Althouse: Al Franken, a Senator at last.

June 30, 2009

Al Franken, a Senator at last.

And now, the Democrats have their 60. I am genuinely afraid!

66 comments:

garage mahal said...: Aw Norm, why the long face?; 6/30/09, 6:27 PM
Methadras said...: You should be afraid because it just proves how stupid the people of Minnesota are. It just proves that anyone can be a Senator. Al Franken as a Senator will be a disaster for Minnesota and for this country. This country really is in a decline now.; 6/30/09, 6:28 PM
traditionalguy said...: The Honduran anti-communist authorities facing invasion by Marxist murderers had better be afraid of this loss of separation of powers in the Democratic Republic to their north that used to stand against communist enslavement in this world until today.; 6/30/09, 6:29 PM
Roadkill said...: As a native Minnesotan, I must agree that my home state has a history of electing clowns to high office. Then again, they are sane enough to throw all the bastards out, as they did in 1978.; 6/30/09, 6:36 PM
Anonymous said...: To be absolutely honest, I don't see what the fuss is about. Presuming for a moment that the Dems stay in lockstep (a reasonably safe assumption), and that one (or both) of the Maine Mush-heads (Snowe and Collins) vote with them, Franken's vote was never crucial for a supermajority.
This changes very, very little...; 6/30/09, 6:36 PM
EnigmatiCore said...: Why would you be afraid?; 6/30/09, 6:47 PM
MadisonMan said...: To be fair to Minnesotans, you have to point out that the alternative to Franken wasn't exactly a sterling choice.; 6/30/09, 6:50 PM
rhhardin said...: Franken ought to do some comedy while he's there.; 6/30/09, 6:50 PM
1775OGG said...: What "f1" said! But, Jeez, what this means is that SCOMN is full of mush-heads and that the process of electing judges is terrible, exceeded only by the process of not electing judges. At least MN judges are elected for life, yet!

While there's much talk about splitting California into 3-states, MN needs to be spilt into Mpls/St Paul and then the rest of the state.; 6/30/09, 6:52 PM
Irene said...: At least there will be one Senator who acknowledges that he is a clown.; 6/30/09, 6:53 PM
SteveR said...: In November 08 this was sad joke, by now its just joke. Considering was has happened since January, Al Franken fits in perfectly well.

Har Dee Har Har America; 6/30/09, 6:54 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Meade:

Put your arm around the professor and tell her "this too shall pass".; 6/30/09, 6:57 PM
MadisonMan said...: That would be one long arm!; 6/30/09, 6:59 PM
Jeremy said...: Doesn't change the bottom line: anything bad is Bush's fault.

-The Other Jeremy; 6/30/09, 6:59 PM
The Dude said...: Bush got Franken elected? There might be some truth to that.; 6/30/09, 7:05 PM
Bender said...: Now, now comrades.

No need to be afraid. Who needs checks? Who needs balances?

Better to have total and unrestrained power in order to do whatever you want with impunity.

There's no stopping us now.; 6/30/09, 7:08 PM
TWM said...: Join half of the country - and growing every day - that is afraid too.; 6/30/09, 7:12 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Let's not forget it took more than six months to figure out who won. That is disgraceful.; 6/30/09, 7:20 PM
chickelit said...: Al Franken used to post at Althouse you know: link.; 6/30/09, 7:22 PM
traditionalguy said...: Did you see the California Democrat that said Talk show hosts have to be be stopped from terrorizing politicians on the radio. I am sure that Chavez, Castro, and Obama can get enough secret police together to stop such terrorist speech from checking and balancing politicians who need to spend our money.; 6/30/09, 7:24 PM
DKWalser said...: Let's not forget it took more than six months to figure out who won. That is disgraceful.

No, it took a few weeks for the Democrats to "find" enough ballots to "win" the election. What's disgraceful is the courts allowing them to get away with it.; 6/30/09, 7:26 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Hah. Good one Mad Man - I did not know Meade was in Cinncy.; 6/30/09, 7:26 PM
lucid said...: I can understand why you'd be afraid that the Dems will have even less reason to think about what they are doing, BUT Al Franken is such a goofy buffoon that he will be worth much more to the opposition than he is to the Dems.

And as Krauthammer said, it's nice to have at least one senator who admits to being a comedian.; 6/30/09, 7:37 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Both in Honduras, where many conservatives openly support a military coup, and in Minnesota, where they denied the will of the voters, the conservative movement displays their deep-seated hostility to democracy.; 6/30/09, 7:54 PM
Anonymous said...: Funny, AL, you seem to be oblivious to the truth.

