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cover of episode Politics and Musings Live with former Senator Al Franken

Politics and Musings Live with former Senator Al Franken

2025/6/20
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What A Day
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Al Franken: 我在明尼苏达州长大，父亲对我的政治观点产生了重要影响。他原本是共和党人，但因为对民权法案的看法，转而支持民主党。我从小就喜欢喜剧，并在高中时开始表演，后来成为了《周六夜现场》的编剧。在离开SNL后，我开始写作，并主持广播节目。在2002年，保罗·韦尔斯通去世后，我决定竞选参议员，并在2008年成功当选。我认为，喜剧的经验对我的政治生涯有很大帮助，特别是在公众演讲和写作方面。

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Al Franken's journey from a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live to a U.S. Senator is recounted. His political awakening is traced back to his father's reaction to the Civil Rights Movement, and his career in comedy and writing is detailed, leading up to his closely contested Senate race and victory.
  • Al Franken's career on Saturday Night Live (1975-1980, 1985-1995)
  • His political awakening influenced by the Civil Rights Movement
  • His writing career, including books like "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot"
  • His close 2008 Senate race win against Norm Coleman by only 312 votes
  • Franken's time as a U.S. Senator (until 2018)

Shownotes Transcript

A few weeks ago, What A Day took a trip to the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in Seattle, Washington, for a conversation with former Democratic Minnesota Senator Al Franken.

His path to politics is a fascinating one. He transitioned from being a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, a role he held from 1975 to 1980 and from 1985 to 1995, to a prominent figure in the political arena.

*Franken's journey took a significant turn when he ran for the Senate in 2008 against Republican Norm Coleman. In a nail-biting race, he emerged victorious by a mere 312 votes, marking one of the closest winning margins in Senate history. Coleman's concession didn’t come until June 2009, a testament to the intensity of the race.) ***Franken served in the Senate until 2018.

 

Show Notes: