Bummer.

Yahoo! News - Comedian Franken Rules Out Senate Run in 2006

Comedian Franken Rules Out Senate Run in 2006

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Comedian and Democratic activist Al Franken on Thursday ruled out a run for a Senate seat from Minnesota next year but left open the possibility of a potential candidacy in 2008.

"Not running for the Senate in 2006," he told reporters and his Air America Radio audience. "Minnesotans are very serious about their politics and it would be silly. I don't live there."

Silly? How can it be silly for the state that elected Jesse Ventura Governor? Or Preferred Mondale over Reagan in 1984 when Reagan clobbered Fritz, winning EVERY OTHER STATE? Dem dere Minnesoootans got 'em a wicked sense 'o humor . . . - tm

Franken, who has written several books satirizing conservatives and is perhaps best known for his performances on the NBC program "Saturday Night Live," said he had committed to two more years at Air America Radio, a liberal talk show network.

Air America won't be around for that much longer - tm

"I have been looking at the 2008 Senate seat, people know that," he said. "If I go in 2008, you're going to see me moving back there."

Franken, who was born in New York and grew up in Minnesota, had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Mark Dayton, who announced on Wednesday he will not seek re-election next year.

Several Democrats are expected to consider a run, although there appeared to be no immediate front-runner.

A number of Republicans are seen as potential candidates for Dayton's seat, including Reps. Mark Kennedy and Gil Gutknecht as well as former Republican Sen. Rod Grams.

Minnesota's other senator, Republican Norm Coleman, faces re-election in 2008.