What does the world need now more than anything else? Al Franken in a position of moderate authority. And it just might happen:

For months, Mr. Coleman had been leading his Democratic opponent, the entertainer Al Franken, 57, whose campaign seemed doomed earlier this year. But an abrupt change happened over the past month as the financial crisis has taken root. Mr. Franken, best known as a performer on "Saturday Night Live" and as a radio host, has pushed forward in several polls. And the race is now considered a tossup. "Franken has clearly been propelled by the sense of almost panic by Minnesota voters about what’s going on nationally and here at home with the economy, and also globally with the two wars," said Lawrence R. Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. "That’s the main focus that’s helped Franken defy his near-death experience."

Should you be concerned? No. A junior senator from a mid-west almost Canadian state under the US system has little real power. And a person of wit and observation has the power to cause reflection. All good. But beyond that, for a person of my generation Al Franken is an icon, a nutty guy not unlike John Belushi, Bull Murray and the original SNL pack was at the tail-end of the hippy era. But, instead of creating everything from Animal House to The Life Aquatic, Franken turned his social observations to the governance of society. And besides - it's Al Franken. Pray for Minnesota. Exercise your powers of mind control if you have any.