Al Franken for New York Senate?

[Tomconroy]

Since moving to the Upper West Side in New York earlier this year, AL FRANKEN has been sounding out confidantes about primarying his nemesis Sen. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-N.Y.) in 2024, multiple sources tell Playbook.

The former Senator from Minnesota fueled speculation when he told the New York Times a month ago, “I am keeping my options open,” when asked about running for Senate in New York.

But according to his spokesperson, those options do not include taking on Gillibrand.

Franken declined to comment by phone when we asked about his interest in primarying Gillibrand. He referred us to his spokeswoman, ALEXANDRA FETISSOFF, who said “he has no intention of running for Senate.”

https://www.politico.com/playbook

[FarPoint]

1. I really really like this idea...

I feel burnt by Gillibrand.

[a kennedy]

5. Could he do that?? I mean aren't there living in a State restrictions?? Carpetbagger status??

I want him back in the Senate so bad and if it’s possible in another State, then so be it. New York is as good as any.

[FoxNewsSucks]

10. That's the same thing that was said about Hillary Clinton

It would be up to Franken to meet any residency requirement and connect to NewYorkers. That's why Clinton went on her "listening tour".

[The Wizard]

16. And Robert Kennedy, and (fill in the blank)

[FoxNewsSucks]

17. Willard Rmoney too

He voted in Massachussetts from his son's basement address after being governor, lived in San Diego in a fancy mansion with a car elevator, and I guess had a mansion somewhere in Utah so he went there to get his fellow Mormons to elect him Senator.

It's pretty common.

[Bucky]

49. Across Andrew Giuliani's 5 decades of political experience, we've seen this many times

If the public is willing to elect to a representative, it should be considered a legitimate option.

That said, it's probably a bad idea to primary a fellow Dem over such a small political difference. Too much like Kennedy opposing Markey last year. Ambition wasting everybody's time & money.

[Retrograde]

11. If he moved to New York in 2021 and runs in 2024

Franken will have been a New York state resident longer than RFK was when he ran in 1964.

I don't think he should run after giving up a previous seat, but it does seem like he'll meet the residency requirements.

[pandr32]

2. He was an excellent senator

It would be nice to see him back and show those who set him up that you really can't keep a good man down.

[gldstwmn]

3. I wouldn't be mad at him.

[Tomconroy]

4. Run Al, Run!!!

[carpetbagger]

6. Sounds like typical right wing reporting to stir up the pot.

New York could do far better than Gillibrand, but the IDC/Cuomo era political structure has been a strong headwind.

[SharonClark]

7. Shit stirring by Politico.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. Lol I'll be glad when people stop trying to make this happen.

[Celerity]

19. the OP misleadingly altered the title, which actually says: Franken rules out run against Gillibrand

[WhiskeyGrinder]

20. As I say.

[Tomconroy]

22. Everyone says they aren't running until they announce

they are running. I believe the reporting that he is making inquiries.

[Celerity]

25. No, you altered the title to give a false impression, and now you are spinning again. EOS

I believe the reporting that he is making inquiries.

[Tomconroy]

26. Now it's you who left something out.

[Celerity]

29. I directly snapshotted the article w/ relevant parts directly from his camp that refute your claims

[Celerity]

27. again you're giving a false impression by now changing what the article says

I believe the reporting that he is making inquiries.

[Tomconroy]

28. I'm counting the days until Al declares!

[Celerity]

30. hope you can count very high nt

[FoxNewsSucks]

12. It would be just and fitting for him to replace Gillibrand

But there are Democratic Senators I'd rather see him replace. They're not from NY, however, so I'd be glad to see Franken back in the Senate wherever he's living.

[brooklynite]

14. Dems in Disarray!!!

Oh, wait. We LIKE Politico talking about conflicts between Democrats as long it matches our opinion?

I respect Al Franken's political judgement, which will tell him that Gillibrand is a popular NY Senator who isn't going to be at risk despite some activist bloggers blaming her for Franken's resignation

[PoliticAverse]

15. "he has no intention of running for Senate."

If he actually wanted to run again, he'd be doing it in Minnesota.

[Celerity]

18. why did you alter (in a very misleading way) the title? Franken rules out run against Gillibrand

dodgy move m8

[PufPuf23]

21. Good point. Looked at the link after your earlier post.

Catchy idea but why sow confusion in the manner of the OP?

IMO Franken made a mistake to resign and the charges against Franken appeared weak and within party strife.

Wish Franken was still an active pol.

[Tomconroy]

23. The I am sure accurate story is that he is making inquiries.

That's why! Run Al, Run!

[Totally Tunsie]

24. Wonder how Franken would feel about living in Arizona?

[yellowdogintexas]

34. Wish he would. I think he would mop up the floor with Synema

and would be able to take out any Republican nominee. JMHO

[brooklynite]

36. How would Arizona feel about Franken?

[Totally Tunsie]

39. Well, they managed to elect Sinema.

[AZProgressive]

42. I personally wouldn't want Franken

I also like Gillibrand which makes me different than most DUers. Rueben Gallego seems good enough for me to replace Sinema.

[Dorian Gray]

56. I like Gallego a lot

Does he have a chance in AZ?

I also like Gillibrand, which isn't a popular position here on DU. But as a NY legislator, she's good.

