Franken prefers State Fair to hobnobbing in Denver

Updated: August 25, 2008 - 8:01 PM

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DENVER -- Senate candidate Al Franken is spending just a "couple of days" at the Democratic National Convention, but by the time he dropped in on the Minnesota delegation breakfast Monday, he sounded a little homesick.

"I've got to get back ..." he said, catching himself. "I want to get back to the fair."

Franken is keeping a low profile at the convention, passing up a chance to appear on stage Wednesday night with other Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate. The Wednesday time slot was selected after Franken had already made his travel plans, according to an aide.

Question: So why not catch a later flight home?

Answer: He would rather be at the State Fair downing corn dogs and chatting up Minnesota voters.

"I'm sure I wasn't going to be on between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden," Franken said. "I was just going to be up there for a couple of minutes."

Given the way the television networks cover the conventions, Franken said, he figured he was unlikely to get much exposure. "Unless I do one of the 'big speeches,' the eyeballs watching are negligible. It's better for me to be shaking hands, answering questions and talking to folks at the fair."

With no formal role at the convention, Franken spent the day with his wife, Franni, doing interviews and catching up with old political acquaintances, including friends at a Denver law firm that hosted a closed-press fundraiser.

Then it would be back to the fair, he said: "There are so many Minnesotans, it's fun, and there's the corn... ."

KEVIN DIAZ