Sen. Klobuchar leaves National Press Club laughing

By ERIC ROPER, Star Tribune

Last update: January 31, 2010 - 10:37 AM

WASHINGTON – Politics aside, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is quickly getting a reputation as one of the funniest politicians in the nation’s capital.

Minnesota’s senior senator strove to maintain that image Saturday night at the National Press Club, where she humorously opined on the political events of the day before a packed crowd of journalists.

The black-tie event was held to inaugurate incoming Club president Alan Bjerga, a native of Motley, Minnesota. Many of the jokes during her 20-minute speech centered on the recent election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate from Massachusetts.

Klobuchar began by poking fun at a comment Brown made on election night when he proclaimed that his young daughters were “available.”

“I’m so proud to have my husband John here and my 14-year-old daughter Abigail. And no, she’s not available,” said Klobuchar, a Democrat.

The senator remarked that the health care vote on Christmas Eve meant her family did not have time for vacation.

“A few days ago I realized the only person that was able to take a week off during the holidays was the Democratic candidate from Massachusetts for United States Senate,” Klobuchar joked.

Noting that her family will get time off for President’s Day, Klobuchar ribbed a former Senate colleague who recently admitted to fathering a baby out of wedlock.

“[President’s Day] is when we honor, of course, the most famous father of our country: John Edwards.”

Returning to Brown, Klobuchar explained that he follows a rigorous fitness regimen – perhaps unlike South Carolina governor Mark Sanford.

Recent U.S. Senate stories

Another potential 2012 Republican backs McCain - January 31, 2010

Another potential 2012 Republican backs McCain - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he supports Arizona Sen. John McCain's re-election bid in the face of the former presidential nominee's Republican primary challenge. More

Bernanke wins second term in 2nd closest vote ever for a Fed chief after bitter opposition - January 31, 2010

Bernanke wins second term in 2nd closest vote ever for a Fed chief after bitter opposition - Embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke won confirmation for a second term Thursday, but only by the closest vote ever for the crucial post and after withering criticism from lawmakers for bailing out Wall Street while other Americans suffered in recession. More