His questioning of judicial nominees while on the judiciary committee were cringe worthy at best. He’s clearly funny but lacks a certain intellectual honesty when exercising his responsibility to advise and consent.
Glad to see Franken having gotten over this show's so-called "controversy" so soon. Always a joy seeing him do these interviews, he's very funny and candid
His new book is VERY funny, but it is also very EDUCATIONAL. I thought I knew a lot about politics in general, but I learned new things about workaday effort that goes into trying to make the nation work inside the Beltway & out in Minnesota. It is a GREAT & fun read.
Al Franken appeared at the ethical Society in St Louis with Left Bank books, talking about his book giant of the Senate. It was a great evening and everyone enjoyed it. He had a lot of good stories.
Franken knows single payer is not an efficient system. You think Americans will stand getting taxed up the ass? If you think so, then you haven't been paying attention for the past year. look who we have as president.
We have a very good model of single payer, it's called Medicare. People are already paying ridiculous amounts for insurance. The insurance & pharmaceutical companies are the ones making money. The pricing structure needs to be changed, like other civilized countries. Stop thinking Americans have to pay for it and start demanding politicians stop getting their kick backs and start working for us. That's the trick, you see, they are taxing you up the ass, they're just not calling it taxes, they're calling it premiums.
Single Payer will never happen in this country. Both parties have an incurable case of corporate money. Plus the public healthcare systems only work when we have lots of healthy people and few sick people. It would have worked well say in the 1960s when everyone was much healthier. By 2040 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes and 40% will be obese. No public healthcare system can sustain so many unhealthy people.
Or we could just burn all of our money and surrender to China. Put a big sticker on Americas back saying," we're a bunch of pussies come fuck us up the ass". Or vote Sanders/Franken, or Warren/Sanders, or Newsome/Warren.
They really need to just let the guest from this segment of the show walk off after the interview is done. I know it was cut off in this clip, but it's always a little embarrassing when the guest gets up to leave and then they tell them to sit back down. And it happens pretty much every week!
I'm glad Franken's gone. He's a self-serving snake who only cared about his image when he cancelled his appearances with Kathy Griffin and Bill. No wonder no one wanted to stand up for him.
I am not an American but it seems to me that single payer is the American political equivalent of a cyanide pill. It would poison his chances now for races he's in in the future. The Right would use it against him very well. ("Franken is a Communist that wants to demolish an industry that employs 40 million Americans... etc.) It would be far better for him to withhold his stand on it until in a position where he could actually put it forward with some real chance of success. It makes sense to almost every other civilized country in the world (and many that are not so civilized) but the USA. The reason for healthcare being so expensive in the US is largely due to having a cancerous tumor that has spread to every part of the health care system. Most other countries see no reason for such a parasite tagging along for the ride.
because he knows that single payer is not feasible. The countries that have single payer, are starting to ration healthcare because of the rising cost. Ask the UK about it.
I've always loved and respected Al Franken. Whether or not you agree with all of his political views, he is a man of honesty, integrity and he works hard for his constituents and to protect our country. Thank you Al.
Leon Powe Franken is establishment to the core and with the recent revelations. To come out about his own misconduct with women he is a looking pretty bad.
Franken/Newsom 2020 ... Enough of the far-left, especially enough of the far-right. We need a strong democracy with strong, smart leaders. Not embracing people based on a few pet issues.
Single payer or I don't really care. We need a democrat with the guts to stand with the middle class and tell corporate money to go to hell. Anything else is just noise.
Clinton Democrats are Democrats. If you can't see the difference between us and Republicans then your perspective eccentric. I know it bothers you that we're realists, pragmatists and unwilling to shoot sunshine up everybody in order to collect votes, but we really do care about you and the rest of the country. We just believe that the most effective way to move us in the right direction is to progress in achievable segments. Admittedly, sometimes the party needs a more visionary direction. That's why progressive Democrats are also welcome in the party. It's important that we all recognize each other as political brethren because when we don't we get Republicans in office, and there's nothing light about their agenda.
In what way? Dems are 'supposed' to represent progressive change that helps the working class and poor while the GOP is 'supposed' to resist all change to keep the rich and powerful in power by using nut-jobs and fanatics to get votes. The GOP is doing it's job very well ATM. The Dems are just taking bribes and spewing nonsense about the freedom to use bathrooms. Giving dogs to veterans is a very nice thing but we are all kind of hoping to get SOME of the wonderful things the rest of the first world has for everybody.
he never touched the woman he just gestured in the picture as a joke.10 years ago an apology would be enough.he never touched anybody.he just took pictures in bad taste
I’m a woman and I heard him sincerely apologize for that joke. It was a joke. That woman wanted her 15 minutes of fame and hurt our country by having this man resign. I still wish he’d run for President in 2020! I’d vote for him!
Bill is so damn sensitive. Has anyone ever watched his interviews with Colbert, he can't take any heat or jokes aimed towards him. For a master comedian he is quite the softy.
To be fair, Colbert was being hostile for no reason in the beginning of both their interviews. So yeah, I'd expect Maher to be a little pissed off by the middle of the conversation. Same thing happens here. I love Al Franken but he was way more dismissive than he had to be, which makes me suspect maybe deep down he doesn't like Maher. He does this in other interviews too though.
I think one problem here was Bill was asking a very specific question "After this week, how will Trump affect the senators" but Al Franken wasn't really answering the question. Franken is always emphasizing bipartisanship and working together while Maher wants to bring out the more hostile, comedic guy that Franken used to be.
Is it just me or did Bill come off as rather aggressive in this interview, at least with his tone? He has a well-known habit of interrupting his guests but he seemed to do so very emphatically here, as if he and Al were at some fundamental disagreement (even though it was the opposite situation). Maybe he was just a bit nervous since Al canceled his original appearance after the N-bomb shitshow
No, stupid racists who believed that there was a child sex ring in a pizza store gave us Trump. Hillary won by 3 million votes so, ya know, fuck off Fritz
WOW, 3 people lost their lives this week? That's unbelievable. What? 2 at a helicopter crash and 1 woman who was involved in not letting a questionable group protest peacefully. HYPERBOLE!
The trouble with this mono-reception of everything he does or doesn't do is that if he somehow accidentally trips brilliantly, and does something that is honored for decades as one of the sweetest moves ever made by a president, it won't be noticed or acknowledged by what appears to be every single mainstream news outlet and comedy show in our country. Will he make America great again? We may never know--until it's too late.
I'm a Minnesotan, and I can assure anyone that I'm very-very proud to call Senator Franken ours. You should all be so lucky!
His questioning of judicial nominees while on the judiciary committee were cringe worthy at best. He’s clearly funny but lacks a certain intellectual honesty when exercising his responsibility to advise and consent.
I swear I enjoy every moment when Franken is laughing
Glad to see Franken having gotten over this show's so-called "controversy" so soon. Always a joy seeing him do these interviews, he's very funny and candid
I actually adore both of these gentlemen and respect them so much for being on our side and being so upfront and genuine
We need Al back in the Senate !!
Holy shit I'd vote for Al in a heartbeat
His new book is VERY funny, but it is also very EDUCATIONAL. I thought I knew a lot about politics in general, but I learned new things about workaday effort that goes into trying to make the nation work inside the Beltway & out in Minnesota. It is a GREAT & fun read.
Al Franken appeared at the ethical Society in St Louis with Left Bank books, talking about his book giant of the Senate. It was a great evening and everyone enjoyed it. He had a lot of good stories.
Why can't we have more people like Al Franken in politics... If he ever ran for Pres, I'd vote for him hands down
S Lee He's good in many ways, but not supporting single payer disqualifies him in my book.
Franken knows single payer is not an efficient system. You think Americans will stand getting taxed up the ass? If you think so, then you haven't been paying attention for the past year. look who we have as president.
We have a very good model of single payer, it's called Medicare. People are already paying ridiculous amounts for insurance. The insurance & pharmaceutical companies are the ones making money. The pricing structure needs to be changed, like other civilized countries. Stop thinking Americans have to pay for it and start demanding politicians stop getting their kick backs and start working for us. That's the trick, you see, they are taxing you up the ass, they're just not calling it taxes, they're calling it premiums.
Single Payer will never happen in this country. Both parties have an incurable case of corporate money. Plus the public healthcare systems only work when we have lots of healthy people and few sick people. It would have worked well say in the 1960s when everyone was much healthier. By 2040 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes and 40% will be obese. No public healthcare system can sustain so many unhealthy people.
S Lee that's what the typical drone would say.
"Sewn into the fabric of his horror quilt" My God but Maher gives us the best phrases!
Better to have a president who can tell a joke than to have one who IS a joke.
Al Franken, a real American who has a great sense of humor and cares.
Bill Maher is the GOAT
Right on the money. As per usual.
I'd vote for this guy to be president!!!
Al Franken for President!!!!!!!
Al Franken really turned out to be a terrific senator. He & Elizabeth Warren are my favorites.
I'm a step ahead of you Maher. I suggested a Newsom-Franken ticket months ago. I love being right, even when I'm wrong.
When you look at and listen to Al, you get a real sense of a real person with a kind heart. These qualities seem to be totally foreign to the GOP.
horror-quilt - hilarious and sooo accurate!
Horror quilt is about as good a description that we've heard so far.
I love Al Franken...what a great guy.
Sanders/Franken 2020
News from 2020: Trump has won reelection.
LRF49 you can't run for office if you are a convicted felon.
LRF49. Fake news from 2020.
I just typed that!
Or we could just burn all of our money and surrender to China. Put a big sticker on Americas back saying," we're a bunch of pussies come fuck us up the ass". Or vote Sanders/Franken, or Warren/Sanders, or Newsome/Warren.
Yes indeed, a great American. Thx Bill & guest
MInnesota is fortunate to have two really great senators!
Al Franken & Amy Klobachar
We're very proud of both of you!
Bill please, I need Al.... I need to hear what he thinks now.... brilliant man!!!! Please Bill, Please! 10/19/19
We need more SNLers in congress! ;)
President Franken 😍
They really need to just let the guest from this segment of the show walk off after the interview is done. I know it was cut off in this clip, but it's always a little embarrassing when the guest gets up to leave and then they tell them to sit back down. And it happens pretty much every week!
I would love Franken to run for president, I really would.
Al Franken needs to run for president in 2020. I'm going to keep writing this until 2020
Yes please do!
I would LOVE to see Franken run for President....and that's.....OK.
The only thing I have agianst Al is that when he was accused he did not hitch up his balls and stand and fight.
I'm glad Franken's gone. He's a self-serving snake who only cared about his image when he cancelled his appearances with Kathy Griffin and Bill. No wonder no one wanted to stand up for him.
He said he regretted resigning. I think he should have stayed in the senate until everyone forgot about it.
great man Al franken from minnesota👍👍👍👍
I am proud to have voted for this man.
hahahaha HAHAHAHAHA
AL Franken for President
Al Franken for President in 2020.
Why'd you cut off All Franken's awkward goodbye at the end! lol best part
Bill never asked about single payer.
inside job
He didn't ask about "free ponies for all" either.
F S it's coming either way
I am not an American but it seems to me that single payer is the American political equivalent of a cyanide pill. It would poison his chances now for races he's in in the future. The Right would use it against him very well. ("Franken is a Communist that wants to demolish an industry that employs 40 million Americans... etc.) It would be far better for him to withhold his stand on it until in a position where he could actually put it forward with some real chance of success. It makes sense to almost every other civilized country in the world (and many that are not so civilized) but the USA. The reason for healthcare being so expensive in the US is largely due to having a cancerous tumor that has spread to every part of the health care system. Most other countries see no reason for such a parasite tagging along for the ride.
because he knows that single payer is not feasible. The countries that have single payer, are starting to ration healthcare because of the rising cost. Ask the UK about it.
He's got my vote.
"politics is an extension of morality"
Wish Al would run for president.
Al Franken its your time in the barrel....with Roy Moore!
Byzenteen Dutchies Al Franken’s controversy was bullshit
God damn, Bill. Let the man speak!
I've always loved and respected Al Franken. Whether or not you agree with all of his political views, he is a man of honesty, integrity and he works hard for his constituents and to protect our country. Thank you Al.
