Posted on 02/10/2005 7:49:50 AM PST by Valin
WASHINGTON - Just one day after U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton decided not to run for a second term, comedian Al Franken may be throwing his hat into the ring.
Last year, Franken said he wanted to run for the Senate in 2008. But last night he told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that he is now considering his candidacy for next year.
Franken, a Minnesota native, plans to make an announcement live on his national radio show in Washington D.C. this morning. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS will be in the studio with Franken for that announcement.
Meanwhile, former U.S. Sen Rod Grams, who lost his seat to Dayton in 2000, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that he is running for the open seat. He said Social Security, the deficit, the budget, Medicare and Medicaid are what prompted him to enter the race.
Other Republicans who may consider a run include U.S. Reps. Mark Kennedy and Gil Gutknecht, and Minn. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer.
On the DFL side, activist Buck Humphrey said he's not ruling out a bid for the U.S. Senate.
The grandson of the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey and the son of former state Attorney General Skip Humphrey first said he wasn't interested in joining a growing list of candidates seeking the party nomination. But Buck Humphrey said later that he wouldn't rule out running for the open Senate seat.
Other potential DFL candidates include Minneapolis lawyer Mike Ciresi, Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson of Willmar, state Senator Steve Kelley of Hopkins, former Congressman Bill Luther, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar, and former public development official Rebecca Yanisch.
State House Minority Leader Matt Entenza was considered to be a potential Senate candidate by many. However, he said Wednesday that he's not interested. During a visit to Worthington, Entenza said his interests are entirely in Minnesota.
How can they call Franken a "comedian"? He is not funny...
Visualizing Hillary banging her head against a wall....
Good, it will get the scumbag off the air, while he campaigns, then gets slaugthered in the election. Excellent choice.
LOL!
Franken finally said something funny!
We can only hope. It will be great fun to push this weasel over the edge...
Must have the DUers all a twitter.
Just when you think it can't get better.
I think he's hilarious.
What time is his show?
Maybe 'alledged comedian' would fit him better.
On the plus side it'll get him off the air for the duration of the campaign.
Dean as party chariman and Franken as a candidate. Couldn't be better. Let the comedy begin!
I hope he does it, it would be amusing to watch.
This is the only funny thing he's ever done.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAA... he'll be bitchslapped... let him run.
We'll find that out when the Franken tree falls in Minnesota.
Congressman Billybob
Click for latest, "Was Howard Dean behind a Daring Art Theft?"
Very good news for us!!! The more the DUmmies affiliate themselves with idiot turdbirds like Stuart Smalley, the less credibility they have.
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