Comedian Al Franken announced today that he's running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Norm Coleman.
Franken did not say, as his SNL character Stuart Smalley once did, "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And gosh darn it, people like me."
But Franken probably will at least once during the campaign.
And a couple of questions: Can a comedian like Franken be taken seriously enough to win a U.S. Senate seat? And can he win in Minnesota, a state that has elected a conservative, Coleman, and a lib, Paul Wellstone, in recent years?
Blast away.
Posted by Steve Kraske
Hey, if Minnesota can elect former pro "wrestler" Jesse ("The Body") Ventura as governor, anything can happen.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 03:22 PM
You kiddin' me? If he runs and loses, at least the dialogue will be witty.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 03:23 PM
You kiddin' me? If he runs and loses, at least the dialogue will be witty.
Hey, someone said The Star is charging to blog. True?
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 03:25 PM
3:25,
Did you pay? If you didn't pay, they must not be charging.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 03:36 PM
The Republican who's office he is running for is a real jerk. Franken is smart and will run a good campaign.
Posted by: John Evans | February 14, 2007 at 03:36 PM
WARREN G. HARDING SHOULD RUN AGAINST NORM COLEMAN!
Posted by: Warren G. Harding | February 14, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Al Franken is extremely bright and informed, but he's an arrogant tool and I hope he gets owned in the primaries (hopefully we don't have to choose between him and Worm Coleman in 2008). Does anyone remember the interview Steve Kraske did with him when Al actually took a phone call on the air? What a prick!!! I listen to Air America quite a bit, and his arrogance has grown immensely since the network started. He's horrible to his co-hosts (probably why Katherine Lanpher left). Plus, he's really not all that funny without someone like her to reel him in. And, he's terrible on TV interviews.
Posted by: Marvin | February 14, 2007 at 03:51 PM
3:36 that post got away from me. I meant at the NEW website.
On another thread ("Oops, we're not there yet"), poster 9:52 said some of the site is pay only.
I'll check myself. But if it's true that people will need to pay to read certain pieces, I agree with 9:52 that it didn't work too well for the NYT, and it won't work for The Star either. But The Star may not care if hits drop, as long as they bring in SOME dough. We shall see.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 03:53 PM
I wonder if he will be ask about his cocaine use like
Bush??
Posted by: JAMES | February 14, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Marvin, I picked up on Al Franken's arrogance. Maybe he's not running to win, maybe he's running to bring in coin, like Pat Buchanan.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 04:12 PM
"Can a comedian like Franken be taken seriously enough to win a U.S. Senate seat?"
Al Franken can't be taken seriously about anything. The only scary thing is that some nutbags may actually vote for him.
And before I get some hate from you libs, I don't think Rush can be taken seriously either.
Posted by: craig | February 14, 2007 at 04:55 PM
No Craig, he'll be used to let off steam. Like Rush.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 05:09 PM
It sure is interesting how "arrogance" is now a quality that offends the sensibilities of our good Republicans.
I wonder if they are equally offended by the smirks of Bush.
Posted by: Old Drum | February 14, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Easy ole Drum. You don't know my party affiliation.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 05:18 PM
"I wonder if they are equally offended by the smirks of Bush."
Leader of the free world.
Unsuccessful radio personality who once played a baggage handler that made faces at a gorilla.
Who has more reason to be arrogant?
Posted by: craig | February 14, 2007 at 05:22 PM
Craig, you forgot DRUNKEN baggage handler.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 06:06 PM
George W. Bush is no 'leader'
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Okay, so Franken once PLAYED a drunk CHARACTER. Better than BEING a drunkard like Dubya admits to having been for much of his adult life.
I hope Franken wins solely because of what the reaction my right-wing friends would have to such an event. What would it say of the state of the GOP and its decided demise if their candidate couldn't even win against a B-list comic best known as Stuart Smalley? That would ALMOST be as bad as running against Dubya and losing. Almost, but not quite.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 06:20 PM
How many US lives has Franken's arrogance cost us?
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 06:21 PM
"I hope Franken wins solely because of what the reaction my right-wing friends would have to such an event."
So you would like to weaken America just to get a laugh at the expense of your friends. Sounds like you got your priorities straight.
and anon @6:06, thanks for the correction.
Posted by: craig | February 14, 2007 at 06:41 PM
Does that mean I have to buy a SUV and vote Repub in order to "protect America"???
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 11:14 PM
My priorities are fine; just like those of millions of "Americans" that voted in a new House and Senate.
Posted by: | February 14, 2007 at 11:16 PM
I think Stewart Smalley's senate campaign will be as successful as his radio network.
Posted by: RWC | February 15, 2007 at 07:17 AM
Franken in the U.S. Senate? Sure. At least Franken admits he's a clown. He'll fit right in. When he gets on C-Span, talking to an empty room in the middle of the night, I'll watch. Franken is funny and HE does it on purpose.
Posted by: thinkfirst | March 10, 2007 at 08:09 AM
Help wanted in Missouri spreading the word and yes a few good lawyers!
