Eight months after Election Day, Franken reaches Capitol Hill

@ tony - fla, Number of registered voters in MN as of June 4, 2009 - 3,178,050 Votes Coleman got - 1,212,317 Votes Franken got - 1,212,629 Now I know I'm going to ignore the 3rd candidate for a moment, but unless 753,104 voters registered between November 4, 2008 and June 4, 2009 you haven't a clue what you're talking about.

Glad to see it. Congrats Al.

@ Mike, who said "The plus is they are starting to understand that the so called middle of the road Repubs. like McCain are not what the people want." Hint: We don't want any of them...middle of the road or otherwise (do some research yourself). Only about 20% of the country was born lacking in sufficient shame to still identify themselves as a GOPer.

Now it's Senator Franken O"Reilly. Be sure to show repsect for the office as you always said when Duh Duh Duhbya was around

Some of you people are just like the Lemmings, to the one who said 73% want health care from Obama you better do some more research, over 85% say they are happy with what they have. What Obama is not telling you is that the so called 45 million with no health care, in that number is millions of iilegals. I sure do not want my money ..get that you socialists? My money to go to the health care of people who break our federal laws to come and get health care. If you do not like that, to bad! This is still America for now and untill the Supreme Leader Obama outlaws free speech and he will if he can, heard of the so called Fairness Doctrine? I will spout my un-PC rehtoric! As for little Johnnie yes the GOP has screwed themselves, and untill they get back to true conservitism they will falter. The plus is they are starting to understand that the so called middle of the road Repubs. like McCain are not what the people want. As for so called Repubs like that tuncoat Powell they are better of without them.

good luck Senator Franken! I know you'll do great.

Ill tell you what the people of MN were thinking... No more republicans. no way, no kind, no how, especially the holy-er that thou completely hypocritical, dont believe in science, etc. blah blah blah How many times did the soon ex-gov. of alaska say "hunker" in her resignation/moving forward speech? too many thats for sure. a person of power (or those wishing to be) should stick to words that are actually IN the dictionary. Any published dictionary would do.

All I can say about that whole mess was how strange that there were more votes then registered voters. Bringing back the 90's with this one... "Things that make you go Mmmm..." Sounds like the old Chicago Machines found their way to Minnesota.

Although I'm not from Minn., I am somewhat r.et.ar.ded, so I feel like an honorary Minnesotan. Yay!!! Stuart Smalley is in Congress!!! THis country is gonna be just fine!!!!

Yay for Franken....Minnesota now has a progressive Senator who wants the best for Minnesota and America!!!

With al Franken, we can officially say congress is a joke. talk about stealing an election!!!!! Couldn't steal one with Gore only counting certain counties, but did it with Franken.

Time to fix health care.....The facts the GOP are using to rally against reform, are flat out lies. Even the Canadian's the GOP supposedly 'quoted' have released statements saying they are lying. Put them on the curb and give us affordable health care. It's time to remove lobbyists from Washington PERIOD. I will never vote Republican again.....but I will still vote against anyone who continues to put their own self interest above fixing this country. These guys were elected to represent the people....and I'm tired of oil companies, drug manufacturers and Insurance companies being the only ones represented. Time to do your job!

Hurray! Its a good day for American and Democracy.

I look forward to progress. Nay-Sayers: Get real--Al Franken is a former comedian, yes, but he's also a Harvard Graduate and will be a very capable part of capital hill. For those that keep harping on the SNL history, I say we need a little humor in Washington. I know that the Dems are smiling! ;-)

What has our government come to? Al Franklin? Come on.

So why is everyone surprised? His election just fills out the Senate as looking like the bar scene from Star Wars. And this clown is going question Supreme Court nominee Sotomayor? Can't wait to hear his questions. What a joke.

yawn

Thank you Mr. Franken for fighting until the end and not allowing Coleman to steal your senate seat. You are testiment to why those in Iran are fighting for a fair election.

We've officially jumped the shark as an electorate.

@ GI Joe, Backwards state with all their shenanigans!? There was a difference of less than 300 votes between the two. By MN state law there was a mandatory recount. Coleman was the looser of the recount. He then personally dragged this out 8 months by taking it to court. The only shenanigans was from Coleman. As a MN resident, I resent your ignorant comment. I'll agree with you on Bachman, however. I don't live in her district so I was unable to vote against her. If I were wealthy I'd have moved there specifically to vote against her.

Another liar in Congress with no ethics or values.

NoTelePromTer - I got two words for you -- Jesse Ventura. But in the people's defense - just because someone was a comedian or wrestler, doesn't mean they are not capable of doing the job.

Franken wasn't even good as a comedian...

Hey Hugo. The "conservative right"? You have got to be kidding! There is very little that is truly conservative about America's homegrown rightwing. They are a bunch of reactionary drama queens. The little that could be labeled conservative is the part where they want NO CHANGE. With that prescription, we'd still be living in caves and wondering where fire came from -- well, come to think of it, that does appear to be the goal that today's [R] party has for America. I'm sorry, but your FOX-generated brainwashed rhetoric belies your late and feeble attempt to move to the "middle". Those of us that have already been here for some time can see a faker like you a mile off.