In Honduras, where a megalomaniacal leader is ignoring the legislature and Supreme Court and in Iran, where protesters are beaten by their gov't, the modern progressive movement is routinely siding with the powerful against the less powerful.; 6/30/09, 7:57 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: News flash for kooky konservatives bleating the Honduras coup talking points:

Disagreements over referenda are not valid reason for a military coup against a democratically elected President.

If we support military overthrow of every government that has diplomatic relations with Venezuela, we will make a mess of our hemisphere and foment great instability.

Too many bad reasons to support a military coup. I've read your BS talking points.

You know, you don't have to oppose Obama at each and every step, especially in foreign policy. Sometimes it makes you come up with crazy reasons to defend the indefensible.; 6/30/09, 8:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Care to explain how it's a "coup" if the Supreme Court and legislature ordered the military to arrest him and the ex-President's party named a new President?

Coups don't tend to be asked for.

If we support military overthrow of every government that has diplomatic relations with Venezuela, we will make a mess of our hemisphere and foment great instability.

Why do you support taking sides in a purely internal issue? Why is it SO important we do it here --- but it was VITALLY important we not "meddle" in Iran at a point it might have done some good.

Well, congrats --- your side prevailed and the mullahs remain in power there.

Too many bad reasons to support a military coup. I've read your BS talking points.

Mine are based in objective facts.

What are your beliefs based on?

Does Honduras not really need checks and balances?; 6/30/09, 8:08 PM
Bob From Ohio said...: "If we support military overthrow of every government that has diplomatic relations with Venezuela, we will make a mess of our hemisphere and foment great instability."

I totally agree, just support a military overthrow of the government of Venezuela. Cut out the middle steps.; 6/30/09, 8:11 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Seeing the conservative support for a military coup in Honduras, it begs the question if there are conditions where they would welcome a coup in the USA?

I think the answer is yes.

We know the Republicans have politicized the military over the Bush Presidency. They put Republican talk show hosts on armed forces radio, they used troops in campaign events, their religious political allies infiltrated the Air Force Academy with Bush' blessing.

Yes, I think many conservatives could support a coup today.; 6/30/09, 8:13 PM
Anonymous said...: Seeing the conservative support for a military coup in Honduras, it begs the question if there are conditions where they would welcome a coup in the USA?

There definitely would be. If Obama decided to ignore a SCOTUS decision and the will of the Congress unconstitutionally, I'd applaud him being removed, whether the military has to do it or not.

We know the Republicans have politicized the military over the Bush Presidency. They put Republican talk show hosts on armed forces radio

Rush was there before Bush got into office and he was a write-in request by the troops.

they used troops in campaign events

Examples?

We get it --- you support dictators and thugs only if they hate America. Good to know.; 6/30/09, 8:16 PM
TitusHelloAgainMyFriends said...: What does it say about Norm Coleman and the republicans?

Norm Coleman seemed at least a little normal compared to some of the other republicans. Poor Norm couldn't win and he even ran against Bush.

We still have Beauregard Jefford Sessions III, from Alabama. And Huckleberry Hound from South Carolina. And don't forget Vitter and Sanford still hanging on by a pube.; 6/30/09, 8:18 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: scinfinity displays a weak grasp of the concept...

Care to explain how it's a "coup" if the Supreme Court and legislature ordered the military to arrest him and the ex-President's party named a new President?

Here's how: The military used force to remove a democratically elected President in the middle of the night.

That's a "coup."

Would it have been okay for Zelaya to have ordered the military to escort the Supreme Court out of power and the country in the middle of the night? Really?

And, the military follows orders from the Supreme Court? [Do you think before regurgitating this stuff?]

"Check and balance" is too important an issue to dumb down. It does not mean the military is a 4th co-equal branch of government that can remove any of the 3 other branches. Maybe the Honduran Constitution is different. I'd love to see a link to that effect.; 6/30/09, 8:20 PM
TitusHelloAgainMyFriends said...: And if we run wingnuts against the mishmash Maine senators we will lose Maine which is very blue. The southcoast of Maine, which is where 70% of the population is is basically an extension of Massachusetts. It's also very fabulous.

Sad, we are in sad shape.; 6/30/09, 8:20 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: scifinity flat out lies:

We get it --- you support dictators and thugs only if they hate America. Good to know. .

You're the one wiping your ass with democratic principles and you're stupid enough to write that. Right after you voice support for a coup in this country.

Liar and hypocrite.; 6/30/09, 8:27 PM
mccullough said...: AL,

You would have to agree that coup or lawful act, Obama is meddling.

