Changes

After all the court appeals the Republican governor of Minnesota, [[Tim Pawlenty]], signed the certificate of election for Franken and he took office July 6, 2009, for a six-year term.  Franken's win gave Democrats a 58–40–2 margin in the Senate, enough to shut off filibusters if the 58, along with two Independents who caucus with the Democrats, hung together.

After all the court appeals the Republican governor of Minnesota, [[Tim Pawlenty]], signed the certificate of election for Franken and he took office July 6, 2009, for a six-year term.  Franken's win gave Democrats a 58–40–2 margin in the Senate, enough to shut off filibusters if the 58, along with two Independents who caucus with the Democrats, hung together.

== Fraudulent Election? ==

== Fraudulent election? ==

The recount that turned Al Franken into a U.S. Senator may have been decided by convicted felons who voted illegally in Minnesota's Twin Cities it was announced in July, 2010.  In a study conducted by Minnesota Majority, a conservative watchdog group, found that at least 341 convicted felons in largely Democratic [[Minneapolis]]-[[St. Paul (City)|St. Paul]] voted illegally in the 2008 Senate race. The final recount vote in the race, determined six months after Election Day, showed Franken beat Coleman by 312 votes -- ''fewer votes than the number of felons whose illegal ballots were counted'', according to the newly released study, which matched publicly available conviction lists with voting records. The group took the voting lists and matched them with conviction lists and then went to the voting roster lists, where voters sign in before going to the voting booth, and matched them by hand.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/12/felons-voting-illegally-franken-minnesota-study-finds/ Felons Voting Illegally May Have Put Franken Over the Top in Minnesota, Study Finds]</ref>

The recount that turned Al Franken into a U.S. Senator may have been decided by convicted felons who voted illegally in Minnesota's Twin Cities, it was announced in July, 2010.  In a study conducted by Minnesota Majority, a conservative watchdog group, found that at least 341 convicted felons in largely Democratic [[Minneapolis]]-[[St. Paul (City)|St. Paul]] voted illegally in the 2008 Senate race. The final recount vote in the race, determined six months after Election Day, showed Franken beat Coleman by 312 votes -- ''fewer votes than the number of felons whose illegal ballots were counted'', according to the newly released study, which matched publicly available conviction lists with voting records. The group took the voting lists and matched them with conviction lists and then went to the voting roster lists, where voters sign in before going to the voting booth, and matched them by hand.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/12/felons-voting-illegally-franken-minnesota-study-finds/ Felons Voting Illegally May Have Put Franken Over the Top in Minnesota, Study Finds]</ref>

[[Ann Coulter]] said,

[[Ann Coulter]] said,

Franken was born in [[New York City]], and spent several years while growing up in St Louis Park, a suburb of [[Minneapolis]]. Until he decided to run for the Senate, he lived in [[California]] and [[New York]] all of his adult life.<ref>[http://www.owenfranken.com/bio.html Owen Franken, Biography, statement about where Al Franken resided]</ref>   

Franken was born in [[New York City]], and spent several years while growing up in St Louis Park, a suburb of [[Minneapolis]]. Until he decided to run for the Senate, he lived in [[California]] and [[New York]] all of his adult life.<ref>[http://www.owenfranken.com/bio.html Owen Franken, Biography, statement about where Al Franken resided]</ref>   

Franken was a bit player on ''Saturday Night Live'' for nearly two decades, starting in 1979.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291253/#writer1970</ref> Unlike many other SNL performers (such as Dan Akroyd, Chevy Chase, Mike Myers, Tina Fey or Steve Martin) he was unable to parlay his time into a successful movie or film career. His one starring film role was in the 1995 movie ''Stuart Saves His Family'', which was a commercial and critical disaster. The film is certified "rotten" on the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes, scoring just 28% positive.<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stuart_saves_his_family/</ref>

