Sen. Al Franken is good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like him

By Richard K. Barry

According to Public Policy Polling, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken (and former "funny man") looks to be in good shape for reelection in 2014. I love that term "funny man." Anyway, Al's numbers look good. PPP finds that 52% of Minnesota voters approve of him, while 41% disapprove. 

On top of that, his chances are improved by the fact that the potential GOP field is so pathetic.

One thing that may help Franken's reelection chances, on top of his own popularity, is the weak Republican bench in the state. The top choice of GOP voters in Minnesota to take on Franken is Michele Bachmann. 45% say they would like her to be their candidate with no one else even coming close- John Kline is at 19%, Chip Cravaack at 13%, Erik Paulsen at 11%, Laura Brod at 4%, and Rich Stanek at 2%. Bachmann fares equally strongly with voters in the party who identify as 'very conservative' (46%), 'somewhat conservative' (45%), and moderate (also 45%).

The problem with Bachmann, as they point out, is that she does the worst of anyone they tested against Franken, "trailing him 54/40, including a 50/39 deficit with independents." 

So, Sen. Franken might be among the less vulnerable Democratic Senators next time out. I wonder if reelection might help him find his famous sense of humour, something he has so clearly put in storage since coming to Washington.