Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., laughs as he meets with students from the Close Up program from St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, Minnesota, on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. For years, Franken has kept one of his most potent political weapons in check: his wit. The former “Saturday Night Live” comic was determined to establish himself as a serious senator after winning his Minnesota seat by a razor-thin margin. So after getting to the Senate in 2009 he embraced the low-key life of a freshman lawmaker.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., laughs as he meets with students from the Close Up program from St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, Minnesota, on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. For years, Franken has kept one of his most potent political weapons in check: his wit. The former “Saturday Night Live” comic was determined to establish himself as a serious senator after winning his Minnesota seat by a razor-thin margin. So after getting to the Senate in 2009 he embraced the low-key life of a freshman lawmaker.

Franken ready to unleash wit and wisdom on Clinton’s behalf

WASHINGTON — For years, Sen. Al Franken has kept one of his most potent political weapons in check: his wit.

The former “Saturday Night Live” comic was determined to establish himself as a serious senator after winning his Minnesota seat by a razor-thin margin. So on entering the Senate in 2009, he embraced the low-key life of a freshman lawmaker, allowing his inner-nerd to flourish as he dove into legislation and limited his media contacts to home-state reporters.

Those days are ending. Since winning re-election in 2014, Franken has grown more comfortable with the national political spotlight. And he’s ready to use it to help unite Democrats behind Hillary Clinton.

Franken is understated about his higher profile — there has been some buzz that he could be a dark-horse vice presidential pick. “I think as the campaign progresses everyone will have a larger role. I think I will along with so many of my colleagues,” Franken told The Associated Press.

But Democratic colleagues relish the idea of Franken unleashed.

“I think that he’s incredibly intelligent, but I think that he does something to Donald Trump that would be very effective, which is to make a joke out of him,” said Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison.

Franken acknowledges he has a special skill.

“Well, you know I was a performer, so I tend to make my events more enjoyable for the audience,” he said. “I speak seriously, too, but I know how to speak to the crowd.”

Franken gained fame as a comedy writer and performer on “Saturday Night Live.” He later hosted a liberal radio show on Air America and wrote political books attacking conservatives, like “Lies: and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right.”

When Franken arrived in Washington, he got advice from a Clinton aide on navigating the transition. He said he focused on being a “workhorse not a show horse” and eschewed national news outlets. “I wanted to let Minnesota media know that this wasn’t about me becoming a national figure, this was about me doing work for Minnesota,” he said, “and I think now they know that.”

He focused on help for children, seniors, farmers and Native Americans. Among his achievements was inserting a provision in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul that forces insurers to spend up to 85 percent of premiums directly on health care.

“He really gets to the heart of a lot of issues,” said Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat.

Franken has embraced his life as a senator, but he admits that once in a while, he does have a pang of regret about the life he left behind.

“I really miss hanging around funny people,” he said.

Franken hasn’t been able to shake some of the funnyman baggage. There’s one crack he would like to permanently retire. He’s read so many headline variations of “It’s no joke! Franken is a senator!” that he has a poster hanging in his office showcasing many of the references.

And he still gets laughs. At a breakfast for constituents, Franken told roughly 150 people gathered in an ornate hearing room about the origins of the wild rice porridge they were eating. He said it was developed by French-Canadian voyageurs, early settlers in Minnesota. But Franken questioned the authenticity of cream in the dish. “I don’t know about the voyageurs,” he said. “It’s so hard to get a cow in your canoe.”

A compact, energetic man, Franken takes seriously his role as a liberal warrior, following in the footsteps of progressive hero Paul Wellstone, who held the Senate seat before dying in a 2002 plane crash. Franken stresses his support for mental health funding, better treatment for substance addiction, tougher gun control and more support for families.

Franken was an early backer of Clinton, whom he has known for more than 20 years. They met when he worked on material for the Clintons for a Washington comedy dinner. She campaigned for him in 2008. He insists she has a “goofy sense of humor” that doesn’t often emerge.

Franken is quick to play down rumors that he could be a vice presidential prospect. He stressed that to his knowledge he is not being vetted for the job.

“If Hillary Clinton came to me and said, ‘Al, I really need you to be my vice president, to run with me,’ I would say yes, but I’m very happy in the job that I have right now,” he said.

His schedule is busy. So far this year, Franken has traveled to Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Michigan and Massachusetts for Clinton and has campaigned for at least nine Senate candidates.

Still, here’s one thing Franken hasn’t done for the campaign: He hasn’t written funny lines for Clinton.

“I’ve learned not to offer jokes, ‘cause you just get your heart broken,” he said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.