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Post by Jane on Feb 15, 2007 9:32:49 GMT -5
So how do the Minnesota voters here feel about the candidacy of Al?
For me, (and you all know I'm a yellow dog Democrat) I think it's great. He's on the right (left) side of the issues, is very intelligent and articulate and funny besides.
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Post by joew on Feb 15, 2007 11:35:29 GMT -5
Well, you didn't ask me, since I don't live in Minnesota. So I'll wait and let the Minnesotans go first. But eventually I'll probably post a little something decrying the state of our democracy where being a celebrity makes people credible candidates for the Senate. (Or the governorship of Minnesota.)
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Post by Jane on Feb 15, 2007 11:48:04 GMT -5
Didn't you like Ronald Reagan?
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Post by mike on Feb 15, 2007 15:33:10 GMT -5
Arnold Schwarzenegger, too!
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Post by mike on Feb 15, 2007 15:35:12 GMT -5
I'm holding out for Wayne Newton.
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Post by gailkate on Feb 15, 2007 15:52:51 GMT -5
I don't think the founders expected a person holding office should have any specific qualifications beyond intelligence and character. By that standard, Dubya was strikingly unqualified.
I'm not sure about Al, Jane. I think he meets my standards, but he's had an awfully sharp tongue over the years and the Republicans can turn all his quotes against him. He wouldn't be my first choice for the Dems, but there's a lot of time for him to change people's perception of him. A sense of humor is actually critical to the balance I think a leader needs. Al is certainly serious and thoughtful enough to know what he's up against. He must think he can overcome it.
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Post by booklady on Feb 15, 2007 17:15:30 GMT -5
Please. Al Franken is horrible. Or at least he was back when he was regularly featured on Saturday Night Live. I couldn't stand him then and that sort of affected my ability to stand him ever.
Maybe he's changed.
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Post by SeattleDan on Feb 15, 2007 18:52:16 GMT -5
I saw on youtube the announcement. Very nicely done, I thought. And he's certainly better qualified than the current incumbent who only won before because of the horrible accident. Al has a reputation of being a policy wonk who know his stuff. Now it will be up to him to connect with the fair citizens of Minnesota.
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Post by doctork on Feb 15, 2007 19:13:24 GMT -5
Is this not the same citizenry who elected Jesse Ventura (pro wrestler) as governor? I'd say they appear to be open-minded regarding alternative candidates.
All these professional politicians are getting tiresome, as are ignorant amateurs who happen to have money and influence. I'm willing to follow the campaign with interest, not immediate dismissal.
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Post by rogesgallery on Feb 15, 2007 21:29:15 GMT -5
This is also the state with the first Vampire Gubenatorial candidate. I'm really thinking rhat these are my kind of people. Lots of german blood, lakes,winter,mild summers,and most likely every aspect of Minnesota strikes fear in the swollen min of every Texan, oh and unqualified humor. It will probably be the the safest place in the hemisphere when Texas take over the empire.
Eddie Murphy for president anyone
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Post by joew on Feb 16, 2007 1:41:39 GMT -5
Didn't you like Ronald Reagan? He was Governor of California before he ran for federal office, and I did like him. If I had been in California when he first ran for governor, I'd probably have hoped that the party would nominate someone with his views who had served in public office before. Coleman was mayor (I forget of which of the Twin Cities) before he ran. My point is that lots of us have strong opinions, and lots of us have a good sense of humor, but that does not qualify us to run for Senate. Someone who has served in public office at some level, or a scholar of government and politics has qualifications. Having been on television is not a qualification.
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Post by booklady on Feb 16, 2007 5:39:54 GMT -5
I was in California when he ran and won, and most remember him closing the mental hospitals. He also was reputed to have said, in reference to the great redwoods, "if you've seen one tree, you've seen them all." I've always been upset by the fact that his signature is on my college degree.
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Post by juliastar on Feb 16, 2007 6:02:55 GMT -5
Didn't you like Ronald Reagan? He was Governor of California before he ran for federal office, and I did like him. If I had been in California when he first ran for governor, I'd probably have hoped that the party would nominate someone with his views who had served in public office before. Coleman was mayor (I forget of which of the Twin Cities) before he ran. My point is that lots of us have strong opinions, and lots of us have a good sense of humor, but that does not qualify us to run for Senate. Someone who has served in public office at some level, or a scholar of government and politics has qualifications. Having been on television is not a qualification. Hmmm. Your examples ran from their celebrity platforms to get their prior political jobs. Name recognition is a problem in this country. We are too easily swayed by it. It explains why a scary incompetent like the current occupant is the current occupant, but as an electorate, we should agree that we need more. I like Franken. He is intelligent and fearless and has been concerned and involved for some time. I hope he does well.
