Al Franken Forever

Minnesota: when Al Franken comes up for re-election, you'd better elect him in a landslide. Not only is he a policy wonk, able to calm rabid Teabaggers, and talented at drawing maps of the US freakin' freehand, he's a wonderful human being:

I assume it's only a coincidence that Al Franken sent this to me on the day the (aka National EnquirerThe New York Times) splashed a huge, juicy, totally unnewsworthy gossip story about someone's marriage on its front page. (You can't be too careful lest your personal life be turned into fodder for Sunday morning snickering and tut-tutting among the morally superior crowd over croissants and cappuccinos.)

But whatever the reason, I like the letter. Maybe you got one too:

Dear Digby,

When our daughter Thomasin was in the second grade, her teacher asked each student to write a story about how their parents met. So, she came home and asked me how I met her Mom.

I explained that I was at what was known as a freshman 'mixer,' what she knew as a 'dance,' during my first year of college. I saw Franni from across the room. She was organizing some girls to leave and I really liked how she was taking charge, which, in hindsight, is not her best quality... Also, she was just beautiful. So I asked her to dance, and we danced. And then I bought her a ginger ale.

After the dance I escorted her back to her dorm and asked her for a date.

Thomasin wrote the story up with stunning accuracy. She told her class, "...my Dad asked my Mom to dance, bought her a drink, and took her home." Even at a young age, she had a keen grasp of the facts and a real knack for editing.

That night - the first night of the best thing that has ever happened to me - was exactly 40 years ago today. When I was running for the Senate, I used to tell people, "Franni and I are running for the Senate. If we win, I get to be the Senator." Well, we won. And what I said proved true - I get to be the Senator.

Another thing that's true is that I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and support of the most amazing woman in the world.

And, as we start the next chapter of our journey together, I wanted to send supporters like you a note. A funny story from long ago in hopes that you might take a moment today, remember a funny story about someone you love, smile, and be thankful.

All the best,

Al

P.S. Happy Anniversary Franni, I love you!

He's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, people like him!

It's almost enough to make me want to move to Minnesota, just so's I can say he's my Senator.