Barring the intercession of the courts, it appears all but certain now that the state’s new U.S. senator will be Al Franken. I have never been sure how to refer to Franken’s pre-candidate career. Radio commentator? TV personality? Comedian? Author? It’s not subject to an easy sound bite. But one thing is for sure — he’s no lawyer.
Thus, for the first time since Amy Klobuchar joined the U.S. Senate two years ago (replacing department store heir Mark Dayton), it appears that one of Minnesota’s senators will be a non-lawyer. Ironically, this happens at a time when lawyers are returning to the White House. Hearkening back to the days of the Clinton Administration, once again both the incoming president and first lady will soon be card-carrying members of a state bar.
Being a lawyer can certainly help in politics, where argumentation can be a way of life. However, Franken is not a shrinking violet and few doubt he will make his opinions known in the Senate and or elsewhere. Certainly a number of trial lawyers in town supported Franken’s candidacy, but safe to say that was more about his staunch DFL credentials than his lack of a law license.
Perhaps the most interesting question is whether Norm Coleman will dust off his law license if the recount tally stands. Maybe a cushy “of counsel” job with a Twin Cities law/lobbying firm? Prior to his stint as mayor of St. Paul, Coleman was the #2 man in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, but I somehow doubt an invitation to return to that office will be forthcoming from current AG Lori Swanson.
In any case, I don’t expect Coleman is ready for his political epitaph to be written quite yet. Even if Coleman doesn’t want to go back to the law, he will still need to do something to bide his time and bring in some green stuff until the next election cycle comes around if he is, in fact, now joining the pantheon of former Minnesota senators. Hmmm. Does he know how to drive a bus?
