Comedian Franken to run for Senate

Al Franken announced that he will run for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously as a political figure.

Franken, 55, said he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Norm Coleman.

Franken, who grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, first gained national exposure as a writer and performer on "Saturday Night Live." His announcement came on the final day of his show on the liberal radio network Air America.