Al Franken talks Ukraine, the Senate and American politics on “The Takeout”

This week, comedian and previous U.S. Senator Al Franken joins main Washington correspondent and “Takeout” host Major Garrett to explore his ongoing comedy tour, the point out of American politics (and comedy), and the war in Ukraine. 

The previous Minnesota senator also discusses his resignation from the Senate in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations and his reflections now on that chapter in his profession. 

This episode was recorded on April 28, 2022.

Highlights

• Sexual misconduct allegations and resignation from the Senate: “I should be a senator. What happened was just a thing very odd at a certain second. And you know I have experienced nine of my former colleagues apologize to me publicly for — all I needed was because of approach, and they came to realize that, and I’ve had a number of apologize to me not publicly. I haven’t forgiven them… I believe that I must still be there and I think if I had gotten because of process, I would.”
• Biden administration’s dealing with of Ukraine war: “I think Biden is performing about as a lot as he can. I imagine he did an awesome work placing this coalition collectively. I assume that he took some risks in undertaking that. He introduced some of our intelligence pretty early, earlier than you normally do, indicating that they’re going to invade. And he did that early ample so that they were in a position to commence placing sanctions together. It normally takes a even though to place sanctions together. And so by the time the–the invasion started, they were–they experienced a deal of sanctions in spot. It took a while to get everyone to agree to every thing, and it is really developed. But I think he is finished a wonderful task.”
• Ukraine war and midterm elections: “It may well essentially have an affect on the midterms, however. You know, ideal now it is really on the lookout undesirable, the midterms for Democrats. But my argument to Democrats particularly is that you will find a good deal of time to go just before November… In June, a couple of matters are heading to take place. One, we’re heading to have the hearings on the January 6th Pick Committee. Jamie Raskin just said it is going to blow the roof off the dwelling. I believe persons, People in america, I have this minimal key, they like television and the hearings will be on television…I feel there’s going to be some really effective things. And I- I do imagine that Americans, you know, the Republican Bash has just develop into this anti-Democratic social gathering.”
• “Woke” America and comedy: “I think it has a chilling influence on comedy. I know a ton of standups who is not going to go to colleges…the comedians that I often- that I grew up admiring ended up individuals like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin and Dick Gregory. Folks who had been- would use- would examine the edge of offending persons. And that- what folks I imagine comprehended that then and that was a beneficial thing…You know, all you will need is a modest proportion of folks on campus to trigger a stink or a ruckus. And so it doesn’t- we are not talking about always 95% of pupils. You know, and so it is just I think it is far too bad…”

Executive producer: Arden Farhi

Producers: Jamie Benson, Jacob Rosen, Sara Cook dinner and Eleanor Watson

CBSN Output: Eric Soussanin 
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