The (Mostly) Serious Senator

The Washington Post profiles Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) “spent four decades building a comedic franchise across the popular culture — Saturday Night Live writer and actor; best-selling political satirist; partisan radio blowhard. He has spent the past five years shedding his clown costume, realizing, practically from Day One, that it was a liability for a senator. Since taking his seat in the summer of 2009, he has tamped down his scorn for Republicans, dialed back the irony and hyperbole, and strived to fit in with his fellow gentlemen and ladies in the august chamber.”