On Thursday's Today, Meredith Vieira tossed mostly softballs to Senator-elect Al Franken, offering no hard questions about the disputed 2008 election, instead fawning, "...Are you more worried about becoming a target for the GOP or a target for Saturday Night Live, your old stomping ground?" In regards to the post-election wrangling for the Minnesota Senate seat, the best Vieira could do is to wonder, "It did get a little contentious, didn't it?"
To be fair, she did reference the closeness of the election. Noting Franken's 312 vote margin of victory, Vieira observed, "Are you conscious of that as you head to Washington D.C. next week?" However, there was no mention of the reports of irregularities in the state. If the co-host wished to challenge the incoming senator, she could have read from a July 1 Wall Street Journal editorial which asserted, "Mr. Franken now goes to the Senate having effectively stolen an election."
Today has a history of fawning over the former comedian. On May 29, 2007, reporter Jamie Gangel informed viewers that Franken is "smart" and "Harvard smart."
A transcript of the July 2 segment, which aired at 8:49am, follows:
MEREDITH VIEIRA: Now to politics and the man who will give the Democratic Party a super majority in the U.S. Senate. Following 239 days of legal wrangling, Minnesota's Supreme Court now declared former SNL cast member Al Franken the state's junior senator. We spoke on Wednesday and I began by asking him how it feels to be senator-elect.
SENATOR-ELECT AL FRANKEN: It sounds good. Senator is going to sound just a little bit better.
VIEIRA: Just a little bit better. Well, this has been a long time coming. You are a guy known for your great sense of humor. You kind of shoot from the hip a lot. Was it hard to keep your mouth shut and just let this thing, sort of, play out over the past seven-plus months?
FRANKEN: Well, fortunately I lost my sense of humor right away. So, I didn't have a problem.
VIEIRA: It did get a little contentious, didn't it?
FRANKEN: Well, I tried not to make it about that, and it, you know. Minnesota has a real process here. Minnesotans should be proud of our process. It's thorough. We can say that. And it's transparent, and our election officials acted with incredible integrity. So Minnesotans should be very proud.
VIEIRA: You talk about a close election. 2.9 million votes were cast. You won by just 312 votes.
FRANKEN: Yep.
VIEIRA: Are you conscious of that as you head to Washington D.C. next week?
FRANKEN: I'm very conscious of it. I know that there are a lot of Minnesotans who didn't vote for me and it's up to me to show that I'm going to be working for them. You know, there's going to be a lot of talk and you brought it up, the talk of super majority. I don't see myself as the 60th Democrat in the Senate. I see myself as the second Minnesota senator.
VIEIRA: And finally, are you more worried about becoming a target for the GOP or a target for Saturday Night Live, your old stomping ground?
FRANKEN: I'm not worried about either. I'm most concerned about hitting the ground running, and getting the job done.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
Stupid Majority
July 2, 2009 - 16:53 ET by GeneralAlAlfred E. Frankenstein brings the Democrats to a super majority as a result of the Stupid American Majority! When those of us who get our butts taxed off by these thieving Communists have no more money, maybe, just maybe, this Stupid Majority might wake up and turn the Commiecrats into a super minority of maybe just twenty-five seats!
REM
July 2, 2009 - 16:53 ET by jdlybrand'It's the end of the world as we know it".
And I'm NOT feeling fine!
July 2, 2009 - 17:44 ET by Kat Outta the BagAnd I'm NOT feeling fine!
Al "rigged election" Franken
July 2, 2009 - 17:10 ET by BEGRUNTThis guy is a lunatic!! Just wait till you see him in action in the Senate.......frothing at the mouth like a mad dog. I truly LOATHE this man......he is a disgusting, vile human being, coke head, drug abuser......I guess he ranks right up there with Zero in qualifications.
Begrunt... His election
July 2, 2009 - 17:17 ET by bigtimerBegrunt...
His election bought and paid for by Soros...especially the lasted filthy fight.
It is outrageous what was done in Minnesota with the so-called recount.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt....what troubles me the most.......
July 2, 2009 - 17:27 ET by BEGRUNTis the fact that the Minnesota Supreme Court allowed this travesty to occur.....even with all of the evidence pointing to a rigged election. We are truly in very troubling times. I really dont know how much more we can be pushed before we push back.........and god help them if we have to push back....it will be ugly.
