Laughter & Tears As Franken Enters Senate

By Noah Kunin, Senior Political Correspondent
7/7/09

Washington, DC - Shortly after Al Franken was sworn in as the junior Senator from Minnesota he attended a reception in his honor in the Hart Senate Offices Building a few blocks north of the United States Capitol. A full house of over four hundred supporters campaign workers and family friends (including two members of the Grateful Dead) related their backing of Franken over the years. Franken joked that it would take forever to thank everyone that helped him, not including those who "were just along for the ride".

At other times Franken was filled with emotion but not overcome by it, forcing back tears at several points while referencing his family or the late Senator Paul Wellstone.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• franken
• senate
• wellstone
• us
• capitol
• klobuchar

[McCainBlows]

You can thank a liberal for..... A 40 hour work week A minimum wage Social Security Safe food Safe products Civil rights for all A balanced Federal budget Regulation of financial markets Clean air and water Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The G.I. Bill Of Rights Overtime pay

[McCainBlows]

And conservatives fought tooth and nail against EVERY SINGLE ONE of the liberal reforms that YOU enjoy today. Jerk!

[bush1tman]

@deetjay1 I did. You creeped me out a bit. Like when sneaking up from behind

[deetjay1]

@bush1tman

Seen?  Not likely...Who wants to know...?

[bush1tman]

@deetjay1 Have I seen you before? (In YT comments). I've seen the dee jay thing I think.

[deetjay1]

@bush1tman

You're metaphor missed the mark...but I'll accept your explanation...Please don't die...YET!

[bush1tman]

@deetjay1 I have a sense of humor. Why would you say that? I think you're funny. I never said that Castor oil is boring. I said Al is boring but his speech is painful. Would you accept that for clarification? I just remembered laughing at his Stewart Smalley bit when I first saw it on SNL. If that makes me more hip for you I'll die a happy man.

[deetjay1]

@bush1tman

Castor Oil is "boring" ? Never had that stuff shoved down your throat have you...? Just another humorless, constipated Republican, aren't you...?

[bewilderedkettle]

@deetjay1 Hear hear

[deetjay1]

@McCainBlows

Union member for thirty years...Your list of things progressives fought for (and achieved), for so long, is just TOO LONG to point out in this limited forum...But I sure appreciate you trying...

[hosman1982]

He's a good man. He fights for people who hate themselves. Conservatives working for jobs that are already gone. What I'm saying is asshole's who hate paying there due's.

[mraindog81]

@McCainBlows RIGHT ON!