Life imitates art, I guess. Here’s a transcript of a Saturday Night Live sketch from the 1990s featuring Al Franken as a political analyst discussing negative ads on the fake news broadcast "Weekend Update with Norm MacDonald":
Al Franken: Uh, yes, Norm. This appears to be the roughest campaign year ever.
Norm MacDonald: Negative campaigning?
Al Franken: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I’ve been covering politics for a long time and this is, without a doubt, the most mean-spirited year I’ve ever seen. Now, take for example, Massachusetts [scattered applause] where Senate challenger Mitt Romney is spending millions of dollars on attack ads like this one. Watch.
[Dissolve to ad with photo of a ruddy-faced Ted Kennedy accompanied by minor key music and a deep-throated, smarmy announcer's voice over.]
Announcer V/O: On October 14th, 1978, Ted Kennedy is seen puking in the parking lot of the U.S. Capitol. … On February 8th, 1983, Kennedy relieves himself on the leg of a Georgetown waitress. … Two years later, Kennedy passes out on the floor of the Senate, soiling himself in the process. … Kennedy — He’s a big, fat drunk. …
[Cheers and applause as we dissolve back to Al and Norm at the desk.]
Norm MacDonald: Yeah. Yeah, that was tough.
Al Franken: It’s a tough year. Tough year. … And it’s really become a no-holds barred contest. Uh, watch this. This is one of Kennedy’s attack ads on Romney.
[Dissolve to another ad with minor key music and a deep-throated, smarmy announcer's voice over.]
Announcer V/O: [Image of Brigham Young] Mormon prophet Brigham Young believed that a man ought to have as many wives as he wants. Apparently, Mitt Romney agrees. [Side by side images of Young and Romney] After all, he’s a Mormon. [Upbeat trumpet fanfare as we dissolve to a photo of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kennedy.] Ted Kennedy — One Wife at a Time. …
[Cheers and applause as we dissolve back to Al and Norm at the desk.]
Norm MacDonald: Okay, so Massachusetts, then, is the nation’s dirtiest race.
Al Franken: Oh, no. No, uh, I want you to watch this one. It’s a Huffington ad run in California and the key here is that this is run only on Christian cable stations. Watch this.
[Dissolve to a third ad with photo of Diane Feinstein accompanied by even darker minor key music and an even more snide announcer's voice over.]
Announcer V/O: Diane Feinstein is against prayer in school. And no wonder. She’s a Jew. …
[Dissolve back to Al and Norm at the desk, both shaking their heads.]
Norm MacDonald: Man, that was – that – that was ugly. …
Al Franken: It was ugly. It’s an ugly year. …
Norm MacDonald: Well, that has to be the most unprincipled ad in the country.
Al Franken: You know, that’s what I thought, Norm … I saw this Pataki ad run right here in New York, an attack ad on Governor Cuomo. Let’s watch this.
[Dissolve to a fourth ad, similar to the others, with a photo of Mario Cuomo.]
Announcer V/O: Mario Cuomo says he’s tough on crime. But what Mario Cuomo will not tell you is that in 1968, he was involved in a chainsaw massacre. … [Footage of a chain saw being switched on and someone brutally thrusting the chainsaw into a man's crotch] Cuomo — He’s a Murderer. …
[Cheers and applause as we dissolve back to Al and a stunned Norm.]
Al Franken: That’s – That’s a negative ad. …
Norm MacDonald: Man, well, at least, that’s, uh, that’s the worst one.
Al Franken: Yeah, but, uh, remember, Norm, there’s still two and a half weeks left in the campaign. [grins broadly]
Norm MacDonald: Thanks, Al. Al Franken, ladies and gentlemen! [Cheers and applause, Norm shakes hands with Al]
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Pssst, you know what else I heard about Franken? He’s a member of several twelve-step programs.
The Republican ad quotes Betty McCollum (D-MN) calling Al Franken’s behavior “appalling” and “completely unacceptable.”
However, Betty McCollum is voting for Al Franken:
=====================================================
As I look forward to 2009, I want to be represented in the U.S. Senate by two Minnesota senators who will support and vote to advance our positive, action oriented Democratic agenda to strengthen our economy, keep our nation secure, and invest in our country’s future. That means in this year’s race for the U.S. Senate I will be voting for Al Franken.
This spring I voiced concerns about material from Al’s past career. To have remained silent when asked would have been hypocritical and dishonest. I am confident my concerns have been heard and since then I have watched Al’s campaign take steps to address these matters. Now, I believe Al and his campaign are appropriately focused on building a solid relationship with voters based on our shared Minnesota values, ideals, and hopes for the future.
http://www.mccollumforcongress…..1585FAB%7D
=====================================================
I heard that Al’s smart enough and funny enough and gosh darn it, people like him.
*g*
Oh that Al……….LOVE HIM!
Sorry, that was supposed to be Lynn Cheney.
That skit would be a good a come-back ad for Franken.
Al is a very very dangerous person…he can think on his feet. Repugligans don’t like those thinkers, They cause more trouble by making people laugh about dumb stuff they (Rs) do.
Al Franken. Are you serious?
It would be so much fun to have Al Franken in the senate. Might even make hearings bearable.
Talking points and bullshit smears lose their effectiveness when your opponent learned to think on his feet, backed by a fake brick wall and in front of an audience in their cups.
Norm must feel like he’s in front of George Galloway again.
Any new poll results? Is Al’s lead holding?
OT, live on MSNBC Bill Clinton and Obama together for a campaign appearance (first time).
Wild swings.
Rasmussen has it 43-39 Coleman, but 14 to the indi guy.
Who really knows…
Obama up on TDS.
Bubba’s doing real good too…!
What’s wrong with Clintons nose?
Read somewhere that that happens when his asthma kicks in.
But I may have dreamed it.
now there’s a thought! i like it.
(((selise))) my hearings partner. *g*
OT – from CR:
no way could i listen to them alone!
Morning people. /s
Jon Stewart seemed a little cowed in his Obama interview. Pretty unusual for him.
oh, that reminds me…. i’ll post a short reminder diary in the morning… but just a quick comment now – tomorrow there is one last hearing before tuesday that i think will be interesting. roubini to testify before the JEC on the need for an economic stimulus.
Yep. Getting pretty close to bedtime for me.
Dayam, Galloway schooled them…! And that was in ‘05…!
That was an epic day in the US Senate.
Really good job…Makes the arguement.
No company from me for that, though I would like to. I procrastinated on everything that needed to get done this week, and so must do it all tomorrow. Not that much stuff, but will fill up a lot of the day. “Thank god for the last minute. If it weren’t for that, nothing would ever get done.”
Yeppers, time for us late niters to rule the roost…! *g*
Jane up in the Campaign Silo.
Whoa…
What If Sarah Palin Was Black?
rule rule rule rule the roost … yep that would be the late late niters!!!!
Every point was dead on…! He didn’t pull any punches! Again, that was in ‘05… Where the f*ck is the follow up on the BS…? Sickening…
lol – i can relate to that!
good luck with your chores tomorrow… and one more happy birthday wish sent your way!
Clinton has Rossacia which leads to red nose/face etc — not easy to control
Hey CT!
Still watching Barack and Bill…hey Everyone!
Hey Chris!
Day of rhetoric goes on.
We’ve been steered upstairs…!
Hey Newt,
Still, very interesting watching the body language. Good on Bubba, though.
Ooops!
Thanks. Not cheering. Didn’t know the Star Trib endorsed Coleman.
I’m with you. I love a day of good speechifying.
Selise, if you’re still around and haven’t seen
An Explanation of the ‘Why’ we are in the shape we’re in
The Gopher State needs good representation. So vote for Franken, ya sure.
Well if the Rnsc is half correct on these offenses and what makes one fit for congress.
How about we discuss more in depth the republicans running for offices and their Fitness.
Mark Foley, Larry Craig, David Vitter, Dick Cheney, Tom Delay, Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney, Scooter Libby, Alberto Gonzales, Rummy Rumsfeld.
the hit lists are long and keep on coming.
For past self claimed republican family values guys.