Al Franken, the SNL star who went to become a U.S. senator from Minnesota, will be the keynote speaker this year at the Colorado Democratic Party’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner because he’s good enough, he’s smart enough and doggone it, people like him.
U.S. Sen. Al Franken will headline the Colorado Democratic Party’s Jefferson Jackson dinner this year. (Photo by Jeffrey Thompson/Getty Images)
Franken joins a long line of prominent Democrats who have headlined the annual fundraiser for Colorado Democrats. Other speakers have include U.S. Sen. John Kerry, and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.
But someone should warn Franken: In recent years the dinner has dragged on with lengthy speeches by award winners and the keynote speech has started after 9 and even after 10.
Franken, who grew up in Minnesota, ran for the Senate in 2008, defeating Republican incumbent Norm Coleman by 312 votes after a recount that lasted months. Since then, The Washington Post reports, has worked to “.” He easily won his re-election last year in a tough cycle for fellow Democrats, including .
Franken was one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live and later starred on the award-winning program where one his characters was Stuart Smalley, the sweater wearing, 12-stepping nurturer ,” a professional basketball player. Michael Jordan struggled to keep from laughing. (Full disclosure: I bought his book, “I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! Daily Affirmations By Stuart Smalley” after opening it up to May 14, my birthday, and laughing so hard at the entry a store clerk asked if needed her to call 911.)
at the Marriott City Center in Denver. Among those receiving awards are Congressman Ed Perlmutter of Jefferson County and Secretary of State candidate Joe Neguse.