For Immediate Release March 20, 2007:
For Immediate Release via World Wide Web
Contact: Steven Reed
E-mail: stevenlloydreed@hotmail.com
Website: www.reedforcouncil.com
Re: Possible Election Tampering in Missouri USA
Statement: Please find two motions filed in Federal Court concerning elections issues in Springfield, Missouri.
March 2, 2007
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
SOUTHERN DIVISION
STEVEN L. REED, )
) `
Plaintiff )
v. )
) Case No. 05-3133-CV-S-SWH
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, )
INC. d/b/a CLARION HOTEL, et.al, )
Defendants )
PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST FOR COURT ORDERED INJUNCTIONS
COMES NOW Plaintiff Steven Reed request the Court and United States
Magistrate Judge SARAH W. HAYES issue two Injunctions concerning the following
situations:
Plaintiff has worked on “community projects” in southwest Missouri since the
early 1990s to present. From getting Rail Passenger Service to the area to working to get
a Technology Park for better opportunities to many other community projects to help
others. See: www.reedforcouncil.com Because of the importance of these issues
Plaintiff Steven Reed has Filed as an Official Declaration of Intent to be a Write-in
Candidate for Mayor of Springfield with Richard T. Struckoff County Clerk the top
Election Authority for Greene County which oversees the Springfield Missouri Municipal
Elections.
The first requested injunction is to Richard Struckoff the Top Election Official for
Greene County which oversees the Springfield Missouri Municipal Elections and the
City of Springfield. The injunction will say all votes cast for Steven Reed as a Write-in
Candidate for Mayor in the April 3, 2007 election will be counted.
Background
The City Charter does not address the issues of a write-in and there is clearly no
prohibition of write in candidates. State law should give precedent to this situation.
Springfield City Attorney Dan Wichmer says that the City Charter does not allow write-
in candidates. The facts are that the city charter does not speak to write-in candidates so
state law which allows write-in candidates should be the proper decider since State Law
Supersedes local but especially when local law is silent on issues of such legal
Importance to the People.
Chapter 115 Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections
Section 115.453 August 28, 2006 Procedure for counting votes for candidates.
115.453. Election judges shall count votes for all candidates in the following
manner: (4) Write-in votes shall be counted only for candidates for election to
office who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election
to office with the proper election authority….
It is a violation of Plaintiff Steven Reed’s civil, human, and constitutional rights
not to allow him to run as a write in candidate. It appears the City of Springfield is
concerned about the possibility of this pending civil action attracting some attention.
That is why Plaintiff Steven Reed is seeking relief from this court.
As noted in the February 2, 2007 PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST FOR COURT
ORDERED PRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE filed with this court: Plaintiff Reed has
been arrested several times:
“Plaintiff Steven Reed was arrested on election day for handing out flyers in
support of a state minimum wage increase,(the Lady Judge dropped the case but
Reed and another lady was placed on one year probation)…. Plaintiff Reed was
arrested in 2000 for doing volunteer voter registration while then Vice
Presidential Candidate Joseph Lieberman visited Southwest Missouri State
University. Plaintiff Reed was then arrested in 2003 for handing out Draft Claire
McCaskill for Governor flyers, (that concerns this case). In all
these case Plaintiff Reed was placed on a one year probation…
Secondly, Plaintiff Reed argues it is about more than just his candidacy. It is
also about the fact that other people may want to file right now for write in
positions on city council. One example is a candidate that has pending charges and
others may want to run as a write in that zone for city council, of course if
a candidate or someone where to pass away the people need to have the right to file as a
write in.
With over 150,000 people living in the City of Springfield with over half
being registered voters the people should all have the write THE RIGHT OF
SUFFRAGE and being able to vote for additional candidates in this or other
Elections. The City of Springfield elections have around 10% turnout and the City
should be promoting more candidates and involvement rather than using tax payer
money to keep people from running for office.
The second requested injunction request is to Secretary of State of Missouri Robin
Carnahan requiring that as the Chief Election Official of Missouri she will make sure all
elections laws are adhered to in all 118 counties and in Greene County. In Christian
County the Clerk says she understands that write-in candidates are allowed by state law.
In Taney County the current Mayor has made national news as he is currently running as
a write-in candidate against a lady who is on the ballot. Clearly election laws must be
applied on a consistent and equal basis. The Secretary of State is responsible to take
actions against a local election official if they were violating a state law in
the way they are performing their taxpayer paid position of serving the people with fair,
and legal elections.
In conclusion Plaintiff Steven Reed ask that the court notify the Department of
Justice since HAVA money does help pay some of the salaries of the people who work
under Richard Struckoff.
Certificate of Service---I certify that on _____________ a true copy of the above was mailed, postage pre paid or electronically to the last known mailing address of each party to this lawsuit.
Steven L. Reed
Respectfully submitted,
Steven L. Reed _________________________________________________
Steven L. Reed, Plaintiff Pro Se
Signed and dated February 2, 2007
1441 S. Estate Avenue
Springfield MO 65804
(417) 368-1481
stevenlloydreed@hotmail.com
David R. Wichmer, Esq.
