Comments on: Daily Beast: ‘Franken is the right’s new punching bag’

By: John Emerson

John Emerson — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:41:33 +0000

After six years in office Franken should be safe. People will realize that he’s not Stuart Smalley by then.

By: lazercat

lazercat — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:02:35 +0000

I don’t think Republicans get the whole concept of sarcasm. For that matter they don’t get the concept of conservatism or fiscal responsibility either.

By: Ed Norton

Ed Norton — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:34:46 +0000

Maybe “over the top” liberals want some representation, too. “Idealogs” (is that some new kind of Web service?) may be just fine provided that they have good ideas that result from critical thinking.

The barking right will find someone to hound no matter what. If it is not Franken, it would be somebody else. Franken actually has a good defense. He can claim that the right has it in for him because he exposed their lies.

By: keith Kuckler

keith Kuckler — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:25:24 +0000

i suspect that franken is way too smart to play by the rights playbook. if he adopts a low-key profile, concentrates on constituent service, and, learns the ropes in the senate, he will do just fine. i remember that paul wellstone got off to a rocky start, but, he soon found his groove, and, turned out to be an effective senator. i think franken will do the same. if he concentrates on issues of working minnesotans, he will serve a long time. i can hardly wait for his maiden speech in the senate, he should interject a note of lightness, in a body, that all to often takes it self way to seriously.

By: Jesse Erdmann

Jesse Erdmann — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:18:41 +0000

This is actually one of the reasons I wasn’t sold on Franken even though I ended up voting for him. I almost am willing to take six more years of Coleman chasing the political winds, especially since they seem to be blowing more moderately, and get a better DFL candidate in the next go ’round that would have more staying power. (Keith Ellison would be nice if we were certain the black Muslim thing wouldn’t scare off too many suburban to rural voters. Of course, in six years we’re probably still going to be at the point where Muslim is just as bad or worse “red meat” for the right wing than Franken is at the moment.)

PS: Three months ’til Thunder season. \/\/007!!!

By: Eric Ferguson

Eric Ferguson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:17:45 +0000

Franken has been a punching bag for a long time. What’s new is the recount and “stolen” election is the new bloody shirt. If anyone thinks conservatives can’t be serious about this conspiracy theory lunacy, you haven’t noticed the tin foil hats stiched to their heads.

By: Ralph Kramden

Ralph Kramden — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:01:53 +0000

For years, Ted Kennedy was used by the right as a fund-raising stalking horse. Now, with Kennedy’s senior status and recent bout with brain cancer, he’s a much more sympathetic character, so attacking him is just bad PR.

If my recent emails from NewsMax.com are any indication (“Franken vote fraud”, “Franken and Soros”, etc, etc – Donate Now!) Franken is indeed being advanced as a lightning rod, and target for the right’s fund-raising efforts.

I certainly haven’t ponied up any funds! :-)

By: barryS

barryS — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:54:24 +0000

I think you have this backwards:

“Rather they’re political pugilists whose sole purpose is to rile up the conservative base (and make boatloads of money).”

It’s really ‘they’re political pugilists whose sole purpose is to make boatloads of money (by riling up the conservative base).’ Because really – if those blowhards could make more money riling up the liberal base – I’m sure they would jump ship in a heartbeat. Limbaugh himself has said so in several interviews… he’s an entertainer first; his show just happens to entertain the conservative base. All the others mimic his entertainment style, not his political passions.