My mom used that word too. 🤣
Franken ignores single payer. He tries to talk with sincerity, but refuses to discuss single payer, medicare for all.
Why discuss something there's no chance in hell for him to get through?
Because it's a lost cause.
Leon Powe Franken is establishment to the core and with the recent revelations. To come out about his own misconduct with women he is a looking pretty bad.
Al fraken always keeps it real and genuine
Franken would be a great president!
You are both fucking delusional.
would be a first to have a President from this state instead of 2 VP's XD
That aged really well :D
Yeah let’s replace one perv with another 👍🏼😁
Bill and his BF Al 🙄. Meanwhile it looks like more victims are emerging and more creepy Al stories are coming out 🤔.
Franken's record has been very corporate. Wake up people!
Will Al Franken run for president in 2020? I will vote for him.
America should consider itself lucky to have a man like Al Franken in politics, in comedy, in life.
Franken/Newsom 2020 ... Enough of the far-left, especially enough of the far-right. We need a strong democracy with strong, smart leaders. Not embracing people based on a few pet issues.
Sewn into his horror quilt LOL!
IGNORANCE OF THE TRUTH GAVE US TRUMP
It's a shame that five months after this interview, Al Franken would be railroaded by his own caucus.
Single payer or I don't really care. We need a democrat with the guts to stand with the middle class and tell corporate money to go to hell. Anything else is just noise.
You'll never hear that message from Bill Maher who's nothing but a Clinton Democrat
Clinton democrats aren't democrats, they love corporations, they're basically republican light.
Clinton Democrats are Democrats. If you can't see the difference between us and Republicans then your perspective eccentric. I know it bothers you that we're realists, pragmatists and unwilling to shoot sunshine up everybody in order to collect votes, but we really do care about you and the rest of the country. We just believe that the most effective way to move us in the right direction is to progress in achievable segments. Admittedly, sometimes the party needs a more visionary direction. That's why progressive Democrats are also welcome in the party. It's important that we all recognize each other as political brethren because when we don't we get Republicans in office, and there's nothing light about their agenda.
Wow...what profoundly insightful logic. You could damn near say GOP are just Dem lite
In what way? Dems are 'supposed' to represent progressive change that helps the working class and poor while the GOP is 'supposed' to resist all change to keep the rich and powerful in power by using nut-jobs and fanatics to get votes. The GOP is doing it's job very well ATM. The Dems are just taking bribes and spewing nonsense about the freedom to use bathrooms. Giving dogs to veterans is a very nice thing but we are all kind of hoping to get SOME of the wonderful things the rest of the first world has for everybody.
Ok, had to look up the diaper story behind Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana)......Absolutely hilarious!!
2020 will be Kamala Harris with Pocahontas.. All chick crew.
Frank Fernandez Here's hoping!
If Franken and Warren both run in 2020 i honestly don't know who i would pick
why is this guy not president?
I kinda like this Al Frankenstein dude. I think I would vote for him as president.
Al Franken 2020 !!! Why the hell not ?
I would definitely vote for Al for president.
Great American... HA!
I would vote for Al Franklin over any current politician. al 2020!
Who will be Bernie Sanders running mate 2020
androidbey Tulsi Gabbard
Jordan Taylor who?
Bernie Sanders is 900 years old.
still smarter than Trump or any current Republican will be
androidbey can't have two Jews or everyone will freak out, so I'm gonna go with Cory Booker.
Don't take pharmaceuticals, learn how to heal yourself.
He is cool Al Franken.
Nice pivot, Al. Keep it up.
Why didn't he support Bernie Sanders drug plan?
Tim Irwin Maybe he was too busy groping another woman!
So much for that...
Franken/Stein 2020!
S. Bakyhnh Franken/Anyone But Stein 2020.
GUYS GUYS, IT'S A PUN!
FRANKENSTEIN!!!
César Madero honestly I didn't get it thank you you helpful soul
anshul sanam you stick with the clintons you loser.
Milo Yiannopoulos/Dick Vinsen 2020
Al Franken 2020!
Big Al gropes woman while she was asleep !! Way to go Senator !!!!
