Since winning election to the Minnesota Senate, DFLer Al Franken has downplayed his comedic roots. But during a DFL rally in Rochester on Friday, the senator's get-out-the-vote speech ended with what felt like a stand-up comedy routine, delivered in his classic deadpan style. It began after Franken urged a crowd of DFL volunteers to make sure they don't wake up Nov. 7 with regrets about having not campaigned hard enough in the final four days of the campaign.
"I know some of you have responsibilities. Some of you have families. Ignore them," he said to laughs. "Let me tell you something. This is a fact. An 8-year-old can operate a microwave, OK? Chef Boyardee makes these frozen ravioli things, and you just pop them right in. And kids love nothing more than when their parents leave and they can eat ravioli and watch TV, and that's what kids really love.
And here's another fact — and this is very important. An 8-year-old can teach a 4-year-old to use a microwave. That is a fact. That is a known, known fact. They love it. They love it. Four days is nothing. You can check in on them once over the four days. They'll be just fine."
