We published this short quote from SNL-alum and Santa Fe resident Jack Handey's EIGHT MONTHS AGO on our award-winning election blog SwingStateofMind.com. Back then, Norm Coleman had a 300 vote lead on Al Franken, and shrinking.

Al Franken is an old friend of mine. We worked for many years together on "Saturday Night Live." You know how there's a person who can always make you laugh? I could always make Al laugh.

Our politics aren't totally in sync, but I hope Al wins his recount -- if for selfish reasons. If I'm ever in jail in Mexico or Turkey, I'd like to be able to call Senator Franken and go, "Hey, Al, get me out of this."

That said, I have mixed feelings about Al becoming a professional, full-time politician. I think he's a brilliant comedy writer. No doubt he'd make an excellent senator, because he's very ardent and knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. But it's sort of like a great baseball player deciding to become a florist or something. He might make a good florist, but damn, he was a really good ball player. Wish he'd play some more ball.

Franken, now the winner of the Minnesota Senate seat, is defunnifying himself (to TPM's vexation).