BEG, get ready for ugly
July 2, 2009 - 17:40 ET by R D HelmI think Obama is going to wind up with essentially everything he wants, and without so much as a wimper from the republicans, who, with the exception of John Boehner, appear to be AWOL even now.
None of this garbage is going to be good for our republic.
-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
Right you are
July 2, 2009 - 18:18 ET by bigtimerRight you are Begrunt....not pretty at all.
It's hard enough for me to watch/listen to what is going on in the Senate as it is, I can't as much as I used to anymore as it is...with this fraud in there, it will become even harder.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Minnesota beclowned itself
July 2, 2009 - 18:57 ET by motherbeltMinnesota beclowned itself by even casting enough votes for this man to have made this travesty possible. But what can you expect from a state that elected Jesse Ventura?
This is what happens with same-day voter registratioin. People who have no interest in being informed voters roll out of bed and show up at the polls to vote for an idiot because they think he's a hoot.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Is it too late to sell Minnesota to Canada?
July 2, 2009 - 18:00 ET by R D HelmOr maybe we could pay them to take it off our hands?
-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
Yah, you betcha!
July 2, 2009 - 18:01 ET by Kat Outta the BagYah, you betcha! ;-)
Nothing against Minnesotans but they're making my home state of Florida look good these days.
This is the kind of thing
July 2, 2009 - 18:15 ET by ckc1227This is the kind of thing that happens when over 70% of high school students don't know who the first president of the United States was.
With what
July 2, 2009 - 19:03 ET by general companyOr maybe we could pay them to take it off our hands?
We dont have enough $, and I doubt they will take a check
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Let's see, I'm sure the
July 2, 2009 - 18:11 ET by ckc1227Let's see, I'm sure the media-driven investigation into his lack of job-related experience and qualifications alas' Sarah Palin will begin any day now.
You really have to wonder how much of a future a nation has...
July 2, 2009 - 18:33 ET by R D Helm...that sends a former street agitator to the Oval Office and an idiot, washed-up, has-been of a comedian to the Senate, both in the same election, too.
This does not bode well for America's future.
Assuming we still have one, I mean.
-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
Dave... All I can do at
July 2, 2009 - 18:45 ET by bigtimerDave...
All I can do at this point is hope like hell we gain seats in 2010...in the meantime the damage being done to the country is horrendous.
I know they're going after the refineries now too....knew they would, just heard some greenie group is declaring they are causing cancer.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
and the oil companies will
July 2, 2009 - 18:59 ET by motherbeltand the oil companies will deal with cap&trade by shutting down and importing more oil.
Yeah, that'll get us off foreign oil, won't it, Mr. President?
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Evenin' mb... I know I'm
July 2, 2009 - 19:06 ET by bigtimerEvenin' mb...
I know I'm repeating myself at times, but when he named his new members in different positions and depts. I said the EPA and the Justice Dept will be the most dangerous to our freedoms...they are, and they've just begun.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I will support the first person who
July 2, 2009 - 19:01 ET by general companySuggest his goal will be to undo all of Obama's new bureaucracies and policies. We need a real fighter and give him a majority like we have never had.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
So will I gc...so will
July 2, 2009 - 19:07 ET by bigtimerSo will I gc...so will I.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I will work 24/7 for any candidate with that promise!!!!
July 2, 2009 - 20:56 ET by Cape ConservativeThis comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
CC, I'll be the poster boy
July 2, 2009 - 21:01 ET by R D HelmEr, actually, I would want us to win.
So, maybe a behind-the-scenes guy. :-)
-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
Don't expect much
July 2, 2009 - 18:49 ET by owlpelletsLook up "tool" in Websters'. First you will see Franken. Next, you will see the RNC. They have the ultimate opportunity to hang the face of everything bad about progressive politics on this doofus but they will still just cluck around like a flock of free range chickens. Another opportunity lost. This country is soooo screwed.
Don't blame me....I voted for Palin...
owl... Hey howdy
July 2, 2009 - 19:10 ET by bigtimerowl...
Hey howdy neighbor...long time no see.
