Franken endorses Clinton for president

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is endorsing Hillary Clinton for president, adding the support of a populist lawmaker, as Clinton faces speculation about a run by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

{mosads}”I think that Hillary would make a great president,” Franken said in an interview with MSNBC’s “The Cycle.” “I think, I certainly feel I haven’t announced that I’m supporting her, but does this count? I guess, maybe this counts.”

Franken did make mention of Warren as well, though.

“I think that I’m ready for Hillary,” he said. “I mean, I think that we’ve not had someone this experienced, this tough, and she’s very, very impressive. People have asked me about Elizabeth Warren. She is great, but she’s not running. She says she’s not running. So I don’t — I think Hillary would be great.”

Franken joins a range of other Democratic lawmakers in lining up behind Clinton. A survey by The Hill as early as January found that 60 Democratic members of Congress were already ready to endorse Clinton if she runs. 

The Minnesota senator is known for being a progressive. For example, he ran an ad in his reelection campaign this year using some language about Wall Street that is not far from Warren’s.

Speaking of tax breaks for hedge fund managers, Franken said in the ad, “I’m working to get rid of these special breaks. The Wall Street hedge fund guys may not like that, but I don’t work for them.”