Perhaps he is merely evoking without invoking the Monore Doctrine with Roosevelt Corollary.

But it seems more likely that it's the Obama Doctrine: If a country has a chance of getting nukes in the next 5 years, I back down. Otherwise I meddle.

Will the Honduran emissaries be disinvited to the 4th of July interview?; 6/30/09, 8:39 PM
john said...: I went through all of this earlier. This was the breakdown in the Nov 4 election:

Coleman: 41.98%
Franken: 41.99%
Barkely: 15.15%

Coleman and Franken then spent 7 months fighting over 0.011 percent of the votes, despite 58 percent of the total votes against each of them. In essence, both of them got creamed!

The states should have runoff elections, or a rule that the third place candidate has to award all his votes to one of the others (that would be fun!).; 6/30/09, 8:43 PM
TitusHelloAgainMyFriends said...: Le'ts not blame Minnesota or Obama or any other libtards.

Its time to take Michael Jackson's advice and look at the man in the mirror, preferably not Rush though because he is fat and unattractive.; 6/30/09, 8:47 PM
TitusHelloAgainMyFriends said...: The country is changing. Minorities are taking over and they are voting democrat.

Our day in the sun is over.

We can't even invoke Reagan anymore because they don't even know who he is.

And the media and Hollyweird and academia is so against us we can't even compete.

A sad sad day.

I have a thing for delivery drivers for some reason. They are hot and seem to want to do it.; 6/30/09, 8:53 PM
hombre said...: AL: Both in Honduras, where many conservatives openly support a military coup ....

You really are a Kos troll. If the Honduras Supreme Court finds that a despotic president has violated the law, orders him to stop, he refuses, and, as a result, the military is ordered to arrest him with the support of the Congress and the Attorney General, it is not a coup. Coups are extra-legal.

In this country the federal courts have U.S. Marshalls for enforcement. In Honduras, they use the military (which also carries out the mechanics of national elections).

Moreover, an election is regularly scheduled for November.

Interesting that despite every appearance of legality the lefty clowns here, including the clown-in-chief, have decided that this is a coup.

You lefties don't mind the idea of tin pot despots, if they share your ideology.; 6/30/09, 8:53 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Watch the conservative anti-democracy talking points crumble before the facts:

Honduran military ousts president ahead of vote. American conservatives think the after-the-fact vote makes the military coup excusable.

and....

The vote did not take place on the referendum, which asked whether another vote should be held on convoking an assembly to rewrite the constitution. .

A referendum on holding a referendum. That's the dire threat that leads conservatives to toss democracy. Nope. No further options there.; 6/30/09, 8:59 PM
TitusHelloAgainMyFriends said...: We still have the least educated, poorest and fattest and most pregnancies out of wedlock and divorces in states:

Mississippi
Alabama
Louisiana

Not too bad.

There is a light at the end of this dark dark tunnel.

Minnesota is a commie state anyways, who cares?; 6/30/09, 9:02 PM
Big Mike said...: @AL, you wrote "You know, you (conservatives) don't have to oppose Obama at each and every step, especially in foreign policy."

And we don't, we only oppose him when he's wrong.; 6/30/09, 9:03 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Yes, Obama is meddling in Honduras. Hooray for Obama!

These two situations are different. Such meddling is a tactical and strategic question. Affected by histories and how best to advance democracy.

I'd elaborate, but it's time to eat!; 6/30/09, 9:03 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: AL, the man is term limited. He's trying to undo that to hold on to power. How can you call yourself a liberal and support that?; 6/30/09, 9:09 PM
Frodo Potter said...: lucid said “I can understand why you'd be afraid that the Dems will have even less reason to think about what they are doing, BUT Al Franken is such a goofy buffoon that he will be worth much more to the opposition than he is to the Dems.”

Very true, though he is worse than a goofy buffoon. I think, given Franken’s brutish approach to discussion and his financial improprieties, the Democrats could regret his joining the Senate. This is all the more so considering that Coleman was hardly a right-winger. So in exchange for someone (Coleman) who was probably going to vote with the Dems a sizable minority of the time and is a reasonably classy guy, they have gotten someone who will vote 100 percent of the time and is an overgrown middle school bully. I think it’s only a matter of time before Franken does something completely off the wall. Feinstein, Kerry, Leahy, et al. must just be cringing, dreading the arrival of this monster.; 6/30/09, 9:14 PM
Anonymous said...: You're the one wiping your ass with democratic principles and you're stupid enough to write that. Right after you voice support for a coup in this country.

You can sit back and support authoritarian regimes conquering countries. Yup, there's never been a case in history of a gov't that warranted removal for violation of the law. None at all. Why, we should've NEVER rebelled...

