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“I never felt it was our job to have a specific political philosophy or an ax to grind,” Franken said. “When I left the show, I had a chance to have my own political viewpoint.”
That political viewpoint — and his sense of humor — have made him a bestselling author, radio host on “Air America” and the scourge of many a conservative. It’s also given him the kind of clout to help politicians he believes in.
Franken will speak Tuesday at a Winona fundraiser for Tim Walz, the Mankato Democrat who’s running against six-term incumbent Rep. Gil Gutknect in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District.
“I really like Tim,” Franken said. “There’s a sort of common sense goodness about the guy.”
Franken said the two met months ago.
“I was incredibly impressed with him,” Franken said. “He understands it’s about common interests, not special interests.”
Franken has been doing comedy ever since high school. He was born in New York City but grew up in St. Louis Park, Minn. He recently moved his three-hour daily radio show from New York to Minneapolis.
“I’ve always considered it my home,” Franken said.
Franken left SNL in 1995. He says his transition from self-help guru Stuart Smalley to author of “Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations” came gradually.
“It was the Gingrich revolution. I was a little irked,” Franken said. “I wrote about that. When I did that, I got a reaction to the book different from anything I’ve ever done before.”
The book became a New York Times bestseller. So did “The Truth (with jokes)” in 2005.
Franken has gone on six USO tours, including three tours to Iraq. He’s been told by fans that what he does and says is courageous.
“All you have to go on is one USO tour to Iraq and realize what I’m doing is not that courageous,” Franken said.
There is talk that Franken will make a run against U.S. Senator Norm Coleman in 2008, but Franken won’t say for sure. This fall, the documentary “Al Franken: God Spoke” will be released.
Not everyone is a Franken fan. Being politically outspoken has also meant Franken has had to develop a thick skin.
“It’s getting thicker but it’s not thick enough,” Franken said. “You have to keep things in perspective.”
Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3523.
Great Reporter wrote on Jul 17, 2006 3:59 PM: