Al Franken Gets the Last Laugh

Well the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" took what seemed like 10,000 years, but the Minnesota Supreme Court finally ruled yesterday in a unanimous decision to certify Al Franken's election victory last November. The final margin of victory for Franken was 312 votes out of 2.9 million cast, which translates to a whopping .01%. So, if anyone tells you that your vote doesn't count--they're still probably right, I don't even think I know 312 people, although Facebook tells me otherwise.

Franken's victory now gives the Democrats a 60 vote filibuster-proof majority in the senate, at least theoretically. The very fragile supermajority assumes that the two independents who caucus with the Democrats (Arlen Specter and Joe Lieberman) will actually vote with the Democrats, not to mention the 56 other Democrats, two of whom (Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd) are in poor health. Republicans have traditionally been better at getting their congresspeople to march in lock step with the party agenda, so just how filibuster-proof the Democratic majority turns out to be is, as yet, completely unknown.

Franken, of course, holds the world record for appearances on a Connecticut Forum panel by a senator, most famously sparring with Ann Coulter in 2004, but also participating in A Spoof on Presidential Politics in 1996. Chris Dodd, though, could tie Franken with another appearance.

At any rate, a hearty congratulations to Al Franken from everyone in the Connecticut Forum Family. I think we can all agree that it'll be nice to never have to hear the following again:

CT Forum Family Reflects on Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Judge Sotomayor is a highly qualified and historic nominee who would bring extensive legal experience and a unique perspective to the Court. Senator Chris Dodd

I suspect her Catholicism may come in for a theocon inquisition. I don't like her affirmative action views, but I've always taken the view that a president gets wide lee-way in this kind of appointment. I see no good reason to oppose her - and some real perils for the GOP if they beat up on a brilliant and self-made Latina on SCOTUS. They must know the country they purport to want to govern. Andrew Sullivan

If confirmed, Sotomayor will be the third Yale law grad on the Supreme Court. The other two: Thomas and Alito. Arianna Huffington

Now that President Obama has wisely chosen Judge Sotomayor as his first nominee to the Supreme Court, I suppose I should let the cat out of the bag: I have been rooting for her all along. Not only because I know her, but because everything I know about her suggests that she will be a fantastic justice. Stephen L Carter

I want to congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her history-making nomination to the Supreme Court. Confirming a Supreme Court Justice is among the most important responsibilities the Senate has, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I look forward to joining my colleagues as we examine Judge Sotomayor’s qualifications carefully before confirmation. However, it is already clear that President Obama has chosen a remarkable jurist with an impressive record of accomplishment and a life story with which working families can identify. Senator-Elect Al Franken

"White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw..." Newt Gingrich

"Experience is everything. You want richness and diversity on the Supreme Court," Carville said. "She has a life experience she brings." James Carville

Como una latina joven, yo siento increiblemente orgullosa. Este nominancion refuerza el hecho de que nosotros estamos en una era nueva de cambio en este pais. El juez Sotomayor es una mujer de calidad y sustancia que fija un ejemplo perfecto para la gente joven por todas personas- pero especialmente para latinas. Ella es un ejemplo perfecto de alguien que vino nada y hecho en algo. Ella es un recuerdo a mi que el cielo es el limito.

How do I feel about the nomination of the first Latina U.S. Supreme Court Justice by the first African American president? As a young Latina, I feel incredibly proud. This nomination reinforces the fact that we're in a new era of change in this country. Judge Sotomayor is a woman of quality and substance who sets a perfect example for young people everywhere - but especially for Latinas. She's a perfect example of someone who came from nothing and made herself into something. She's a reminder to me that the sky's the limit. Jasmine Lopez, Age 21, CT YOUTH Forum Program Associate

Behind the Scenes of Food for Thought with Anthony Bourdain and Duff Goldman

Backstage at The Bushnell, there is a very small room that holds the signatures of the very big names that have graced the stage there. Ray Charles, Walter Cronkite, Al Franken, Carol Channing, Bernadette Peters, and hundreds more, including a slew of Forum panelists, have all signed their John Hancock on these walls.

Food for Thought panelists Anthony Bourdain and Duff Goldman couldn't resist!

Anthony accompanied his name with a bloody knife...

and Duff cheered it up with some hearts and smiley faces.


Stay tuned all week for more behind the scenes photos and stories
from Food for Thought!

Former CT Forum Panelists in the News

Former Forum panelists Al Franken and Ann Coulter have been in the news a lot lately for different reasons - Franken has just been declared the winner following a recount in the Minnesota Senate race, and Coulter is promoting a new book.

Let's journey back a few years and see what these two headliners had to say to one another in a most memorable Forum...