Yeah, but Pgardn, I've seen Maher torpedo a discussion to go for the joke. And yeah, lots of times the show isn't particularly funny, but I also think that's dependent on the guests, don't you? Get three stick-in-the-muds and you're in for an hour of snoozeville (or at least I am, as I like to watch the show, but if it's dull I'm out like a light. Zzzzzzzz....).

Franken's agenda in "Lying Liars" wasn't policy- the theme of the book was the dishonesty in the leaders in right-wing media and the Administration. And it was pretty funny (especially the Coulter chapters). For the love of Pete, he announced he's going to run, what, four weeks ago? And already you're accusing him of not offering solutions? Are you grandfathering the past 10 years and figuring he should have known he was running then so he should have been offering concrete solutions in his political humor books? You're right; why, how dare he not have offered policy suggestions about the energy crisis when he was writing for "SNL" during the Carter years! What a destroyer! He should have known 30 years later he'd decide to run for office!

Again, he's a humorist. His job (until he runs for office) is to poke fun at idiocies going on in government. And yeah, he clearly has a side he thinks is more right than the other. Well, so do Coulter and Limbaugh, only they aren't as verbally adept.

All that said, just because it's been on my mind- I think Coulter is an idiot, but I think the main thrust of her comment is being a wee bit misconstrued. I think she was trying to make a joke about that guy from "Gray's Anatomy" going into "rehab" for making a gay slur. But, not being very verbally adroit, it didn't come off very well. (And I'm still fascinated with how conservatives use insinuations of homosexuality as an insult and no one calls them on it. Nothing worse than being gay! Wha?) Here's the quote:

"I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word '******,' so I—so kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards."

Now, that said, I still think Coulter makes money off spreading hate. Some choice comments:

"[Clinton] masturbates in the sinks."—Rivera Live, Aug. 2, 1999

"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.' "—Hannity & Colmes, June 20, 2001

The "backbone of the Democratic Party" is a "typical fat, implacable welfare recipient"—syndicated column, Oct. 29, 1999

To a disabled Vietnam vet: "People like you caused us to lose that war."—MSNBC, Oct. 11, 1997

"Women like Pamela Harriman and Patricia Duff are basically Anna Nicole Smith from the waist down. Let's just call it for what it is. They're whores."—Salon.com, Nov. 16, 2000

"I think there should be a literacy test and a poll tax for people to vote."—Hannity & Colmes, Aug. 17, 1999

"My libertarian friends are probably getting a little upset now but I think that's because they never appreciate the benefits of local fascism."—MSNBC, Feb. 8, 1997

So, there you have it. She also hates masturbators and disabled vets.

(If she finds masturbation horrific enough to use it as an insult, who does she date? You know what they say-- 90 percent of men say they masturbate and the other 10 percent are lying. ;) )

Franken is a humorist.

And he should remain so.

So he is good enough to run for political office because he can make fun of politicians? I think the guys is funny. But not as a politician. What makes him think he understands what the country needs more than others? Because he can make fun of the government.

His great strength would be his adept understanding of the Middle East?
He is a wonderful admininstrator and has always figured out unique ways of making government money go a long way towards solving a real problem?
He has great deal of knowlege in economics and can bring other economists, who respect him a great deal, into the political arena to solve real problems?
He is a wonderful pragmatist and has always been able to bring people with very different views to a consesus to solve a social problem or eniquity?

No. He tells good jokes about the inept nature of some select politicians.

Pgardn,
Are you serious?
Did the American electorate ever give two terms to a B Movie actor?
Is the current gov of California a body builder that went on to show his knowledge of curren events by playing terminator?
Did a state ever elect a pro wrestler to be their governor...Jesse V???
Come on my man! These suckas will buy anything.
How about a failed wildcatter and ex-Texas Ranger owner?
Pass the bong.

You just made my point.