McConnell reminds Franken that the Senate is not funny
Friday, August 06, 2010 at 2:07 pm
- 8 Comments
Photo: Andy Birkey
Freshman lawmakers in the Senate often get stuck presiding over that august institution so they can learn just how badly it doesn’t function. It seems that Minnesota Sen. Al Franken found himself in that position as Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was giving a closing speech against the appointment of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court (which passed anyway).
According to Politico, Franken “appeared to be moving around in his chair, gasping and rolling his eyes.” McConnell, of course preferring polite debate, took offense. He told Franken politely: “This isn’t ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Al.”
Franken apologized and wrote a note and, after a brief trip through the political media’s grist mill, it should blow over quickly. But the incident comes on the heels of George Packer’s heartbreaking tale of Senate dysfunction in The New Yorker, in which both Franken and McConnell feature prominently. Franken as one of the young senators eager to reform the archaic procedures of the body, while McConnell is framed as the cynical obstructionist.
Here’s how Packer puts McConnell’s role in the Senate:
Under McConnell, Republicans have consistently consumed as much of the Senate’s calendar as possible with legislative maneuvering. The strategy is not to extend deliberation of the Senate’s agenda but to prevent it. Tom Harkin, who first proposed reform of the filibuster in 1995, called his Republican colleagues “nihilists,” who want to create chaos because it serves their ideology. “If there’s chaos, things will tend toward simple solutions,” Harkin said. “In chaos people don’t listen to reason.” McConnell did not respond to requests for an interview, but he has often argued that the Republican strategy reflects the views of a majority of Americans. In March, he told the Times, “To the extent that they”—the Democrats—“want to do things that we think are in the political center and would be helpful to the country, we’ll be helpful. To the extent they are trying to turn us into a Western European country, we are not going to be helpful.”
There will be no mocking of the Senate, please. But making a mockery of Democracy is OK.
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Comment posted August 6, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
Wasn’t it once said…the Devil hates most being laughed at?
Mr. McConnell should be laughed all the way back to Ashland.
Comment posted August 6, 2010 @ 3:33 pm
It’s not like he jumped up and shouted, “LIAR!”.
Comment posted August 6, 2010 @ 3:58 pm
From McConnell’s speech:
“And let me just add that in my view the way that the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have conducted themselves in the minority over the past few years underscores that the kind of hyperbole and hysteria that has too often accompanied these Supreme Court nominations of Republican Presidents is hardly an essential part of the process.”
Franken was probably fighting back the laughter.
Comment posted August 6, 2010 @ 10:29 pm
I am not a Franken supporter but I must say I do appreciate his response. Whichever “side” one supports more civility is definitely required from both parties. Unfortunately I do not see that happening. I for one hope there will be a viable 3rd party one day soon that we the people can vote for. Till then I pray Sen. Franken does his part to represent us to the best of his abilities. So far I must admit I am not totally dissapointed.
God Bless America.
Comment posted August 7, 2010 @ 8:56 am
This is why I don’t support democrats. They’re not serious people. They get their news from Comedy Central, they elect pornographers and alleged comics to high office, they’re primary platform is the right to kill their children, engage in deviant sex and call it marriage, and demand half of my earnings because that’s somehow fair.
I mean, what’s with you people?
Comment posted August 7, 2010 @ 9:36 am
Dennis – good to have you back – I was worried – is everything ok?
I hate to say it but I really miss the trolls when they are gone – the predictability, the pettiness – everything that makes a troll a troll – it just isn’t the same without them.
Again, Dennis – I hope things are OK – your hyperbole and comic relief were missed.
Comment posted August 8, 2010 @ 11:40 am
That’s why I like Denny. He so seriously serious. He makes stuff up; he loudly supports the party of pornographers, adulterers, homosexuals, weakened defense, and fiscally unsound actions as the party that will save our country from pornographers, adulterers, homosexuals, weakened defense, and fiscally unsound actions.
And then wonders why ‘you people’ don’t agree.
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