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Post by mike on Feb 16, 2007 6:40:25 GMT -5
Well, by golly gee! let's skip all the formalities and just move Al Franken into the White House!
All in favor... say cheese!
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Post by rogesgallery on Feb 16, 2007 7:16:20 GMT -5
I don't mean to waffle but:: Swiss
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Post by Tillie on Feb 16, 2007 9:57:12 GMT -5
'All the mice go Clang!'
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Feb 16, 2007 10:22:15 GMT -5
I vote for some swiss and a Franken stein with wry.
Know well about the hijinks regarding our former guv and his campaign manager whom was from Mankato. Jessie's wife came from from a very nice and well-respected family near here and I have not a thing to say about her other than her wisdom in chosing to spend time with her horses. But people who are close to me have had some very difficult and possibly illegal dealings with the man and his man. If I said more I could get a few people into trouble, I think, including myself. So that's just all hearsay.
But, gee. At least he stayed awake during his meetings. And I think he could remember things.
What the heck. Let's go for Al and next any movie stars from MN. Are there any?
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Post by gailkate on Feb 16, 2007 10:48:47 GMT -5
Joe said: My point is that lots of us have strong opinions, and lots of us have a good sense of humor, but that does not qualify us to run for Senate. Someone who has served in public office at some level, or a scholar of government and politics has qualifications. Having been on television is not a qualification.You know perfectly well that isn't what I said or anyone else implied. Yes, lots of us have strong opinions. If they are informed opinions, if we are demonstrably hard-working, persevering, thorough in the way we study issues and make judgments, then we have one of the qualifications for office. Being a scholar has never been a touchstone for capable public servants. One of our presidnets and my current Rep in Congress share haberdashery as a formative experience. Several people here are thinking about that Senate seat. One's a hot-shot lawyer, one's a hotshot car dealer. No one is laughing about their qualifications.(The operative word, hotshot, also means money.) Two mayors (like Coleman) think they might be the right stuff, though they are continually criticized (as was Coleman, who didn't carry St. Paul in either his run for governor or for the Senate). A strong contender for the seat Klobuchar won was a veterinarian. I'd like to see him run again. Consider ourselves. I am well-qualified for office. I'm smart, honest, resilient, diligent, not particularly egotistical and, doggonit, people like me (recognize the Franken riff?). However, I have one serious flaw. I'm organizationally challenged. I'd need a staff of efficient, detail-oriented keepers. Also I nap every day, and only Kennedy got away with that. How about the rest of you? Could you run for national office? What would you put in your resumé?
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Post by gailkate on Feb 16, 2007 10:51:43 GMT -5
Crossed posts, anja. Yes, there's what's-her-name, the one who married what's-his-name and took forever selling their mansion in Stillwater. You know...she was in Tootsie. She'd be great.
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Post by Jane on Feb 16, 2007 11:05:02 GMT -5
I've read several of Franken's books and have seen him on talk shows, both in his guise as a comedian and as a serious political activist. I'm impressed by his insight into the issues that concern me. He is certainly far more qualified for office than many of our current senators, representatives and governor. if not in terms of experience, then in the area of understanding the complex issues that face us today.
And I'd love to see Bill Murray as Secretary of State.
I've done and said too many stupid things that would rise up to haunt me if I were to run for office. And I cry easily.
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Post by Jane on Feb 16, 2007 11:08:02 GMT -5
gk: Jessica Lange. Sam Shepherd.
How about some of those left wing Hollywood rabble rousers like Susan Sarandon and George Clooney? What a beautiful slate!
All the Republicans could offer in exchange are Bo Derek and Bruce Willis. Oh, and the ever-charming Ted Nugent.