We are so screwed indeed...and they've only just begun.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
BT
July 2, 2009 - 19:19 ET by owlpelletsHey...things have been so incredibly stange that I have beeretirement to fly fish Henry's Lake with no tv or internet service. I am now stuck in Idaho Falls and drawn to NB like a moth to flame. Right now, I am watching the Huckster fill in for BO. He and Mitt seem to be ganging up on Palin. They are akin to low level mult-level-marketing salesmen.
Don't blame me....I voted for Palin...
owl... I missed that
July 2, 2009 - 19:24 ET by bigtimerowl...
I missed that segment....my husband has the clicker, so I will have to catch the repeat later...I just caught some of Morris before he turned it again.
Glad you had a peaceful time away from it all...hope you had great luck fishing too.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
BT
July 2, 2009 - 19:22 ET by owlpelletsHey...things have been so incredibly stange that I have been in retirement to flyfishing Henry's Lake with no tv or internet service. I am now stuck in Idaho Falls and drawn to NB like a moth to flame. Right now, I am watching the Huckster fill in for BO. He and Mitt seem to be ganging up on Palin. They are akin to low level mult-level-marketing salesmen.
Don't blame me....I voted for Palin...
LOL owl... Heck that
July 2, 2009 - 19:26 ET by bigtimerLOL owl...
Heck that beertirement sounded okay to me too!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt,
July 2, 2009 - 20:55 ET by R D HelmLOL-I just hope I will be able to afford beertirement.
-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
And it's transparent, and
July 2, 2009 - 19:17 ET by Radical1979And it's transparent, and our election officials acted with incredible integrity.
Really? By allowing people to bring in ballots they had "forgotten" were in the trunk of a car? This is totally disgusting.
Looney tunes ...
July 2, 2009 - 19:28 ET by metaphorsbwithuIt's perfectly clear now that the loon isn't the state bird of Minnesota for nothing. :-D
metaphorsbwithu
Election was not stolen
July 2, 2009 - 20:44 ET by the curatorAs someone who lives in MN and absolutely did not vote for Franken, I can say positively that the election was not stolen.
How else can all five State Supreme Court justices (including three appointed by conservative governors) agree unanimously that Coleman did not have a case? All SEVEN if you include the two that were serving during the initial recount.
This sucks for conservatives and I don't think Franken is qualified to be a senator. But, seriously... nothing was stolen here. Just a close, painful loss.
And there's no proof, none, that it was stolen. Otherwise Coleman's lawyers would have presented it. Instead, it was all thrown out - without a single disenting opinion.
Thanks for nothing, curator - now I really am in the dumps!
July 2, 2009 - 21:22 ET by Cape ConservativeBefore I could at least 'think' the voting process was tainted...and now you tell me there were enough people in Minnesota who believed a jerk like Franken was worthy of serving in the Senate! I still believe the military vote was not handled correctly. There was a direct effort to mail ballots overseas so late as to ensure the votes OF OUR MILITARY wouldn't arrive in time to be legal. And this happened in other states, too!
On second thought, I guess he will feel right at home, surrounded by MANY more jerks!! Our senatorsK will probably be right there offering their years of wisdom to the new guy! And yes, I realize how silly it looks for a resident of Massachusetts to point fingers at Minnesota voters when this state continues to elect the likes of K&K!!!
WE NEED ELECTION REFORM ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY! A basic qualification test would be a good start - an end to ALL same-day registration - photo ID required for EVERY voter - and most of all, I would like a redo on voting hours, even the day. Perhaps a weekend would offer more opportunities for voters.
Most of all, to prevent the invasive media manipulation, I would like to see a 24-hour voting period enacted...with the same start/end times from the east coast to Hawaii. If every poll was open for 24 hours, it would allow those who work odd shifts to vote. And if they all opened and closed at the same time (ET, CT, MT, PT and whatever Hawaii and Alaska are) the media would lose any advantage in using their exit polling results on the east coast to advance their chosen candidates in another time zone. Just wishful thinking...after all, what can an ordinary citizen do besides vent on NB? Or write their senatorsK - who couldn't care less ;-)
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
I agree with some of that...
July 2, 2009 - 21:47 ET by the curatorCape Conservative said, "WE NEED ELECTION REFORM ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY! A basic qualification test would be a good start - an end to ALL same-day registration - photo ID required for EVERY voter - and most of all, I would like a redo on voting hours, even the day."
