Add another Democrat to the long list of ‘potential’ presidential candidates: Former Saturday Night Live comedian Sen. Al Franken could get talked into running, his political associates say.
Franken, who self-mockingly named his latest book ‘Giant of the Senate,’ would run if he was persuaded that he is the best member of his party to take on President Donald Trump.
‘He’s not the type of person to crawl over everyone’s dead carcasses to get to the White House,” former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak and Democratic National Committee vice chairman told The Hill newspaper.
Sen. Al Franken, who self-mockingly named his latest book ‘Giant of the Senate,’ would run if he was persuaded that he is the best member of his party to take on President Donald Trump
Although his spokesman said Franken ‘is not going to run for president in 2020,’ others have posited that a Franken candidacy is no laughing matter.
He has skewered Trump nominees in confirmation hearings, evening getting Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions to issue a statement on his Russia contacts that later proved false (he had them), and has earned a following for his attacks on his rivals.
The Democratic left is certain to hold major sway in the primary, giving a shot to liberal Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others – or someone like Franken should heavyweights stay out.
‘Democrats should take a close look at the story Sen. Franken is telling about his upbringing, why he is a Democrat, and how he ties those those two together,’ Adam Parkhomenko, a die-hard Hillary Clinton fan, told the paper.
BIDEN TIME: Vice President Joe Biden said: ‘Do I regret not being president? Yes’
HAVE YOU GOT A WARREN? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee hearing in the Capitol building on July 19, 2017 in Washington, D.C.
SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) could run again. He turns 76 in September
GOPHER IT!: Another Minnesotan, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, also could run
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) participates in a news conference with Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
THIS COULD GET LOOPY: Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) speaks participate during a news conference with Gov. John Kasich (R-OH)
DON’T CROSS DELANEY: Representative John Delaney, a Democrat from Maryland, has already announced a presidential run
‘LET HIM ANSWER THE QUESTION’: Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., questions former FBI Director James Comey during the Senate Select Intelligence Committee hearing on “Russian Federation Efforts to Interfere in the 2016 U.S. Elections”
Franken joins a raft of potential candidates who might jump in should the circumstances appear inviting.
Vice President Joe Biden may still have the itch, having told the Washington Post this spring, ‘Do I regret not being president? Yes.’
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who weakened Hillary Clinton even though he failed to beat her, could run again. Sanders turns 76 in September.
Even little known candidates are gearing up. Maryland Rep. John Delaney has already announced.
Freshman Sen. Kamala Harris of California got attention during a Russia hearing, and GOP efforts to rein her in only activated party faithful.
Trump capitalized on a crowded field to win the 2016 GOP nomination, as two crowded lanes consisting of conservatives and more moderate alternatives faced off.
Axios reported about plans by Ohio GOP. Gov. John Kasich, the last challenger to drop out against Trump, to continue tours and events with Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper – raising the prospect of a bipartisan challenge. The report says some Democrats are apoplectic about the idea.