Franken still unsettled in Washington

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., says the fledgling congressman has yet to adjust to the trials associated with his new Washington post.

Franken spokesman Jess McIntosh said since the senator assumed his post July 7, Franken and his staff have been busy juggling appearances, congressional duties and home relocation efforts, the Politico reported Friday.

"We haven't had time to settle into a routine yet," McIntosh said.

Also included in Franken's schedule were the U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for court candidate Sonia Sotomayor, who was sworn in Saturday.

Franken was only allowed to assume his senatorial post after the Minnesota Supreme Court found he did defeat Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in the 2008 election.

Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report said it appears the comedian-turned-senator will approach his new-found Senate post with a bit of hesitancy based on his initial Washington dealings.

"That Franken has been largely out of the media spotlight since the Sotomayor confirmation hearings simply confirms that he intends to keep his head down for the foreseeable future," Duffy said.