Franken was a bit player on ''Saturday Night Live'' for nearly two decades, starting in 1979.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291253/#writer1970</ref> Unlike many other ''SNL'' performers (such as Dan Akroyd, Chevy Chase, Mike Myers, Tina Fey or Steve Martin) he was unable to parlay his time into a successful movie or film career. His one starring film role was in the 1995 movie ''Stuart Saves His Family'', which was a commercial and critical disaster. The film is certified "rotten" on the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes, scoring just 28% positive.<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stuart_saves_his_family/</ref>

==Policies==

==Policies==

==Vulgar satire==

==Vulgar satire==

His career was as a rather vulgar satirist, comedian, and former radio host for the [[Air America]] network. Franken has worked as a comedy writer and performer on the television program ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' and was the star and screenwriter of the motion picture ''Stuart Saves His Family'' (which was based on his ''SNL'' character, self-help show host Stuart Smalley, which has been used by Franken's critics to derisively refer to him after he entered politics). Franken has also written for ''Playboy'' magazine, a pornographic publication, although his supporters and the media often skip over that when they talk about him.

His career was as a rather vulgar satirist, comedian, and former host for the [[Air America Radio]] network. Franken has worked as a comedy writer and performer on the television program ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' and was the star and screenwriter of the motion picture ''Stuart Saves His Family'' (which was based on his ''SNL'' character, self-help show host Stuart Smalley, which has been used by Franken's critics to derisively refer to him after he entered politics). Franken has also written for ''Playboy'' magazine, a pornographic publication, although his supporters and the media often skip over that when they talk about him.

   

   

Within six months of leaving ''Air America'' to assume his Senate duties, the liberal slanted radio network Franken had been with since its founding filed for [[bankruptcy]] due to declining listenership, ad revenue, and the unwillingness of investors to absorb further losses.<ref>http://www.newmediajournal.us/media/01222010.htm</ref>

Within six months of leaving Air America to assume his Senate duties, the liberal slanted radio network Franken had been with since its founding filed for [[bankruptcy]] due to declining listenership, ad revenue, and the unwillingness of investors to absorb further losses.<ref>http://www.newmediajournal.us/media/01222010.htm</ref>

==Style==

==Style==

Franken is known for his anti-conservative hate speak (he has called them "nasty, hateful people" <ref>[http://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/doasisay/quiz.pdf Random House.com]</ref>) and his coarse humor. He once quipped to the Harvard Crimson, "I dislike homosexuals. I was glad when that [Harvard] homosexual got killed." <ref>[http://www.gaypatriot.net/2007/01/18/al-frankens-anti-gay-past/]</ref><ref>[http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2007/01/al-franken-jokes-about-murder-of-gay.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149]</ref> In his book ''Lying Liars'', Franken wrote that a "Methodist minister had had his head up his %#@" in a dispute about the Bible "Do you know what God’s punishment is for liars?" [the minister] asked me ... "God’s punishment for liars is that they believe their own lies." The minister was referring to 2 Thess 2:10-12 which says substantially that. Franken acknowledged his mistake in the paperback version.

Franken is known for his anti-conservative hate speak (he has called them "nasty, hateful people" <ref>[http://www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/doasisay/quiz.pdf Random House.com]</ref>) and his coarse humor. He once quipped to the ''Harvard Crimson'', "I dislike homosexuals. I was glad when that [Harvard] homosexual got killed." <ref>[http://www.gaypatriot.net/2007/01/18/al-frankens-anti-gay-past/]</ref><ref>[http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2007/01/al-franken-jokes-about-murder-of-gay.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=112149]</ref> In his book ''Lying Liars'', Franken wrote that a "Methodist minister had had his head up his %#@" in a dispute about the Bible "Do you know what God’s punishment is for liars?" [the minister] asked me ... "God’s punishment for liars is that they believe their own lies." The minister was referring to 2 Thess 2:10-12 which says substantially that. Franken acknowledged his mistake in the paperback version.

