Honest. Hard working. Hilarious. Humble. Harvard-whip smart.
(and Hey, I can't think of any other
Let's start with 'honest.' Al bends over backward to tell
the reader (me and his loyal constituents in Minnesota) why things happen in DC,
and what he has and has not accomplished. He answers the question: why does
congress fail to serve the American people effectively?
He is 'hard-working'
because...well, ‘who would think’ a comedian could be a senator? (Of course,
our president, as he points out, is another example of ‘who would think’ a
seven time bankrupt businessman, womanizer, narcissist, name-calling liar could
make the 'bully' pulpit his own golden throne? The difference is Al reads
stuff--everything he can get his hands on--and Al knows what the heck he is talking
about.) Simply because he was comedian and is now a senator is what drives Mr.
Franken to prove himself to his colleagues and constituents.
Hilarious--why? Well, as a senator he had to learn that
jokes don't always play well, but as an
author...all bets are off. (Just read
the chapter on Ted Cruz. I will not spoil or steal any of his jokes.) 
His humility is evident in one simple sentence: his devoted
wife of 30+ years made ‘the speech’ (and the admission) that, he admits, got
him elected. He knows he won election by 314 votes--and Frannie helped tip the
scales. (That’s right …314…and it took 8 months to sort it out. I know,
inherently comical.)
As for Harvard, he is very self-depreciating, but clearly,
he is one of the smartest senators in the room; maybe not the most versed in
parliamentary proceedings or protocol, but reading his book helps explain fact
from fantasy (or plain ol' BS) on issues like health care, global warming, etc.
One more thing—he respects and admires his ‘esteemed
colleagues on the other side of the aisle—
and works with them. He cannot
understand why there is not more of that. (Of course, he skewers them when they
deserve it, also known as the Merrick Garland Obstruction decree.)
For me the overriding theme is this: Politicians must do
what is best for all the American people. Politicians must not serve for the
purpose of continuing to win back their seat--but rather to win back the trust
in the people. His votes must be for the greater good and advancement of
humanity (see global warming chapter). He derides the fear mongering and the
zero-sum game that is being played by too many politicians (translation: to win means I get more and you get less--and
if you get nothing, well, too bad.) In the words of Bruce Springsteen, a
non-Minnesotan like me: Nobody wins unless everybody wins.*
(*At least everyone should be given an equal and fair
opportunity to succeed.)
p.s. Al's pictures
are also really funny and the last chapter is heartfelt and poignant.
p.p.s. Dang it, I should have put ‘Heartfelt’ in the
introduction.
p.p.p.s People who think the title of the book “Giant of the
Senate” is egocentric need to look up the term ‘humorous irony.’------------>>
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