Franken gives himself an A grade in first term
Updated: Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 8:39 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 8:15 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 8:15 AM CST
MINNEAPOLIS - Sen. Al Franken has been busy in his short time in Congress, playing a big role in the debates over health care, financial regulation and tax cuts. Before heading back to Washington, Franken sat down with FOX 9 political reporter Jeff Goldberg.
A lot of topics were covered, beginning with the sometimes nasty political discourse in Washington and across the country. In light of the Tucson shooting, many politicians have vowed to adopt a more civil tone.
Is this a realistic goal, or do think, give it a week or two and we’re back to where it was?
I think this is actually going to change things…If we argue on facts, that will really help the tone.
Is that not happening?
That doesn’t happen all the time. You’re entitled to your own opinion, not to your own facts.
Franken believes opinion, not facts, has often dominated the debate over health care. He highlights what he calls indisputable benefits, like provisions allowing kids to stay on their parents plan until age 26, and that companies are no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
Franken believes opinion, not facts, has often dominated the debate over health care. He highlights what he calls indisputable benefits, like provisions allowing kids to stay on their parents plan until age 26, and that companies are no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
He also points to the Congressional Budget Office report that repealing the law would increase the deficit to $230 billion in the next 10 years.
Is this an opportunity for democrats to re-introduce some of the merits of it?
I think it is.
And why didn't this happen leading up to the election?
That's a really good question. And I wasn't running, so had I been I would have been talking about my vote.
House Republicans are holding a vote to repeal the law this week, claiming it will cost jobs and increase deficits. Many new members got elected based on their opposition to the bill. Meanwhile, a new poll from the Associated Press shows one in four Americans support a complete repeal.
So do you think claims by Republicans that it will increase premiums and be a job killer are not based in fact?
No. Parts of it are going to work better than we thought. Parts aren't going to work as well as we thought. Health care reform is a work in progress. It's a journey not a destination.
Franken says the toughest vote of his career was that to extend the Bush-era tax cuts. He wanted the unemployment insurance extension and the cuts for most Americans, but opposed cuts for the wealthy.
Do you think the president has let down progressives?
As one over-arching statement, I wouldn't say that. In some ways yes, but as an over-arching statement I wouldn't say that.
How would you grade yourself? How are you doing in the Senate?
”Well, I'd give myself an A. I learned from Mark (Dayton), our governor, no one would laugh more at that than him.”
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