YES! Another tax and spend, liberal democrat seated. What an exciting day in America. If anyone is left in America after these clowns finish taxing the country to death, could you please turn off the light? The green freaks should at least be appeased.

Thank God it's over and best man won. For those who think Franken is nothing but a comedic hack, you haven't done your homework. Al is prepared and the right man for the job.

Does he get back pay?

To all you people who think Franken is just a third rate comedian, he is a very smart and articulate person who graduated from one of the finest high schools in Minnesota and then went on to get a degree at Harvard.

thoughtful, logical, insightful guy. Al will do well.

Pragmatic July 6th, 2009 11:53 am ET .. and the loudest group advocating US meddling in Iran's elections are the same group who blocked this duly elected Senator for 8 months … republicans in NYS were so upset that the Democrats won the state senate, they staged a "coup" – their words – not mine – just republican sour grapes making GOP whine …. OMG - Pragmatic you could not have said this any better.

Good Luck Senator Franken.

Another celebrity Democrat. Seems democrats don't choose their leaders based on qualifications, but celebrity. And then they wonder why their party is a huge disaster running our country into the ground. Anyone who thinks Franken is actually a good choice needs a brain transplant! Too bad our new health care system won't cover that!

A vile loud mouth in the US Senate. What is happening to our country??

@ RI Moderate July 6th, 2009 11:26 am ET Hey, just wondering – why aren't all the left wingers upset with Franken for his gay-lampooning Stuart Smalley routine on SNL? Just a bit un-PC wasn't it? Because it's republicans who over-react to everything. Ex: Sarah Palin's over the top reaction to David Letterman's VERY FUNNY joke. BTW, before you lose your mind on this, recall that Leno made a similar joke, and SNL made a worse one. It's the republican party that has no sense of humor. Perhaps you have to have a soul to have a sense of humor?

Good luck to Senator Franken. At least we won't have that sniveling little mole Coleman back in DC, who spent his whole time sniffing out a place in the [R] white house to brown his pathetic nose. [R]s are pounding coarse sand on this one. And I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Finally! Welcome to the Senate where you should have been for the past 6 months. Now get to work with President Obama and let's get true healthcare reform passed with a government healthcare option that provides solid competition to the greed-based insurance companies. 73% of Americans want the government healthcare plan option and it's past time for our elected officials to listen to what WE the People want - you know, those of us who voted you into office and gave you your FREE GOVT healthcare plan you enjoy but don't want to seem to let the rest of Americans take part in. Give us the reform and plan we want or expect to be out of office and living in the private insurance hell world we do!

I wish they would have elected a true liberal over this guy. Franken will just do what he is told to by Obama. Why can we not get true liberals elected? I thought we had a chance with Obama but he is not a liberal - wake up people. Liberals do not want to grow the government and take over health care, banking, and everything else. This is madness. Dark days ahead I fear . . .

Just another Clown in Washington, just what we need, NOT!

Minn has now been dubbed Diaper State, any adult who wears a diaper and sucks on a baby bottle in public is a disgrace. Apparently Minn. Aren't the smartest cookies in the jar. What a JOKE

You want to complain about a comedian but it was your messiah, Reagan, the C-list actor who was president. At least Franken has talent in that regard, and is not known for being the supporting actor to a monkey. Something to think about there, my dear republicans!

the gop falls into ths abyss of politics, we won and great for franken, and more bad news for rep. king from new york,more will fall in gop. with that comment about michael jackson,thats why we have al franken winning the senate seat. rep. king said whats good about michael, whats good about him and the gop , nothing.the gop is showing there true colors as idiots. every day from sanford , ensign, palin, and now king with his stupid remark wil pay even more in 2010. al franken will be a nitemare for the gop,and this hate talk from king and the gop is more doom,cnn needs to wake up and realize that the gop is a cancer to america and are constantly trying to divide us, they are the most jealous and hateful party to people who are popular with the world, they are obsolete.

Now that you've won. What are you going to do with it? Be a puppet or Be a Statemen?

As a Minnesotan, I am truly embarrassed that Al Franken was the best we could send to Washington. What a joke. Minnesota's state bird is the Loon; now we send one to Washington. "Good Grief" as Charley Brown would say!

Yes........"Eight months after Election Day, Franken reaches Capitol Hil"..............UNFORTUNATELY!

Paul Wellstone is smiling..... Best wishes...

3 years too soon for me. We need some brains in the Senate, we have all the fools we can laugh at there already.

That is very cool. It is about time!

The jester of SNL has finally made it to the big ring. Unfortunately for America, Frankenstein has lots of competition in our 111th Progressively Liberal Congress of fools.

It's about time. Now go see Specter and vote of the EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT.

Puke! This country is doomed with this clown bringing the circus to Capitol hill. He's a fine example of what todays Democrat is!!