Franken eyes role as 'people's proxy' in hearings

[July 07, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Finally joining the Senate, Democrat Al Franken envisions playing the "people's proxy" during Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court hearings. Franken, awaiting "an awfully emotional" Tuesday when he is sworn in, is joining the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is to begin hearings next week on President Barack Obama's first nominee to the high court.

"As someone who will have been in the committee a grand total of six days and isn't an attorney, I kind of see myself fulfilling a certain role for Americans watching the hearings," Franken said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press.

"So I kind of see myself as people's proxy, not that the other senators aren't, but certainly that's the kind of role I want to play," he said.

Franken would not say what he wanted to ask Sotomayor and or whether he would vote for her. But Democrats believe he is a near-certain supporter.

Franken, speaking with the AP inside a small office in the headquarters of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said he will be sworn in with a Bible from the family of the late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone.

The former "Saturday Night Live" performer, satirist and radio host grew up in Minnesota and moved back to the state in 2005. The Senate contest ended eight months after Election Day when the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in his favor after a protracted recount. His opponent, former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman, then conceded.

Describing his approach to the job, Franken said, "Mainly I'm going to put my head down and get to work."

[Associated Press; By HENRY C. JACKSON]

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