At one point his radio show was going to be called "The Liberal Show."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/magazine/21FRANKEN.html?pagewanted=8&ei=5007&en=5c47bbc5c11b11f2&ex=1395205200&partner=USERLAND Al Franken, Seriously]</ref>  but upon debut, it was known as "The O'Franken Factor," a name Franken chose to parody [[Bill O'Reilly]] and taunt him into a lawsuit, getting his show free publicity.<ref>[http://www.kgw.com/business/stories/kgw_033004_biz_progressive_radio.d7edf1d8.html Al Franken's liberal radio network comes to Portland]</ref> When the lawsuit failed to materialize, the show was renamed "The Al Franken Show."

At one point his radio show was going to be called "The Liberal Show."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/magazine/21FRANKEN.html?pagewanted=8&ei=5007&en=5c47bbc5c11b11f2&ex=1395205200&partner=USERLAND Al Franken, Seriously]</ref>  but upon debut, it was known as "The O'Franken Factor," a name Franken chose to parody [[Bill O'Reilly]] and taunt him into a lawsuit, getting his show free publicity.<ref>[http://www.kgw.com/business/stories/kgw_033004_biz_progressive_radio.d7edf1d8.html Al Franken's liberal radio network comes to Portland]</ref> When the lawsuit failed to materialize, the show was renamed "The Al Franken Show."

==2008 election==

==2008 election==

In the 2008 election campaign,  Franken's rudeness, vulgarity, and coarse style led critics to ask about whether he alienated himself from the important undecided swing voters.<ref>http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1083904.html Star Tribune retrieved 6 April 2007</ref><ref>[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/06/frankens-senate-race-haunted-by-1995-rape-joke-on-snl-set/ Franken’s Senate Race Haunted by 1995 Rape Joke on ‘SNL’ Set]</ref> Franken was under fire for an interview he did in Playboy magazine that was considered by many to be unbecoming for a senatorial candidate<ref>[https://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/franken_playboy/2008/05/29/100040.html?s=al&promo_code=635B-1] and [https://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Washington_Post_franken/2008/06/18/105702.html]</ref>   

In the 2008 election campaign,  Franken's rudeness, vulgarity, and coarse style led critics to ask about whether he alienated himself from the important undecided swing voters.<ref>http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1083904.html Star Tribune retrieved 6 April 2007</ref><ref>[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/06/frankens-senate-race-haunted-by-1995-rape-joke-on-snl-set/ Franken’s Senate Race Haunted by 1995 Rape Joke on ‘SNL’ Set]</ref> Franken was under fire for an interview he did in ''Playboy'' magazine that was considered by many to be unbecoming for a senatorial candidate<ref>[https://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/franken_playboy/2008/05/29/100040.html?s=al&promo_code=635B-1] and [https://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Washington_Post_franken/2008/06/18/105702.html]</ref>   

The election was very close, with multiple recounts and appeals. On January 5, 2009, the Minnesota election board declared Franken the winner by a razor-thin 225 votes. Coleman filed a lawsuit, which by state law had to be resolved before Franken could be seated.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090105/ap_on_el_se/minnesota_senate</ref> He was seated July 7, 2009, upon which the Wall Street Journal proclaimed that "Mr. Franken now goes to the Senate having effectively stolen an election." <ref>[http://spectator.org/archives/2009/07/02/al-frankens-blue-ball Al Franken's Blue Ball; American Spectator, July 2, 2009]</ref><ref>[http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jromano/2009/05/07/perkins-coie/ When Dems Don’t Have the Votes, [[Perkins Coie]] Finds Them - Big Hollywood, May 7, 2009]</ref>

