Al Franken for U.S. Senate - the funny man with a serious campaign

Al Franken, the former comedian and radio talk-show host turned politician, is running himself a great campaign for U.S. Senate so far against incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN). Right now, he's about 10 points behind, up from about 30 down about eight months ago, and he's equaling Coleman in fund raising. Pretty impressive for a political neophyte.

If Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger can be elected governors of Minnesota and California, then surely Franken can win against Norm Coleman. (The fact that Franken is running in the same state that elected Ventura should say a great deal about his chances of winning - Minnesotans embrace candidates for office who are not run-of-the-mill politicians.)

Anyway, take a look at the video above - it's Franken's introduction to voters. As a Philadelphian, I'm writing about Franken because I'm concerned where our country is going, and I'm following a number of races in '08. Each and every race in the U.S. Senate will be critical, and Progressives need all the help they can get. I really like Al because I feel that I came to know him, at least a little bit, by listening to The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio during its nearly three-year run. Franken's show was one of wit, information an humor, in that order. Many people who have never listened to the show have criticized it, but if they had actually given the show a chance, I believe they would have come around. His show was not, I repeat, not in the vein of Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage or Sean Hannity shows - it didn't tear people down, it made political points with humor and informative guests.

In short, Norm Coleman had best not underestimate Franken, or he'll be former Senator Norm Coleman. (I believe he will be, anyway.) Al's smart as a whip, he knows politics and policy and he really is a true Progressive.

If you have the means, regardless of where you live, I urge you to support Al Franken, even if it's just five bucks. Every dollar counts, and every supporter will make the difference in his race against Coleman.