By: Politico

British actor Peter Ustinov once said: “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.” But here in Minnesota, where Republican Sen. Norm Coleman is facing a challenge by comedian Al Franken, Coleman’s campaign has a message for his opponent: We don’t get it.

For months, the Coleman camp has pushed dozens of talking points against Franken’s candidacy, with a singular thread that ties them together: Not only is Franken’s comedy not funny, it also is demeaning and mean-spirited and proves he lacks the temperament to hold public office.

Citing what they call Franken’s crude and vulgar comments about women, the Coleman campaign argues that the satirist’s satire is nothing of the sort, but in fact reflects his true nature. And that, they say, should disqualify him from representing affable, kindhearted Minnesotans.

On the flip side, Franken, a best-selling humorist who became famous for making people laugh on “Saturday Night Live” — and who made a comeback on Sept. 20, when he helped pen a skit trashing presidential hopeful John McCain — originally used his career in comedy to boost his political fortunes and increase his popularity with Minnesotans, who, like their Norwegian ancestors, favor a dry sense of humor. Franken used his life in comedy as a résumé-builder, declaring that he hasn’t been a career politician like his opponent, who is perhaps best-known for his efforts to revitalize St. Paul as the city’s mayor.

In fact, both campaigns have tackled issues such as the war in Iraq, health care and education. But like the awkward silence after a bad joke, Franken’s humor has stretched on for too long, and voters are ready for a more detailed, substantive campaign.

Both candidates have tried to use Franken’s comedy to their advantage: Franken by making people laugh, Coleman by saying that many issues rise above humor and demand serious debate — and it remains to be seen who will get the last laugh on Election Day. But so far, is seems that Franken’s approach has more traction. In a March 2008 poll by SurveyUSA, Coleman led Franken 51 percent to 41 percent. By May, a Rasmussen poll showed Franken had closed to within 2 points, with Coleman up 47 percent to 45 percent. In August, polls showed the two were tied. Last week, with just four weeks left in the race, a Rasmussen poll showed Coleman up 48 percent to 47 percent, which was within the margin of error.

As it turns out, trying to turn Franken’s chief asset into a liability may prove a hazardous strategy. From the start, Coleman repeatedly pounded Franken for what he called his angry demeanor and distasteful jokes. But that message, which carried Coleman through the summer, is now wearing thin; it seems a political message, like a joke, can be told too often, and Minnesotans either have forgotten their initial distaste for Franken’s jokes or have gotten over it and don’t care. “Change” is in the air, and in Minnesota — the home of Democratic icons Walter Mondale and Hubert H. Humphrey — Franken seems to be benefiting from the popularity of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

For many nostalgic voters, Franken stirs the same sort of passion as the late Sen. Paul Wellstone. So if the comic can keep reminding voters of his political forefathers while riding Obama’s coattails, he could come out on top.

As Coleman asserts, the Franken campaign may lack a candidate with experience, credibility and manners, but here in Minnesota, there is an electorate invigorated by Obama and angry at President Bush. And like Bush, Coleman is suffering from voter fatigue and may not have broad enough appeal to attract independent and undecided voters.

But if Minnesotans decide with the rest of the country that change is important, Franken may win no matter what people think of his jokes. After all, voters here sent former professional wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura to the governor’s mansion. Why not send a comedian to Congress?

Nicole Russell is a Minnesota native who lives and writes in Minnesota.

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