He is a Great American.....
he never touched the woman he just gestured in the picture as a joke.10 years ago an apology would be enough.he never touched anybody.he just took pictures in bad taste
I’m a woman and I heard him sincerely apologize for that joke. It was a joke. That woman wanted her 15 minutes of fame and hurt our country by having this man resign. I still wish he’d run for President in 2020! I’d vote for him!
i'd vote for him
Bill is so damn sensitive. Has anyone ever watched his interviews with Colbert, he can't take any heat or jokes aimed towards him. For a master comedian he is quite the softy.
To be fair, Colbert was being hostile for no reason in the beginning of both their interviews. So yeah, I'd expect Maher to be a little pissed off by the middle of the conversation. Same thing happens here. I love Al Franken but he was way more dismissive than he had to be, which makes me suspect maybe deep down he doesn't like Maher. He does this in other interviews too though.
I think he (Al) was just trying to be funny. Perhaps Bill wants to control when to be funny and when to answer questions.
I think one problem here was Bill was asking a very specific question "After this week, how will Trump affect the senators" but Al Franken wasn't really answering the question. Franken is always emphasizing bipartisanship and working together while Maher wants to bring out the more hostile, comedic guy that Franken used to be.
Gray Ryker
Yep
Bill doesn't know the difference between being friends and being friendly?
You gotta be kiddin; me!
The corporate eatablishment has spoken! Harris/Booker shall be the 2020's Democratic presidential ticket.
Mass Immigration and Mass Automation - Dem's 2020 platform
Nibelheim They already lost.
HeresyTalk
Trump is a failure !
Nibelheim #bernieorbust #bernie2020 #nomorecorporatedems #singlepayer #singlepayerorbust
Nibelheim i think you're right. That seems to be how it's going.
Fuck yeah, I'd vote for Al.
Is it just me or did Bill come off as rather aggressive in this interview, at least with his tone? He has a well-known habit of interrupting his guests but he seemed to do so very emphatically here, as if he and Al were at some fundamental disagreement (even though it was the opposite situation). Maybe he was just a bit nervous since Al canceled his original appearance after the N-bomb shitshow
Remember how bad "binders full of women" was in 2012?
It's a shame that Hillary gave us Trump.
Fritz Karl Ignorant voters (and non-voters) gave us Trump.
YOU gave us Trump.
yep
No, stupid racists who believed that there was a child sex ring in a pizza store gave us Trump. Hillary won by 3 million votes so, ya know, fuck off Fritz
White men gave us Trump.
I don't know what a memior is, but I think the video's description wants to say "memoir" ;)
Oh god, the de-humorizer joke again.
I love you, Senator Franken, but don't become the new John McCain. Use another joke.
Jim Alley A timely response, Jim. Thank you.
WOW, 3 people lost their lives this week? That's unbelievable. What? 2 at a helicopter crash and 1 woman who was involved in not letting a questionable group protest peacefully. HYPERBOLE!
Did Bill use the N word again?
He should!
who cares.
hell yeah white lives matter bitch!
Who cares!! He uses street drugs.......thats a pass!! NOT RACIST!! Fuck all of us white or black is house niggas now!! Whats the problem?
I liked the way this ended... a lot
Kai Elan I wonder what they had for dinner?
Foie gras? 🦆🔪
You know what would be better then bringing down health care insurance premiums?
Single payer!!!
Bring back Al!!!!!!
The sales pitch on these healthcare policies sounds great, but familiar.... Oh Obamacare!
Lol. How's that Franken/Newsom ticket going Bill? Haha
Al Franken is way more valuable as a Senator. Same with Elizabeth Warren.
Hahahahahaha see you later Stuart!
My mother refers to difficult people as "pills" as well. I find myself doing it, too, every now and then.
that must be a derivative of the 'hard pill to swallow' phrase
Makes sense!
The trouble with this mono-reception of everything he does or doesn't do is that if he somehow accidentally trips brilliantly, and does something that is honored for decades as one of the sweetest moves ever made by a president, it won't be noticed or acknowledged by what appears to be every single mainstream news outlet and comedy show in our country. Will he make America great again? We may never know--until it's too late.
Al Frankel for president!!
that laugh tho
Surely there must be more Al Frankens that can run for office.
I love the mocking of Sean Hannity in every place you can