Reform - absolutely. How to do it? I have an idea or two.
First, a qualification test... not appropriate I don't think. True, the only thing worse than a non-voter is an uninformed voter. But, the moment you start putting qualifications on who can or cannot vote, then you start down a slippery slope.
ID required - totally agree.
Voting hours - I agree again. What I think is that election day (at least mid-terms and presidential) should be federal holidays. You get the day off work. But, unless you show up to work the next day with some kind of proof you voted (a receipt of some kind) you get docked a days pay. Seriously, if there's one true American ideal that we should hold onto, it's democratic elections. People may abuse that day off and do nothing... but, with it being a Tuesday, it's not like they could go out of town.
You're 24 hour voting period bloc - that has some merit. Never thought of it before.
Nope cant do that
July 2, 2009 - 21:53 ET by general companyBut, unless you show up to work the next day with some kind of proof
you voted (a receipt of some kind) you get docked a days pay.
Being Americans gives us the right NOT to vote also. Plus if you close my place of work for the day, where do you get off docking my pay.
ID's at the polls, better job getting our word out, thats all we need.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
After watching Jaywalking
July 2, 2009 - 22:12 ET by Radical1979After watching Jaywalking on Leno and the results of the last election I don't think I want to encourage everyone to vote.
But seriously, why do we need an entire day off to vote? People died for the right to vote, and we can't spend an hour in line to vote?
Good points
July 2, 2009 - 23:52 ET by the curator"Being Americans gives us the right NOT to vote also"
"People died for the right to vote, and we can't spend an hour in line to vote? "
Both very true statements. But, if we're talking about ways to get people to the polls, a holiday would be one way. At least in theory. And when I mentioned docking pay, I meant that you'd get paid for that holiday only if you proved you voted. But, I get your point about having the right to not vote as well.
However, nothing will ever get people out to the polls more than the desire for change. We saw that with the Republican Revolution in 94 with the Contract for America... and with just saw it with Obama. People weren't necessarily voting for him. Many were simply voting against republicans.
Same thing with Coleman. He's a moderate Repub and former democrat for goodness sake. He was just unlucky to have an "R" after his name.
It's all cyclical. Eventually, the public will tire of what the Dems are selling and swing back to the Repubs. It may take another election or two... but, it will happen. Especially now that the Dems have no one else to blame (w the super majority) if things don't improve. I think 2010 will be too soon... but, it will get there.
The fact that Coleman was a
July 3, 2009 - 06:39 ET by Tom PaineThe fact that Coleman was a squishy RINO didn't help him either. If you look at the vote totals for Minnesota, the Independence party attracted 10 times as many votes in 2008 as it did in the 2002 Senate election (437,000 vs 45,000). You have to wonder what the outcome would have been had a mainline conservative been running.
Might have made the difference
July 3, 2009 - 13:23 ET by the curator"You have to wonder what the outcome would have been had a mainline conservative been running."
True. Though most republicans here in MN (I get the impression) are fiscally conservative, but socially liberal.
Still, Dean Barkely (the Independent candidate who took 18% percent of the vote) said by a 2-1 margin, his votes were coming from people who would have otherwise supported Coleman.
If Barkely had been the Republican candidate - he may well have beaten Franken. TRUE fiscal conservative. More so than Coleman. But, totally against the war. And a little nuts. Was Ventura's chief of staff.
Which, on a bigger issues, illustrates one of the problems with the republican party right now. Factions. If you're a fiscal conservative, but not a social conservative, you're spurrned by many in the party (Limbaugh).
Or, if you're a fiscal conservative, social conservative, but against the war (Barkely) you ahve to run as an independent.
I'm not saying any of these values are less or more importnt than the other. It's up to the individual. But, right now, the democratic party has more tolerance for a Pro-Life member than the GOP has for a Pro-Choice member. IMO.
And that hurts, because again - I think Barkely could have won had he been running on the GOP ticket.
Agree
July 3, 2009 - 08:17 ET by general companyIf the Dems dont kill our right to vote as well. I for one would not put it pass them to try some kind of slight of hand here.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Also
July 2, 2009 - 22:14 ET by xcor057Move tax day from April 15th to November 15th. When voting on the first Tuesday of November people will also be thinking heavily about their taxes. Perhaps that will get them to vote with their brains.
