Al Franken relishes policy role in new Senate job

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Al Franken has immersed himself in the health care debate. He's had a chance to question Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. He's signed on as a co-sponsor of a half dozen bills.

Weeks into his late-starting Senate career, the former comedian and self-professed lover of policy is focusing on a few issues and the daily details of his new profession. Forget the old celebrity stuff.

There was nothing flashy about the Minnesota Democrat's first victory. The Service Dog Veterans Act, which Franken introduced with Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., will set up a pilot program with Department of Veterans Affairs to pair service dogs with wounded veterans.

"He sought me out and I was happy to work with him," Isakson said. "He'd done his homework. He was very informed. It was obvious he was trying to hit the ground running."

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation/washington/congress/20090801_ap_alfrankenrelishespolicyroleinnewsenatejob.html

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So Franken is a hard worker from Day 1, while Sarah Palin, who was adored by those who attacked Al as unfit to serve, walked off the job.
Whodathunkit?

[Skittles]

1. he's a policy wonk is Al

yes INDEED :thumbsup:

[Lorax7844]

2. I'm so glad that Franken is in the Senate.

K&R

[Vidar]

3. I have hopes for Al. He hasn't had a chance to sell out yet & maybe his

idealism is strong enough to carry him through.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. I think he will

He embodies the spirit of Paul Wellstone.

[marshall]

10. I predict he'll be the model of the founder's "citizen politician"

Congress was never meant to be a decades long job where crusty old dinosaurs live out their twilight year. Initially they only made $6 a day--it was a true contribution from their heart to devote a term (or two at the most) to government.

[rwheeler31]

4. I am so glad we have a thinker in the Senate.

[Left Coast2020]

7. This may be asking too much,

but I would like to envision Al (someday) with a fire and passion like that rep. from NY who called repugs bluff on Medicare. I was talking to my neighbor about him today--equating him (Rep. Wiener--who was unknown to me) to a dude just signed from the Minor's and getting a H-R on first at bat in majors. Franken, we already know. I really would like to see him hit it out of the park--in the future of course. All in the name of Paul Wellstone.

[onestepforward]

6. He will be a great asset in the senate.

What I like the most about him is that he cares about people and he isn't afraid to speak out.

[DFW]

8. Idathunkit !

The mistake many (especially his opposition) made was to believe the Republican mantra that having Al Franken
in the Senate would just be like adding a court jester. They should have known better from their own example.
We laughed when Jesse Helms was elected from North Carolina, thinking what kind of damage could a radio talk
show host do in the Senate? We found out soon enough: plenty.

For those Republicans (and those few Democrats) who thought that all Al Franken would do would be to crack
one-liners on the Senate floor, they are in for the same kind of surprise--this time in OUR favor.

[mucifer]

9. He had several months he could have wasted. He chose to do his homework

with that time and hit the ground running. Very impressive.

[Catshrink]

11. But where's his flag pin?

:sarcasm:

I am really pleased to see that he is getting such positive comments from his colleagues. Hardly a clown, eh?

[felinetta]

12. Think this will make it to Fox News?

I think I'll email it to them anyway.