Al Franken Cuts the Comedy, Goes for Drama in the Senate

When Al Franken first came to the Senate, he was downright dull -- pledging to represent his state, and not his party; sticking to issues that affect Minnesota; and seemingly suppressing his inner SNL'er to play the straight man at high-profile events like the Sonia Sotomayor hearings. People wanted to know: When will Franken get funny?

But fast-forward a few months and the question seems to be: Where did this guy come from? In the last week, Franken has stepped into the role of fierce populist and Midwestern fighter, the Man from Minnesota willing to mix it up with Republicans to score a point for the Democrats.

Earlier this week, Franken scrapped with John Thune (R-S.D.) on the Senate floor when Thune coolly suggested that Franken might not understand the details of the health care argument he was making. Franken and Thune repeatedly interrupted each other, with Franken ultimately saying to Thune, "I asked you a question, senator. I yielded to you for a question -- I asked you a question!"

Franken went on to tell Thune that senators are entitled to their own opinions, but they're not entitled to their own facts.

On Thursday night, Franken had a moment of supreme awkwardness with Sen. Joe Lieberman as the Connecticut independent rhetorically asked for another minute to finish what he was saying about health care. The tradition of Senate courtesy meant that although any senator can object to a colleague speaking for too long, no one ever does.

"May I have just an additional moment?" Lieberman said, before starting to speak again.

"In my capacity as senator from Minnesota, I object," Franken said with a shrug.

"Really?" said Lieberman, clearly surprised. "I won't take that personally."

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A fellow senator explained that Franken was just trying to keep the floor moving, but Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was furious over the move from his new colleague. "I don't know what's happening here in this body," McCain said. "But I think it's wrong."

The Senate continued its business with Franken presiding over the chamber, but this time, nobody was laughing.