Franken's First Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Sen. Al Franken has been more under-the-radar than in-your-face in his first year as a senator.

The Minnesota Democrat who made his name with "Saturday Night Live," liberal talk radio and mouthy political books quickly blended in after being sworn in last July 7.

Franken battled back from an Election Night deficit to defeat Republican Norm Coleman in a recount and court fight that spanned eight months. He arrived in Washington as the filibuster-busting 60th vote for Democrats, even though that level of chamber control didn't last long.

Since then, Franken mostly has stayed out of the focus.

He says that's on purpose. He says he turned down requests from national TV shows to focus on policy.

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