[Drunken Irishman]

31. Gillibrand has a 74% approval among NY Democrats...

Even if the article you linked to didn't specifically say he wasn't running, his running likely would be a struggle as back in March, Gillibrand had a very high approval rating among NY Democrats.

Hard to believe it's dropped much over the last few months.

https://morningconsult.com/2021/03/25/cuomo-schumer-gillibrand-approval-rating/

[brooklynite]

32. Additionally, what issue would he run on that would differentiate him from Gillibrand?

[OnDoutside]

41. Sincerity and decency would be the obvious differences ?

[brooklynite]

44. New Yorkers don't see Gillibrand as insincere and indecent....

[OnDoutside]

51. That's a surprise.

[brooklynite]

52. Why?

She's an effective fighter and voter for things New Yorkers care about. One of the things they don't care about (outside of a handful of activists and bloggers) is "blame" for Franken deciding to leave. (most people DON'T care about elected officials who aren't theirs).

[Dorian Gray]

58. Only to you.

I agree with Brooklynite here. NYers like Gillibrand.

[Dorian Gray]

57. Right

I know DU has a lot of resentment against Gillibrand bc she's seen as responsible for Franken resigning his senate seat, but she polls well in NY State and she is way more liked here than this board would lead us to believe.

I don't think that would be an easy run for him. (And I don't think he'd do it unless she left the senate to work in the admin.)

[LakeArenal]

61. Al should be in the Administration. Certainly not her.

She may be popular there but she isn’t anywhere else.

[Dorian Gray]

64. Okay

I'd be cool with that. The thread was about him running for her Senate seat, though, and I didn't think he'd do it unless she wasn't running for it again.

[Tomconroy]

33. I think it's significant that Al declined to say anything when

asked by a reporter about running. He referred the reporter to his spokesperson who didn't say Al wasn't running, but did say that he had no intention of running. Intentions can change (to coin a phrase) in a New York minute!

[demmiblue]

35. This is stupid. Trash thread. n/t

[jcmaine72]

37. Al Franken needs to be uncanceled and redeemed.

What was done to him was an absolute travesty. He should still be serving in the Senate.

[DFW]

38. So far, though he misses the Senate, Al has not been interested in returning there

While he misses the Senate terribly, there are still way too many Senators there that he does NOT miss. It would take a LOT more apologies--sincere ones, I might add, and he can tell the difference--from him to even have interest in that, much less a desire to open a serious campaign, no matter from what state.

Something could always happen that might make him change his mind, but so far, so such "thing" has presented itself. He was toying with the idea of Governor of Minnesota for a while, but I don't know if he wants to tie himself up in St. Paul after having been such a national figure. He told me he'd LIKE to have another shot at elective office, but he just couldn't think of one he'd like to try for, and this was almost two years ago.

[LakeArenal]

46. Yes it's convenient to blame just Gillibrand...

But the others sealed the deal.

The only thing some of those Senators are beloved, so no blame is allowed to fall on them.

[DFW]

54. Al doesn't blame just Gillibrand, of course.

He is smart enough to know who was rubbing their hands at the shot of a „morally superior“ free ride, and I‘m telling you right now I would probably be hounded (or booted) off DU if I were to tell some of the stuff pulled by some Senators we respect and admire. Al has kept most of it to himself, and there sure are no „links“ where one go to confirm or deny. You were either there (or are friends with someone who was), or you weren‘t.

Some have apologized. Bill Nelson, who later got replaced by (t)Rick Scott, Jon Tester, Sheldon Whitehouse are no secrets, and there were others. But MOST, not just some, of the Senators who piled on Al to resign are still too embarrassed, too proud, too cowardly or too cynical to admit that they jumped on a bandwagon for no other reason than it seemed like they would miss out on something if they didn‘t. This includes all serving Democratic Senators who ran for president in the last election, by the way.

[betsuni]

59. +1

[LakeArenal]

60. Funny how many of those went and ran for president.

[DFW]

62. All of whom were not nominated for president, incidentally.

Some unkind observations and revelations come to mind, but I will just leave it at that.

[LakeArenal]

65. I have said them on here and paid the price.

[Tommymac]

40. This thread needs to go as it is written. Inaccurate bull shit. DU is better then this.

Trashing.

[Celerity]

63. +100000

[Tomconroy]

43. Al recently moved to NYC. He still has an interest in political

office and apparently has decided that if he has a political future it will be in New York. I doubt if having been a Senator he has any interest in becoming a Congressman. That leaves Governor next year or Senator in 2024. So he's making some inquiries about the Senate and that's big news!

[tritsofme]

45. I'll take "Things that are never going to happen" for $500

[themaguffin]

47. I want him in the Senate, but that wouldn't helpful

[JI7]

48. Politico BS

[Bucky]

50. He might n be a good replacement once Chuck Schumer retires

Senators serve way way way too long as is.

I'd favor a 12 year time limit on Congressional terms. Especially if it was enforced along with spending, lobbying, and donation reforms.

[brooklynite]

53. Just a guess, but a white male doesn't seem likely to be the next choice.

Plus Tish James will need a gig after she loses the Governor's race.

[tritsofme]

55. Franken and Schumer are the same age.

I doubt he will get that opportunity.