Republicans, Cook noted, are embarrassed to lose such an important seat to a political neophyte such as Franken, his Harvard degree in political science notwithstanding.
"They are going to be watching him very closely, aggressively attacking him at any sign that the Original Al Franken is coming back, even baiting him to do something," Cook said. "He just has to resist temptation."
On Tuesday, he resisted just fine. After the swearing-in, Franken attended his first weekly lunch of Democratic senators, where his colleagues gave him several standing ovations. Franken spoke to the group about "making people's lives better," Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York recounted.
Anything funny? Any jokes?
"No," said Schumer. "He was serious."
The new senator ended his first day with his first vote, on a transportation amendment brought by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), about whom Franken recently wrote a scathing political skit for "Saturday Night Live."
He shook McCain's hand, and they exchanged hearty slaps on the back. Then Franken voted against his amendment.
"Sorry, man," Franken was heard to say, referring to the vote, not the skit.
OK, sort of funny.
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faye.fiore@latimes.com