...you ARE aware we are independent because of beliefs like mine, right?

Here's how: The military used force to remove a democratically elected President in the middle of the night.

The legislature and Supreme Court REQUESTED that they arrest and remove from office the President who was violating the law rather blatantly.

But, hey, as long as he's "elected", huh? Hey, wasn't Ahmedinejad "elected", too? My, shall we go over the leaders, historically, who were "elected" who you'd hate to see deposed.

Man, the apartheid regime of S. Africa should've held out a bit longer. Then they'd have the American Left COMPLETELY supporting them.

And, the military follows orders from the Supreme Court? [Do you think before regurgitating this stuff?]

I'd like to believe that if the legislature and Supreme Court requested that they do so that they'd follow suit.

"Check and balance" is too important an issue to dumb down. It does not mean the military is a 4th co-equal branch of government that can remove any of the 3 other branches. Maybe the Honduran Constitution is different. I'd love to see a link to that effect.

So, basically, make the Courts and legislature impotent since they lack the military might to make the executive do anything.

Truly progressive thought.

A referendum on holding a referendum. That's the dire threat that leads conservatives to toss democracy. Nope. No further options there.

It was ruled as illegal by the Supreme Court and legislature. Man, you used to have puppies over the "Unitary Executive" theory. I guess times have changed.

These two situations are different.

Yes, one had people who supported freedom trying to overthrow a regime while the other had the gov't trying to conquer people.

Shockingly enough, Obama sided with the government violating the law in both cases.

Such meddling is a tactical and strategic question. Affected by histories and how best to advance democracy.

Apparently, ignoring pro-democracy protests promote democracy while supporting a thug trying to ignore the co-equal branches of a government ALSO does so.

Intriguing,; 6/30/09, 9:16 PM
1775OGG said...: Given Franken history of physically attacking people with whom he disagrees, I can visualize Franken attacking another senator! There was a famous incident when Senator Sumner was caned by a Representative from the south. I predict that this time it will be Franken the Northerner attacking another senator. Franken did it in 2004 against another broadcaster's staff. Al is a fool, of course so is ALib.; 6/30/09, 9:21 PM
hombre said...: AL wrote: Watch the conservative anti-democracy talking points crumble before the facts ...

Facts from the AP? Please.

A referendum cannot be held in Honduras without authorization from their Congress (Title VII, Honduran Constitution). That was exactly the issue giving rise to Zelaya's arrest. He was trying to have a referendum without congressional approval in violation of the constitution to prolong himself in office.

There are comments all over the web from Hondurans trying to set the record straight.

Neither you nor the AP have any idea what you are talking about.; 6/30/09, 9:23 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: My last comment about a very mediocre comedian joining the Senate.He will feel very much at home because he is joining a group of very mediocre people.

Was the Senate once known for having esteemed, formidable and accomplished members? Cause it ain't today IMO!; 6/30/09, 9:26 PM
hombre said...: Obama is an amateur and he is making Hillary look like an idiot.

Let's just get along by going along with Ahmadinejad, the Mullahs, Chavez, Castro and Zelaya.

Booyah!; 6/30/09, 9:30 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: How can a coup be legal if the Supreme Court lacks the authority to give orders to the military?

The Supreme Court order is illegal, but you say the coup is legal?

Makes you wonder why they couldn't have impeached, instead.; 6/30/09, 9:32 PM
mccullough said...: I still don't understand why Obama's meddling in this internal dispute in Honduras.; 6/30/09, 9:58 PM
hombre said...: AL wrote: How can a coup be legal if the Supreme Court lacks the authority to give orders to the military?

So by your reasoning, if the military and the police are part of the executive branch and the President is found by the courts to have violated the law, there is no way to arrest him? Interesting.

"Coups" are, by definition, extra-legal. However, if the Honduras Supreme Court affirms that their President violated the law and issues an order for his arrest, how can it be asserted that the arresting authority or the Court acted illegally or extra-legally?

More importantly, how can it be asserted by the President of the United States and his Obots?

Impulsively or malevolently? You choose.; 6/30/09, 10:03 PM
mccullough said...: I am quite impressed that Obama can expound on the Honduran Constitution and its internal laws.

The man's knowledge knows no limits.; 6/30/09, 10:08 PM
JAL said...: Well when Zelaya gets ballots printed and shipped in from Venezuela, for a referendum he is not legally allowed to hold, me thinks the Supreme Court and the legislature might have to do something to check the deliberate violations of law by the President.