Liberalism is fiction
"As someone who lives in MN
July 3, 2009 - 01:30 ET by ckc1227"As someone who lives in MN and absolutely did not vote for Franken, I can say positively that the election was not stolen."
Weren't there more votes than voters, and weren't there different standards from district to district? Didn't recounts in some districts result almost exclusively in new votes for Franken? Not really up to date on all the goings on there though, so I may have those things wrong. At any rate, it's clear to me that Minnesota is a state filled with idiots, and now the rest of the country has to pay for it.
"How else can all five State Supreme Court justices (including three
appointed by conservative governors) agree unanimously that Coleman did
not have a case? "
Conservative governors or Republican governors? They aren't the same thing. By the way, Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy say "hi".
ckc... That is exactly
July 3, 2009 - 01:35 ET by bigtimerckc...
That is exactly what I have read and heard happened...and I followed it as much as I could too.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
thanks ckc and bt - I thought there was some shading dealing
July 3, 2009 - 22:06 ET by Cape Conservativegoing on! Watching Franken will be interesting...how long do you suppose it will take before he puts his foot in his mouth bigtime?
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
CC... The first time he
July 3, 2009 - 22:20 ET by bigtimerCC...
The first time he opens it on the Senate floor when he counts on nobody listening with some kind of a speech for support of a bill/amendment.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
You shameless crook. This
July 3, 2009 - 02:59 ET by NL207You shameless crook. This is what people are talking about:
"This helps explain why more than 25 precincts now have more ballots than voters who signed in to vote"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123111967642552909.html
More votes were counted in those precints than people voted.
and this:
" Ramsey County precinct ended up with 177 more ballots than there were recorded votes on Election Night. In that case, the board decided to go with the extra ballots, rather than the Election Night total, even though the county is now showing more ballots than voters in the precinct"
same source. In this case, more people voted than were registered to vote. And Franken carried this as well.
The legal questions surrounding all this were heard by Democrat Judges. You think THEY are going to rule against Franken?
Then how do they explain the
July 3, 2009 - 13:58 ET by Tom PaineThen how do they explain the precincts where the number of votes cast exceeded the number of registered voters.
Have the New York
July 2, 2009 - 21:01 ET by cocodrieHave The New York Symphony Orchestra play Send IN The Clown when he enters the senate then have the United States Marine Band play Taps for America.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
coco... Now that idea of
July 2, 2009 - 21:05 ET by bigtimercoco...
Now that idea of yours is priceless.
I really wished we could have that done.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Good evening BT
July 2, 2009 - 21:36 ET by cocodrieToo bad we can't have the U.S, military do what the Honduran military did with their president.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
coco... We'll have to
July 2, 2009 - 21:42 ET by bigtimercoco...
We'll have to wait and see if he tries this....then maybe that wishful thinking can become reality.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Really !
July 3, 2009 - 00:42 ET by ACWDo you really want the America military to overthrow the democratically elected leader of the USA ? You are joking, Right ?
Jesus loves you indeed !
coco - hasn't 'the one' banished the MC Band to the hinterlands?
July 2, 2009 - 21:24 ET by Cape ConservativeThis comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
C'mon, ask about this...
July 2, 2009 - 22:14 ET by sic721http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/gov/uploaded_images/franken-794120.bmp
'nuff said
Liberalism is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.--- Mark Twain(paraphrased)
sic... OMG! Now this
July 2, 2009 - 22:26 ET by bigtimersic...
OMG! Now this needs a spew alert for sure...you have me roaring with laughter here.
Thanks...much needed by the time evening rolls around.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
dignity
July 3, 2009 - 05:53 ET by CatherwoodThat Franken can become a US Senator shows just how much dignity America has lost since the Clintones first brought pop culture ideas to the White House. Slick Willie Clinton destroyed the presidency and now gay comedians like Franken can destroy the Senate. The House was effectively ruined when Pelosi took over. We haven't much left.
Call your cable or satellite company and demand that they remove CNN, MSNBC, and MTV from your entertainment package. Stop subsidizing the liberal left.
jessieH
July 3, 2009 - 12:19 ET by jessieHjessieH I have heard his jokes. He sucks. Goodby America, hello obamaland.