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Post by joew on Feb 16, 2007 11:20:20 GMT -5
Joe said: My point is that lots of us have strong opinions, and lots of us have a good sense of humor, but that does not qualify us to run for Senate. Someone who has served in public office at some level, or a scholar of government and politics has qualifications. Having been on television is not a qualification.You know perfectly well that isn't what I said or anyone else implied. Yes, lots of us have strong opinions. If they are informed opinions, if we are demonstrably hard-working, persevering, thorough in the way we study issues and make judgments, then we have one of the qualifications for office. Being a scholar has never been a touchstone for capable public servants. One of our presidnets and my current Rep in Congress share haberdashery as a formative experience. Several people here are thinking about that Senate seat. One's a hot-shot lawyer, one's a hotshot car dealer. No one is laughing about their qualifications.(The operative word, hotshot, also means money.) Two mayors (like Coleman) think they might be the right stuff, though they are continually criticized (as was Coleman, who didn't carry St. Paul in either his run for governor or for the Senate). A strong contender for the seat Klobuchar won was a veterinarian. I'd like to see him run again. Consider ourselves. I am well-qualified for office. I'm smart, honest, resilient, diligent, not particularly egotistical and, doggonit, people like me (recognize the Franken riff?). However, I have one serious flaw. I'm organizationally challenged. I'd need a staff of efficient, detail-oriented keepers. Also I nap every day, and only Kennedy got away with that. How about the rest of you? Could you run for national office? What would you put in your resumé? Sorry if I read too quickly and misunderstood. You make a good point about qualifications. OTOH, HST had been in politics courtesy of the Pendergast machine: he didn't go straight from the store to the Senate. But on the central point, you are right, prior public office has never been considered necessary for someone to be a candidate for the Senate. I overstated my point about the excessive boost given to candidates who are celebrities in our politics. And, BTW, we Republicans have benefitted from this with a number of sports figures, as well as movie stars. When the celebrity is in one's own party, one is happy about the electoral success; when the celebrity is in the other party, it is an unfair advantage, and a problem on our democracy that the voters aren't more discerning. I think Calvin Coolidge took naps too. So Kennedy was following a good example from another popular President.
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Post by juliastar on Feb 16, 2007 11:54:00 GMT -5
Good one, Jane. I think a republican / democratic celebrity challenge would be a great reality themed show (and a huge boost for the dems).
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Post by Tillie on Feb 16, 2007 14:52:11 GMT -5
Jane, In what ways has Al Franken shown himself to be a serious political activist? What were his insights that impressed you? What are Al's understandings of the complex issues that face us today, Jane? I'd really like to know - if you're too busy to post the answers, maybe, you could put a link here to a website that has the answers to these questions. I'm sure Al Franken is capable of looking for trouble, and he could find out whether it exists or not. But would he be able to diagnose the real problems correctly and apply the right remedy so that they wouldn't come back to haunt him and us? I would run for the President of The United States of America. My spirit is American, however, I'm sorry to inform you of something you might not have realized, I can't, as I was physically born in another country. However, I do speak American and English at the same time! Modified to add the last few word.
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Feb 16, 2007 18:15:04 GMT -5
I wouldn't ever be willing to run for office. I don't have the resiliency. But If I did my issues would be health care and education.
I consider myself to be a woman of honesty, strong values a sense of humor and good boundaries.
Let's focus on being strong and well-educated people. That to me is what would make a country which could function with sensibility.
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Post by Tillie on Feb 16, 2007 19:31:19 GMT -5
.....I consider myself to be a woman of honesty, strong values a sense of humor and good boundaries..... Actually, I can't think of one woman here that doesn't have those fine qualities. We are all strong, good looking and above average!
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Post by ptcaffey on Feb 16, 2007 20:26:31 GMT -5
Please. Al Franken is horrible. Or at least he was back when he was regularly featured on Saturday Night Live. I couldn't stand him then and that sort of affected my ability to stand him ever. Maybe he's changed. BL, I'd have to disagree. In the Franken days, SNL was worth watching (it no longer is). He did hilarious send-ups of Henry Kissinger, Senator Paul Simon, Pat Robertson and a roving foreign correspondent with a satellite dish strapped to his head. Unlike Ronald Reagan, Franken did not co-star with a chimp.
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Post by booklady on Feb 16, 2007 20:53:34 GMT -5
PT, I've been wondering where you've been, and had a mild fantasy quite recently about sending you an email asking about your absence.
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Post by Tillie on Feb 16, 2007 20:58:46 GMT -5
Hello, Caff, We've missed you! It's always good to see you on board. Yes it is! I see you've lost nothing in your incisive analysis and wit! Franken was good when he was hilarious, wasn't he!
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Post by booklady on Feb 16, 2007 21:05:50 GMT -5
Franken was good when he was hilarious, wasn't he! I must have missed those shows. The "Me Decade"? Stuart Smalley? I confess that was all I remember of him.
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