The election was very close, with multiple recounts and appeals. On January 5, 2009, the Minnesota election board declared Franken the winner by a razor-thin 225 votes. Coleman filed a lawsuit, which by state law had to be resolved before Franken could be seated.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090105/ap_on_el_se/minnesota_senate</ref> He was seated July 7, 2009, upon which the ''Wall Street Journal'' proclaimed that "Mr. Franken now goes to the Senate having effectively stolen an election." <ref>[http://spectator.org/archives/2009/07/02/al-frankens-blue-ball Al Franken's Blue Ball; American Spectator, July 2, 2009]</ref><ref>[http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jromano/2009/05/07/perkins-coie/ When Dems Don’t Have the Votes, [[Perkins Coie]] Finds Them - Big Hollywood, May 7, 2009]</ref>

==Controversial Statements==

==Controversial statements==

On Franken's website, there is the admonition ''"Anybody who deliberately propagandizes with lies should be held up to scorn and ridicule"''.<ref>http://lyingliar.com/index.htm</ref>  Throughout his books he has held himself to "impossibly high standards" to tell the truth about those he has written about.  Author Alan Skorski researched two of Franken's books (''Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot'' and ''Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them'') and found an extensive pattern of lies, misstatements, factual inaccuracies, among them:

On Franken's website, there is the admonition ''"Anybody who deliberately propagandizes with lies should be held up to scorn and ridicule"''.<ref>http://lyingliar.com/index.htm</ref>  Throughout his books he has held himself to "impossibly high standards" to tell the truth about those he has written about.  Author Alan Skorski researched two of Franken's books (''Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot'' and ''Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them'') and found an extensive pattern of lies, misstatements, factual inaccuracies, among them:

*Accusing Ann Coulter of "lying with footnotes" by "citing a source and misrepresenting what it says"; throughout his book Skorski states that Franken has done exactly that on numerous occasions (Skorski, pg. xiii)

*Accusing Ann Coulter of "lying with footnotes" by "citing a source and misrepresenting what it says"; throughout his book Skorski states that Franken has done exactly that on numerous occasions (Skorski, pg. xiii).

*Accusing President George W. Bush of treason

*Accusing President George W. Bush of treason.

*The collision between Bush foreign policy advisor Richard Armitage and news reporter Helen Thomas, which Franken had claimed broke both her hip and jaw (''Lying Liars'', pg 218), but which Thomas herself said never happened (Skorski, pg 208).  After this came to light, Franken later added a footnote in the paperback version of the book saying, "The Helen Thomas thing is a joke."<ref>Franken, ''Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them'', page 227 of the paperback</ref>

*The collision between Bush foreign policy advisor [[Richard Armitage]] and news reporter [[Helen Thomas]], which Franken had claimed broke both her hip and jaw (''Lying Liars'', pg 218), but which Thomas herself said never happened (Skorski, pg 208).  After this came to light, Franken later added a footnote in the paperback version of the book saying, "The Helen Thomas thing is a joke."<ref>Franken, ''Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them'', page 227 of the paperback</ref>

*Franken stated he is "often compared to Rush Limbaugh" when on the air, despite the fact that by the time he left his Air America show to run for the U.S. Senate, his radio network was reduced to just over 40 market stations as a result of severely-low ratings and ultimately bankruptcy.  Limbaugh, by comparison, plays on more than 600 stations with an average daily listening audience of 22 million (Skorski, pg 303).

*Franken stated he is "often compared to Rush Limbaugh" when on the air, despite the fact that by the time he left his Air America show to run for the U.S. Senate, his radio network was reduced to just over 40 market stations as a result of severely-low ratings and ultimately bankruptcy.  Limbaugh, by comparison, plays on more than 600 stations with an average daily listening audience of 22 million (Skorski, pg 303).

*Franken claimed on his radio show (June 1, 2005) that Rush Limbaugh made up a quotation supposedly said by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which claimed Ginsburg said "replacing 'Mother's Day' and 'Father's Day' with a 'Parent's Day' should be considered...".  Skorski did a Google check on Ginsburg and discovered a May 20, 2005 column from the ''National Review'' titled "Bench Warmers, Putting Judicial Nominees in Perspective, Part III"; this column cited a September, 1974 article written by Ginsburg which advocated for the creation of a "Parent's Day" to replace both Mother's and Father's Days.

*Franken claimed on his radio show (June 1, 2005) that Rush Limbaugh made up a quotation supposedly said by Supreme Court Justice [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]], which claimed Ginsburg said "replacing 'Mother's Day' and 'Father's Day' with a 'Parent's Day' should be considered...".  Skorski did a Google check on Ginsburg and discovered a May 20, 2005 column from the ''National Review Online'' website entitled "Bench warmers, putting judicial nominees in perspective, part III"; this column cited a September, 1974 article written by Ginsburg which advocated for the creation of a "Parent's Day" to replace both Mother's and Father's Days.

*Franken claimed John Murphy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was lying when he took a pro-CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) position on PBS's ''Lehrer Report'' (July 27, 2005) stating "we've seen unemployment fall to 5.0 percent today, which is lower than it's been in decades."<ref>http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm</ref>  Skorski demonstrated that Franken took the unemployment figures under the [[Clinton Administration]] by the month (rather than by the year as the Bureau of Labor Statistics does) and willfully distorted them to make it appear that it was Murphy who was lying (Skorski, pg. 77-78).

*Franken claimed John Murphy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was lying when he took a pro-CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) position on PBS's ''Lehrer Report'' (July 27, 2005) stating "we've seen unemployment fall to 5.0 percent today, which is lower than it's been in decades."<ref>https://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm</ref>  Skorski demonstrated that Franken took the unemployment figures under the [[Clinton Administration]] by the month (rather than by the year as the Bureau of Labor Statistics does) and willfully distorted them to make it appear that it was Murphy who was lying (Skorski, pg. 77–78).

== Quotes ==

== Quotes ==

*Republicans are shameless d**ks. No, that's not fair. Republican politicians are shameless d**ks.<ref>The Truth (With Jokes) p. 58</ref>

*Republicans are shameless d**ks. No, that's not fair. Republican politicians are shameless d**ks.<ref>''The Truth (With Jokes)'' p. 58</ref>

*"Nobody likes getting an abortion. Except perhaps, rape victims." <ref>The Truth (With Jokes) p. 124</ref>

*"Nobody likes getting an abortion. Except perhaps, rape victims." <ref>''The Truth (With Jokes)'' p. 124</ref>

*Of how big an a-s [[Brit Hume]] is, and how shamless, how f*cking shamless these people are, these people are so f*cking shamless." <ref>Howard Dean fundrasier, 2003</ref>  

*Of how big an a-s [[Brit Hume]] is, and how shameless, how f---ing shameless these people are, these people are so f---ing shamless." <ref>[[Howard Dean]] fundraiser, 2003</ref>  

*"Ever tempted to run for office yourself?" Franken replied, "Oh, no! First of all, if I took one vote away from a serious candidate, it would be a sin." <ref>Time Magazine, 09/01/03</ref>

*"Ever tempted to run for office yourself?" Franken replied, "Oh, no! First of all, if I took one vote away from a serious candidate, it would be a sin." <ref>''Time'' magazine, 09/01/03</ref>

*"If I put myself on the ballot and even 50 people voted for me, it would be a travesty." <ref>The Oregonian, 02/22/99</ref>

*"If I put myself on the ballot and even 50 people voted for me, it would be a travesty." <ref>''The Oregonian'', 02/22/99</ref>

*"It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia." <ref>The Harvard Crimson, 4/16/76</ref>

*"It's not preppies, cause I'm a preppie myself. I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding [Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals]. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding homosexual got killed in Philadelphia." <ref>''The Harvard Crimson'', 4/16/76</ref>

