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Tom Jackson is in a 12-step program for recovering sports writers; as part of his rehabilitation, he writes a column centered on the people, politics, passions and peculiarities of Pasco County. Email
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Posted Aug 6, 2010 by Tom Jackson
Updated Aug 6, 2010 at 12:13 AM
Over at Power Line, Scott Johnson calls out the junior senator from his home state of Minnesota. Evidently, Al Franken mistook the chamber of the world’s greatest deliberative body for the desk of “Weekend Update,” bringing dishonor to himself and his Democratic Party colleagues. Notes Johnson:
Al Franken is the United States Senator from Minnesota and an utter embarrassment to the decent people of the state. Today he showed why once again:
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) scolded Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on the Senate floor Thursday for allegedly mocking him while he delivered a solemn speech on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.
The dust-up came seconds after McConnell delivered a speech on Kagan’s nomination shortly before the Senate voted to confirm her to the high court.
Franken, who was presiding over the chamber from the dais, gesticulated and made faces while McConnell explained his opposition to Kagan, according to witnesses.
The television cameras broadcasting the speech on C-SPAN remained fixed on McConnell, missing Franken’s antics from the Senate president’s chair.
McConnell grew increasingly angry as Franken made fun of him before a crowded public gallery and Senate aides lining the chamber walls. Senate aides said they were shocked that Franken would flout the decorum of the chamber during such a solemn occasion.
After McConnell finished his remarks, he walked up to the dais and rebuked him.
“This is not ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Al,” McConnell said, making reference to Franken’s career as a writer and actor on NBC’s long-running comedy show, according to a witness who overheard the exchange.
After the vote, Franken walked to McConnell’s office to apologize but couldn’t find him.
He has sent a personal note, instead.
“The Leader thought I was disrespectful while he was giving his speech on General Kagan,” Franken said in a statement to The Hill. “He is entitled to give his speech with the presiding officer just listening respectfully. I went directly to his office after I was done presiding to apologize in person. He wasn’t there, so I’ve sent him a handwritten note.”
“Sorry” really doesn’t cut it, but Al Franken is one sorry excuse for a United States Senator.
The sooner this knucklehead is in the minority, the better. If that sounds like an endorsement of the only Sunshine State candidate for the U.S. Senate guaranteed to caucus with the Republicans, well, one could draw worse conclusions.
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Reader Comments
Por (Aime Lire) on August 08, 2010 (Suggest removal)
What did you expect from a Senator elected by felons?
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