Read more Al Franken stories on Newserhttp://www.newser.com/taggrid/10983/al-franken.html2009 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 24 Nov 2009 11:26:57 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/72091/defense-dept-opposed-anti-rape-rule-for-contractors.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagWhen 30 Republicans voted against an Al Franken amendment prohibiting defense contractors from forcing their employees to agree not to sue if they’re raped, Jon Stewart and liberals everywhere went ballistic. But those 30 Republicans weren’t alone, the Huffington Post reports; the Defense Department opposed the amendment as well. The...http://www.newser.com/story/72091/defense-dept-opposed-anti-rape-rule-for-contractors.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagTue, 20 Oct 2009 9:19:11 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/69327/franken-gets-funny-again.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagAs a latecomer to the Senate this year, Al Franken’s been playing it straight—but he loosened up enough to venture a few jokes at an Iowa fundraiser yesterday, CNN reports. Discussing Sen. Tom Harkin’s new post as head of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee,” Franken said:...http://www.newser.com/story/69327/franken-gets-funny-again.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagMon, 14 Sep 2009 8:30:00 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/68479/selleck-for-congress-poll.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagAl Franken's a senator and Arnold Schwarzenegger's a governor—so US News and World Report asked readers which other celebs they'd like to see in Congress. The winner? Magnum, PI, himself, Tom Selleck, with 41% of the vote. Respondents seem be from all over the political spectrum: Selleck is a...http://www.newser.com/story/68479/selleck-for-congress-poll.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThu, 03 Sep 2009 17:05:43 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/65861/informed-franken-wows-lawmakers.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagA few weeks into his much-delayed Senate career, Al Franken is already winning plaudits from colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the AP reports. A member of two key Senate committees, the Minnesota Democrat has jumped into hot-button debates—like Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation and health care reform—and co-sponsored...http://www.newser.com/story/65861/informed-franken-wows-lawmakers.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSat, 01 Aug 2009 16:52:14 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/65768/top-obama-birthday-gifts.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagPresident Obama’s birthday is right around the corner—no matter where Lou Dobbs thinks he was born—but what do you get the leader of the free world? Politico asked various Washingtonians their thoughts for Tuesday's big occasion. Some notable responses: Joe Biden: “It’s a surprise!” Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah):...http://www.newser.com/story/65768/top-obama-birthday-gifts.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagFri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:01 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/64288/sen-franken-debuts-in-sotomayor-hearings.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThe voice was Stuart Smalley, but the occasion was no joke, and Sen. Al Franken, on his fifth day in office, was sober and respectful as he made his public debut during Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings today. Franken said deferentially that he had much to learn from his colleagues, and...http://www.newser.com/story/64288/sen-franken-debuts-in-sotomayor-hearings.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagMon, 13 Jul 2009 14:23:24 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/63995/baldwin-to-cnn-anchor-ill-run-if-i-want-to.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagCNN’s Jack Cafferty sneered at Alec Baldwin’s possible entry into politics yesterday, noting that while newly sworn-in Sen. Al Franken is “Harvard educated,” Baldwin’s “credentials are questionable”—and the NYU grad is having none of it. “Perhaps New York University should print on its undergraduate drama degrees ‘Warning: the bestowing...http://www.newser.com/story/63995/baldwin-to-cnn-anchor-ill-run-if-i-want-to.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThu, 09 Jul 2009 15:56:33 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/63790/franken-officially-sworn-in.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagEight months after the election, Al Franken finally became Minnesota’s junior senator today, Politico reports. Joe Biden swore the former funnyman in on the same Bible late Democratic Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone used. “Congratulations Senator,” said the vice president, causing the Senate gallery to erupt in cheers. Though only some...http://www.newser.com/story/63790/franken-officially-sworn-in.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagTue, 07 Jul 2009 12:19:00 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/63760/franken-plays-it-so-straight-its-funny.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagAl Franken the comedian is finally becoming Al Franken the senator, and his Senate colleagues were quick to demonstrate yesterday that, doggone it, they like him, writes Dana Milbank in the Washington Post . The only humor at a welcoming press conference was (apparently) unintentional, as Majority Leader Harry Reid intoned,...http://www.newser.com/story/63760/franken-plays-it-so-straight-its-funny.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagTue, 07 Jul 2009 9:25:00 CDT