The Army apparently confiscated them and then Zelaya used an armed mob to attack and seize the ballots.

Why do you call it a "coup?"

It's exactly what the left wing whackos kept saying Bush was going to do -- and before that the right wing whackos were afraid Clinton would do.

So now someone is doing it and it is okay?

You've lost your marbles.

You may not like the way it was handled, and Zelaya may still end up in a Honduran jail, where he belongs, but my guess is he is plotting with Chavez to move back into Honduras behind a series of "citizen" demonstrations and uprisings funded and orchestrated by Hugo himself.

What is it about meglomaniacs that they hang together?

Hopefully they all will ...; 6/30/09, 10:16 PM
JAL said...: I don't think the Senate is big enough for Al Franken's ego.

Or actually, come to think about it, there are enough egos as big or bigger than his, that he might find himself a bottom feeder.

And since Obama's got the presidency for the next couple years, there is no where for him to go.

Stuart Smalley, where are you when you are needed?; 6/30/09, 10:19 PM
hombre said...: Rumor has it that Chavez and crack operatives from ACORN will invade Honduras and force the illegal referendum.

In which case, of course, Zelaya will become President for life.; 6/30/09, 10:25 PM
Anonymous said...: Paraphrasing the Honduran Constitution:

Article 272: Military protects the constitution
Article 306: courts can ask the military for help.
Article 239: proposing removing the term limit disqualifies one from public office.

Zelaya was out of line and the courts asked the military to do its duty... and it did.

Hondurans are really pissed at Obama for his stance in this... so much for that part of the Hispanic vote.; 7/1/09, 12:38 AM
An Edjamikated Redneck said...: Franken can claim to be a comedian, but my experience with him on SNL says he'll have a hard time proving it.; 7/1/09, 6:32 AM
kjbe said...: Afraid, afraid of what? That democracy can produce an outcome like this or a 60-seat majority of a disorganized party? Relax.; 7/1/09, 8:41 AM
Tibore said...: As Insty said:

"Caligula sent a horse to the Senate. Minnesota is just sending part of the horse."; 7/1/09, 8:59 AM
Jeremy said...: Don't you just LOVE it when the righteous get their just reward?

HA!; 7/1/09, 10:41 AM
hdhouse said...: Methadras said...
You should be afraid because it just proves how stupid the people of Minnesota are. It just proves that anyone can be a Senator. Al Franken as a Senator will be a disaster for Minnesota and for this country. This country really is in a decline now."

Ohhh tut tut Methadras. He won. A majority of Minnesotans voted for him so by extension you are calling them all stupid which hardly flies.

he isn't stupid by any means and he worked hard to be elected.

you can disagree but stop with the end of the world crap. it is just hyperbole and very very juvie.; 7/1/09, 10:51 AM
Big Mike said...: @hd, you need to scroll up and check what john posted. Franken did not win a majority, merely a plurality.

Like so many of Obama's appointees, Franken is personally a tax cheat. That bodes ill.

If you weren't an economic ignoramous you'd be worried too.; 7/1/09, 11:38 AM
Anonymous said...: How can a coup be legal if the Supreme Court lacks the authority to give orders to the military?

Can you cite where it is illegal for the Honduran Supreme Court and legislature to have the military do that? Because they don't agree with you, but I bet your knowledge of their laws are better than theirs.; 7/1/09, 6:50 PM
Methadras said...: hdhouse said...

he isn't stupid by any means and he worked hard to be elected.

Did you watch his senatorial campaign by chance? If you did, can you please recap for me exactly what his platform was on? If you didn't, then let me sum it up for you. Conservatives bad, Liberals good. He basically trash-talked his way into the Senate. he didn't have a single original idea to bring to the table to deal with Minnesota's issues, but relied heavily on his d-list celebrity status. Afterall, this is a state that voted for a wrestler, but what the fuck am I talking about, we (as in not I) in California voted for an Movie Action Hero.

Yes, the majority of people of Minnesota did vote for him, but they really are the stupid ones and they will get what they voted for. Norm Coleman wasn't exactly the cream of the crop, but he was certainly leagues above Diaper Boy.

If you wanted a trash talking, crass, vulgar leftist piece of ofal that has no idea what he's doing as a type of senator that has little to no worth much less bring any value to the seat, then by all means support Al Franken.

you can disagree but stop with the end of the world crap. it is just hyperbole and very very juvie.

I'm not talking about the end of the world, I'm talking about the end of the United States as we know it in the vein of a radical Marxist change. Something this country isn't set up for or much less wants, but will get nonetheless in no large part to dung-heaps like Franken.; 7/1/09, 7:22 PM