Franken: ‘No Doubt’ Air America Aided Senate Bid

Democrat Al Franken, currently fighting in Minnesota to be seated as the state’s next Senator, said there’s “no doubt” his prior work at the liberal talk radio syndicate Air America aided his bid for political office.

“It was a net plus, there’s no doubt about it,” Franken said during an Air America appearance Friday — his first wide-ranging interview since the election.

Franken argued the exposure helped in two ways: first, by showing Minnesota voters he was serious and hard working; and second, by drawing in a national audience to assist in fundraising.

“The only downside was, you know, the Republican talking point that I was a communist or a socialist or something like that on Air America, that I was the same as Rush Limbaugh,” Franken added. He insisted he’s not the mirror image of Limbaugh, but rather “the opposite.”

Franken said he is excited to join the Senate — a matter still officially pending while Sen. Norm Coleman (R) continues to wage his challenge to Franken’s 225-vote lead certified in the race.

“The narrowing of the universe of these absentee ballots that could be counted is such that we really believe we’re going to win, and we’re going to win soon,” Franken said.

Read a transcript of the interview and listen to the audio here.