to "pair her with TheKentuckian Nov 2014 #160

While I deeply hate to admit ... JoeFH Nov 2014 #123

I think you may be overstating the problem. Depending on who MineralMan Nov 2014 #125

I can't tell you ... JoeFH Nov 2014 #131

The Dems will have a small pool of potential candidates Iliyah Nov 2014 #126

The Republican Clown Car is Loading. MineralMan Nov 2014 #127

Thing is, Clinton could be that candidate, or close enough. n/t Orsino Nov 2014 #128

And she very well may be the candidate. MineralMan Nov 2014 #129

She's also going to be the next president. Orsino Nov 2014 #130

I like O'Malley and I don't even know anything about him. Kalidurga Nov 2014 #133

Well, I don't know much about him, so I woudn't say I like him. MineralMan Nov 2014 #135

I learn as much about a person by who hates them as I do by who likes them. Kalidurga Nov 2014 #136

hard to say MineralMan angrychair Nov 2014 #139

Lawd...I hope you're wrong about HRC. Stellar Nov 2014 #148

Cory Booker might fit that list. Boom Sound 416 Nov 2014 #150

Maybe. I've seen people call him a third- way Democrat, though. MineralMan Nov 2014 #151

I'm still not clear on Boom Sound 416 Nov 2014 #154

Depends on who you ask, I guess. MineralMan Nov 2014 #155

Dick Durbin. raging moderate Nov 2014 #152

Well, lots of people don't want to run. MineralMan Nov 2014 #153

Um, Hillary only meets two of these four points. She's interested, and well known. Scuba Nov 2014 #156

I wish I could think of someone that fit these criteria perfectly... DeadLetterOffice Nov 2014 #157

I find 2014, 2014, 2014! There is plenty of time to worry about the Presidency after the election TheKentuckian Nov 2014 #161

I was one of those who promoted thinking about 2014 until MineralMan Nov 2014 #166

I see that you support Hillary. Why? senseandsensibility Nov 2014 #162

How is it that you see that? MineralMan Nov 2014 #163