*"The shocking thing about crack is how fast the addiction runs its course. It's not unusual for alcoholics to take 20 or 30 years to hit bottom. Cocaine addicts take maybe a couple of years. Crack, a form of cocaine, usually is a matter of months. The Reagan Administration has been the crack of our nation's debt addiction. And [[Ronald Reagan]], the crack dealer." <ref>"Addictions and Mr. Reagan" by Al Franken, The New York Times, 7/19/88</ref>

*"The shocking thing about crack is how fast the addiction runs its course. It's not unusual for alcoholics to take 20 or 30 years to hit bottom. Cocaine addicts take maybe a couple of years. Crack, a form of cocaine, usually is a matter of months. The Reagan Administration has been the crack of our nation's debt addiction. And [[Ronald Reagan]], the crack dealer." <ref>"Addictions and Mr. Reagan" by Al Franken, ''The New York Times'', 7/19/88</ref>

*"In an odd way, I blame Linda Tripp and Ann Coulter for Sept. 11, because if they hadn't dug this stuff up, it may not have happened," Franken on-air comment following separate interviews about 'wagging the dog,' a reference to conservative accusations that Clinton diverted attention from the Monica Lewinsky scandal by launching attacks on terrorists.<ref>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/7/04</ref>

*"In an odd way, I blame [[Linda Tripp]] and Ann Coulter for Sept. 11, because if they hadn't dug this stuff up, it may not have happened," Franken on-air comment following separate interviews about 'wagging the dog,' a reference to conservative accusations that Clinton diverted attention from the Monica Lewinsky scandal by launching attacks on terrorists.<ref>''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', 4/7/04</ref>

*"I think, for example, under god probably shouldn't be in the pledge of allegiance, it wasn't put in there since, like the 50's, but it's not that big a deal to me. In god we trust probably shouldn't be on the coin. I don't care." <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rmm5ioINl4</ref>

*"I think, for example, "under God" probably shouldn't be in the Pledge of Allegiance, it wasn't put in there since, like the 50's, but it's not that big a deal to me. "In God we trust" probably shouldn't be on the coin. I don't care." <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rmm5ioINl4</ref>

== Playboy Article ==

== ''Playboy'' article ==

In 2000, Al Franken's comments appeared in a ''Playboy'' article titled "Porn-O-Rama!" He was quoted as saying that the Internet is a great tool for learning and that his 12-year-old son was able to do a report on bestiality for a sixth-grade assignment.

In 2000, Al Franken's comments appeared in a ''Playboy'' article titled "Porn-O-Rama!" He was quoted as saying that the Internet is a great tool for learning and that his 12-year-old son was able to do a report on bestiality for a sixth-grade assignment.

[[File:alfrankendiapers.jpg|right|thumb| Minnesota embarrassment (in purportedly fake photo)]]

[[File:alfrankendiapers.jpg|right|thumb| Minnesota embarrassment]]

== Tax Issues ==

== Tax Issues ==

===Sexual harassment===

===Sexual harassment===

In November and December 2017, Franken was accused by several women – with photographic evidence – of groping and sexually harassing them.<ref>Moran, Sean (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/sen-al-franken-will-resign-in-the-coming-weeks/ Sen. Al Franken Will Resign ‘in the Coming Weeks’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> While liberals and the establishment were significantly more lenient on him than they were on [[conservative]] [[Roy Moore]] for unproven (and in all likelihood, false) allegations,<ref>Multiple references:

In November and December 2017, Franken was accused by several women – with photographic evidence – of groping and sexually harassing them.<ref>Moran, Sean (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/sen-al-franken-will-resign-in-the-coming-weeks/ Sen. Al Franken Will Resign ‘in the Coming Weeks’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> While liberals and the establishment were significantly more lenient on him than they were on [[conservative]] [[Roy Moore]] for unproven (and in all likelihood, false) allegations,<ref>Multiple references:

*Scarry, Eddie (November 17, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/major-newspapers-hold-fire-on-al-franken-in-contrast-to-roy-moore/article/2641022 Major newspapers hold fire on Al Franken, in contrast to Roy Moore]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved November 17, 2017.