City Attorney
City of Springfield
840 Boonville
Springfield, MO 65802
Attorney for the Defendants City of Springfield, MO, Springfield MO Police Department, and John and Jane Does
John W. Housley, Esq.
Attorney for Defendant Gail M. Campbell
Taylor, Stafford, Clithero, Fitzgerald & Harris, LLP
3315 E. Ridgeview, Suite 1000
Springfield, MO 65804
John G. Schultz
2100 Commerce Tower
911 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Attorneys for Defendant Choice Hotels
Also an attempt to e-mail the following is hereby completed on this date:
Steven Lloyd Reed stevenlloydreed@hotmail.com
Warren E. Harris wharris@taylorstafford.com, jyoung@taylorstafford.com
John W. Housley jhousley@lowtherjohnson.com
Thomas E. Rykowski trykowsk@ci.springfield.mo.us, ttreat@ci.springfiled.mo.us
John G. Schultz franke.schultz@micro.com
Warren S. Stafford wstafford@taylorstafford.com
Daniel R. Wichmer dwichmer@ci.springfield.mo.us
Carl Stephen Yendes cyendes@ci.springfield.mo.us
###
March 9, 2007
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
SOUTHERN DIVISION
STEVEN L. REED, )
) `
Plaintiff )
v. )
) Case No. 05-3133-CV-S-SWH
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, )
INC. d/b/a CLARION HOTEL, et.al, )
Defendants )
PLAINTIFF'S ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR COURT ORDERED INJUNCTIONS
COMES NOW Plaintiff Steven Reed ask that the following request to the Court
and United States Magistrate Judge SARAH W. HAYES issue two Injunctions
concerning the following situations be added as additional reasons why the City of
Springfield Missouri, USA must under law allow write in candidates for City Council and
the Mayor Race on April 3, 2007:
Plaintiff believed a few months ago that the City of Springfield does not have that
much of a gang problem. But after going door to door in the last several weeks it has
became clear there is a growing gang problem. Plaintiff says that seeing neighborhoods
over the last five to ten years and seeing them now is upsetting. Older homes and
families are starting a down hill slide. Some areas are even having the homes torn down
after they are hit with graffiti.
Plaintiff believes one reason the City should support the Technology Park issue of
new innovations concerning new companies and jobs of the future. Plaintiff believes the
City should work to bring better Paying Jobs to the area is that some people are more apt
to get into the drug trade or involved with gangs if they and their family have money
problems.
Plaintiff Steven Reed says it is upsetting to go into north Springfield and go down
one street with big fancy buildings that say federal property no trespassing and millions
of dollars of military equipment like humbies. All that fire power to fight wars around
the world and a few blocks away at night gangs are moving around. Governor Matt
Blunt should call up the National Guard for 30 days to weed the bad elements out. The
Governor had called out the Guard during the ice storm.
Clearly the current Mayor and City Council do not seem to be taking the issue
very serious. I.E. many others think we have a major growing problem and allowing
anyone who wants to run for office should be something that gets addressed “ahead of
everything else the government has to do on the local, state, or national” level argues
Plaintiff Reed. Also we do not have a real economic plan on a national level and very
little on the state level. So the citizens of Springfield should have the right to vote and
run for office to try and change their destiny and future. Which is the main pillar our
nation stands on.
Certificate of Service---I certify that on _____________ a true copy of the above was mailed, postage pre paid or electronically to the last known mailing address of each party to this lawsuit.
Steven L. Reed
Respectfully submitted,
Steven L. Reed _________________________________________________
Steven L. Reed, Plaintiff Pro Se
Signed and dated February 2, 2007
1441 S. Estate Avenue
Springfield MO 65804
(417) 368-1481
stevenlloydreed@hotmail.com
David R. Wichmer, Esq.
City Attorney
City of Springfield
840 Boonville
Springfield, MO 65802
Attorney for the Defendants City of Springfield, MO, Springfield MO Police Department, and John and Jane Does
John W. Housley, Esq.
Attorney for Defendant Gail M. Campbell
Taylor, Stafford, Clithero, Fitzgerald & Harris, LLP
3315 E. Ridgeview, Suite 1000
Springfield, MO 65804
John G. Schultz
2100 Commerce Tower
911 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Attorneys for Defendant Choice Hotels
Also an attempt to e-mail the following is hereby completed on this date:
Steven Lloyd Reed stevenlloydreed@hotmail.com
Warren E. Harris wharris@taylorstafford.com, jyoung@taylorstafford.com
John W. Housley jhousley@lowtherjohnson.com
Thomas E. Rykowski trykowsk@ci.springfield.mo.us, ttreat@ci.springfiled.mo.us
John G. Schultz franke.schultz@micro.com
Warren S. Stafford wstafford@taylorstafford.com
Daniel R. Wichmer dwichmer@ci.springfield.mo.us
Carl Stephen Yendes cyendes@ci.springfield.mo.us
###
Posted by: Steven Reed | March 23, 2007 at 06:11 PM