Republicans are upset by the impending appearance of Al Franken in the Senate. Posters over at www.freerepublic.com claim Minnesota has become a laughingstock of the country, first having voted a pro-wrestler as Governor and now a comedian as Senator. The Wall Street Journal denounces the recounts as illegal, even though the state law made them automatic. From what I have observed the recounts have been as transparent as any I've seen over the last three decades. Franken will probably prevail. But the question remains about the role of comedians in our political system.
Comedians are probably the most serious people around. What better group to have as politicians? Al Franken I can do without. But let's look back at some missed opportunities. Hey, Ho Steverino. Steve Allen, the original Tonight Show host, was a jazz musician, a composer, author of countless books and a genuine humorist. A Rennaissance man, he would have been a superb Senator. Jayne Meadows would have played the political spouse superbly. Johnny Carson--probably the most trusted man after Walter Cronkite--would have brought his Midwestern commonsense to bear on the office. As Dave Letterman proved this year," the road to the White House ran through this studio". After John McCain snubbed Letterman, he never regained a lead in the polls and lost Indiana, Letterman's home state. Letterman could probably beat Dick Lugar at this moment.
Steve Martin has the brainpower but is probably too existential for the Senate. Jack Parr would have been too maudlin for the office. Woody Allen too grim. Robin Williams too flighty.
From Animal House, we learned John Belushi's destiny. When Senator Stevens, recently convicted for bribery, gave his farewell speech to the Senate, he received a standing ovation and Harry Reid said of him,"he has the courage of a lion." Don't say the Senate isn't the place for comedians.
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