*Scarry, Eddie (November 17, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/major-newspapers-hold-fire-on-al-franken-in-contrast-to-roy-moore/article/2641022 Major newspapers hold fire on Al Franken, in contrast to Roy Moore]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved November 17, 2017.

*Mason, Ian (November 17, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/17/gop-leaders-who-threw-fellow-republican-moore-to-the-wolves-stay-silent-on-dem-franken/ GOP Leaders Who Threw Fellow Republican Moore to the Wolves Stay Silent on Dem Franken]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 17, 2017.</ref>  Franken, after initially resisting calls for his resignation, eventually was forced to announce his resignation "in the coming weeks,"<ref>Moran, Sean (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/sen-al-franken-will-resign-in-the-coming-weeks/ Sen. Al Franken Will Resign ‘in the Coming Weeks’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> although he cast himself as a "victim" of his accusers.<ref>Nolte, John (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/disgraced-sen-al-franken-lying-left-wing-women-forced-resign/ Defiant Al Franken Blames Lying Women for His Resignation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> He used his resignation speech to attack Moore and U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/al-franken-falls-sword-party-can-attack-donald-trump/ Al Franken Falls on His Sword So the Party Can Attack Donald Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> Many of Franken's staffers cried at his resignation speech, and almost every Senator present at his resignation speech – almost all Democrats – embraced him afterward.<ref>Weaver, Al (December 7, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/ready-democratic-senators-and-staffers-shed-tears-during-al-frankens-resignation-speech/article/2642861 'Ready?': Democratic senators and staffers shed tears during Al Franken's resignation speech]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref>

*Mason, Ian (November 17, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/17/gop-leaders-who-threw-fellow-republican-moore-to-the-wolves-stay-silent-on-dem-franken/ GOP Leaders Who Threw Fellow Republican Moore to the Wolves Stay Silent on Dem Franken]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 17, 2017.</ref>  Franken, after initially resisting calls for his resignation, eventually was forced to announce his resignation "in the coming weeks,"<ref>Moran, Sean (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/sen-al-franken-will-resign-in-the-coming-weeks/ Sen. Al Franken Will Resign ‘in the Coming Weeks’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> although he cast himself as a "victim" of his accusers.<ref>Nolte, John (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/disgraced-sen-al-franken-lying-left-wing-women-forced-resign/ Defiant Al Franken Blames Lying Women for His Resignation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> He used his resignation speech to attack Moore and U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/07/al-franken-falls-sword-party-can-attack-donald-trump/ Al Franken Falls on His Sword So the Party Can Attack Donald Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> Many of Franken's staffers cried at his resignation speech, and almost every Senator present at his resignation speech – almost all Democrats – embraced him afterward.<ref>Weaver, Al (December 7, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/ready-democratic-senators-and-staffers-shed-tears-during-al-frankens-resignation-speech/article/2642861 'Ready?': Democratic senators and staffers shed tears during Al Franken's resignation speech]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref>

Franken officially resigned on January 2, 2018.<ref>Samuels, Brett (January 2, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/367105-franken-makes-senate-resignation-official Franken makes Senate resignation official]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 2, 2018.</ref>

Franken officially resigned on January 2, 2018.<ref>Samuels, Brett (January 2, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/367105-franken-makes-senate-resignation-official Franken makes Senate resignation official]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 2, 2018.</ref>

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Franken Syndrome]]

*[[Franken Syndrome]]

==References==

==References==

==External links==

==External links==

*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291253/ Al Franken] at the Internet Movie Database

*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0291253/ Al Franken] at the Internet Movie Database

*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1142525 Al Franken] at National Public Radio

*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1142525 Al Franken] at National Public Radio

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0] Al Franken engaging in highly unbecoming behavior

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0] Al Franken engaging in highly unbecoming behavior

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