Franken returns to comedy at Harkin event

INDIANOLA, Iowa, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Comedian turned Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota returned to his comedic roots at an annual fundraiser for Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

Franken, keynote speaker Sunday at Harkin's annual Steak Fry event, cracked wise about his seat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which Harkin leads following the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, CNN reported.

"It's not really that big a deal," he deadpanned about the importance of the committee's purview. "I mean, it's only health. Education. Labor. And pensions. I mean, who really would care about those things? Except for maybe people who are concerned about their health or their kids' health or maybe want their kids to go to, oh, a good school, or I don't know, people who work."

In a more serious vein, Franken said, "I can't think of anyone better to lead the charge ... than Tom Harkin."

Franken, Minnesota's junior senator, took office about six months later than the rest of the Senate's freshman class after a lengthy recount and court battle with former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.