Franken Won't Let Lieberman Speak

Sit down and zip it, Joe. That's essentially what Al Franken told Joe Lieberman to do today, albeit couched in polite Senate speak. When Lieberman used up his allotted time speaking on health care, he asked for unanimous consent for a bit more time. That's usually a formality. It just so happened that Franken was taking his turn as presiding officer. "In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," he said, in what seemed to be a surprising Senate snub.

"Really?" responded a surprised Lieberman. "Okay. (I) don't take it personally. I will ask unanimous consent that the remainder of my remarks be included in the record as if read." Franken allowed it. Then John McCain weighed in, notes the Huffington Post. "I must say that I don't know what's happening here in this body, but I think it's wrong. ... I have never seen a member denied an extra minute or so, as the chair just did." Later, a Franken spokesman said nothing personal was meant by it. (More Al Franken stories.)