GO AL!!! Franken Meets With Senate Dems, Gets Standing Ovation

[CatWoman]

Al Franken met with Senate Democrats Tuesday afternoon to "get plugged in" to the Democratic caucus and to give them an update on Minnesota's contested Senate race.

Senate Democrats gave the comedian-turned-Democratic candidate a standing ovation.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has discussed committee assignments with Franken and invited him to meet with Senate Democrats at the weekly Tuesday lunch.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the vice chairman of the Democratic Conference, said it would be only a matter of time before Franken joined the Senate.

"We're very optimistic," he said. "We see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Franken said he would not ask Senate Democrats to attempt to seat him before the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a final ruling on the outcome of his race with Norm Coleman (R).

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director Eric Schultz said that Reid invited Coleman "to get plugged in" to the caucus and to provide an update on the state of the race.

If Franken joins the Senate, Democrats will control 59 votes, one short of a filibuster-proof majority.

A GOP leadership aide dismissed Schumer's optimism.

"He's been seeing the light at the end of the tunnel since this all started," the aide said of Schumer.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/al-franken-meets-with-senate-dems-2009-03-10.html

[derby378]

1. Franken shouldn't be so coy...

Coleman's going to lose no matter what, so Franken might as well make himself at home.

[camera obscura]

2. Hooray for SENATOR-ELECT AL FRANKEN!

:D

[movonne]

15. I hope he becomes a Senator before he has to run again...this

is ridiculous taking this long to seat him...

[prolesunited]

3. He needs to be seated soon.

Funny how the GOP hates lawyers -- until they need them to screw with the election process.

[Jennicut]

4. Minn needs representation now!

[firedupdem]

5. It's really disgusting that this has been allowed to go on for so long. He

should have been seated long ago. Hopefully there really is light at the end of the tunnel this time.

[xchrom]

6. recommend

[lucretia54]

7. It's time for Al Franken...

It's time for Al Franken...SENATOR Al Franken!

[CatWoman]

9. Well, hello there Lucretia

welcome to DU :hi:

are you a cat lover too?

[lucretia54]

14. Well Hello back!

Yes, I have three kitties and a big dog!
Sweet Pea, Lady and Patti...and Mary Jane, a Rotti Shephard Mix!

[opihimoimoi]

8. Norm the Worm has killed his opportunities for future races..exposed himself

to be a really NEGATIVE Person....Not the kind of Leader we wish

[vaberella]

10. How so?

By obstructing the results of the race for further recounts which has caused no representation for Minnesota?! If so...Hell yeah. So even with a special election he can't win this shit.

[opihimoimoi]

11. He has sullied his reputation...now, he has very little credibility and respect

....essential to good election results....

Same goes for the rest of the GOP's best..They have ruined their Brand Name into the deep abyss

[LiberalFighter]

12. By my reasoning "The Hill" messed up their article.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director Eric Schultz said that Reid invited Coleman "to get plugged in" to the caucus and to provide an update on the state of the race.

I don't see why they would invite Coleman.

[CatWoman]

13. you're a good proof reader

:)

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

16. Thanks, I was going to raise this too

Good catch

[otohara]

17. Reid Is Such A Woose

WTF...

Honestly the Senate Dems need a new leader.

[Cha]

21. I didn't understand

that part, either.

[MoonRiver]

18. When the hell is this Minnesota fiasco going to end???

:argh:

[polichick]

19. Can't wait to see Al sworn in!!!

[Cha]

20. That's right, Schumer's been seeing the light at

the end of the tunnel since this started because Franken is destined to win..some peeps could just see that.

"GOP leadership aide dismissed Schumer's optimism.

"He's been seeing the light at the end of the tunnel since this all started," the aide said of Schumer."

[PBS Poll-435]

22. I love Al.

I can't wait for him to take his seat in the United States Senate.

[Ken Burch]

23. "...Reid invited COLEMAN to 'get plugged in'..."?

We'd all like to TELL Coleman to "get plugged in", but is that actually what you meant to write?

[Honeycombe8]

24. Glad to hear it! Franken has shown real cajones in going the distance. Booya! nt

[harun]

25. He has street cred now for sticking it out and not caving. We need more Dem's

like Franken.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

26. I hope Dems have learned a lesson here.

[Chovexani]

27. I just want BillO to have to say "Senator Franken" for the next six years

Really that's all I want. :evilgrin:

[Kalyke]

28. Is that Adrian Brody in that picture?

:loveya:

[Chovexani]

29. No. But thanks for making me feel old.

That, my dear, is the fabulous Peter Wingfield, aka Methos on Highlander (which is where that screencap is from). :)

[Mz Pip]

31. Sadly I doubt Orally will

I think Franken will be dead to Billo. But inside Billo's roids will be burning.

We can at least be assured that Billo will be very uncomfortable for the next few years. :evilgrin:

[PretzelWarrior]

30. I've been rereading his "Truth with Jokes" book and "Lies and the lying liars..

It is refreshing to be reminded that behind the snark and satire is some incisive commentary about how the Democrats and the American people had to deal with the full onslaught of the right wing media and the liars at the top of the Republican food chain.

I really want to see him be senator quickly. I sent him donations back when he was still in the primaries, and I'm happy he is on the cusp of joining that august group.

[Phx_Dem]

32. Standing O! Very classy Dems.

Al deserves a standing O for the way he's been handing his victory and the subsequent bullshit from sore-loserman Coleman.