Senator Al Franken on Lying Liars | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

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Senator Al Franken joins Bill to discuss his return from a "comedy hiatus," the fact-free environment of today's politics and his hopes for overturning Citizens United.
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[@jamesanderson6373]

Cause he's good enough, he's smart enough and gosh darn it people like him.

[@qhsperson]

And his books are funny.

[@durangobrando]

Look in the mirror. Only you can help you.

[@JohnSmith-qn3ob]

Damn it James, you beat me to it

[@lizielue3411]

James Anderson Not all people!!

[@sonyap.6512]

Lizie Lue....SNL reference.

[@tracer740]

"... the 'de-humorizer' " LMAO!!! Love Al Franken like a good buddy!

[@riparianlife97701]

He's good enough, and he's smart enough, and doggone it, I like him.

[@jameswilhite8522]

Al is the calm flip side of Lewis black. they should work together

[@that1guy335]

nailed it

[@dragorocky]

Sorry I gotta be the one to break it to ya, but it's the same dude. Senator Lewis Black, duh!

[@jaydavids6485]

Black Franken 2016 - will Def get the minority vote! Sounds great:)

[@jaydavids6485]

and sounds like a burnt dish

[@SahilMakhijani]

Franken-Black. Sounds like the GOP's unofficial nickname for Pres. Obama

[@lwdick1639]

LOVE AL FRANKEN, keep up the good work!!!

[@norasteel5353]

love both these guys! Funny and Smart!

[@nDndAd]

Because I'm good enough...smart enough...and gosh darnit, people like me! Love Franken. :)

[@bobabtcr]

I LOVE YOU, AL!!!

[@bobabtcr]

YOU GIVE A SHIT!!! You can be president and Bill can be your v.p.!!!

[@Luna.3.3.3]

what better combo that the razor sharp wit of Bill and Al. Love it!!!

[@geoffdearth8575]

He shouldn't have resigned.

[@lwdick1639]

Still love you Al

[@TheNeeenha]

I am so proud of Al....You go, I wish we had more like him

[@deborahhoffman7394]

Thank you Minnesota!

[@b6schilke996]

The cornerstone of democracy rest on the foundation of an education electorate.

[@MrApostleLee]

I am reading his book now, great read!

[@cdvw8242]

Appreciable are Mr. Frankens' abilities to meld humor with scrutiny.

[@DougGrinbergs]

Damn, I miss this guy in the Senate, even from another state. Hoping he'll speak up about issues.

[@thecinephill8999]

"You were the anti-Marco Rubio". "........Okay". XD

[@judyhurt6735]

Love you Al Franken!

[@gspendlove]

What a wonderful surprise it was to see Senator Franken on the show last night! I've been a big fan for years--since '96, in fact, when he released his book _Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations_. When I read that book, I thought, "Finally! Somebody's got the guts to take Limbaugh on and expose him and his bullshit!" And that's what made that book a bestseller--people like me who were sick to death of attacks on President Bill Clinton and the Democratic Party from the right. I'm surprised neither Bill nor the senator noted that this year is that book's 20th anniversary, which means that 2016 marks two decades of Al Franken taking right-wing liars like Limbaugh, O'Reilly and Coulter and ruining them with the truth (and jokes).

[@avedic]

Great comment! And profile pic... O_O

[@seeamerica1]

All of his books are great reads

[@screwyootube1]

Agreed, 100% All of Al's books are as hilarious as they are informative! And some came at a time, when it was desperately needed - Dubya in office & GOP-controlled Congress making horrible decisions - the humor in Al's books gave me hope. And then... Obama! Hallelujah! (I'm a huge fan of his, too - And I wish he would come on Bill's show!)

[@dynad00d15]

Excellent interview as always..

[@gilbertmueller720]

Mario Levesqu

[@VasilyLykov]

Overturning citizens united isn't good enough. We need a constitutional amendmant to completely get money out of politics. We need to prosecute anyone who sends or receives large sums of money in politics.

[@peterlinder4177]

anticorruptionact.org/ Read it then go and vote for liberals and progressives on your ticket that can win. The day after they are elected, call their office and hit their e-mail with questions about supporting this act.

[@DaWozzMan]

Basil Lykov We need Mandatory Minimums for corruption!!!

[@seeamerica1]

I made a comment above, your thoughts?

[@qones3574]

Keep agitating on this. You're 100% correct in your longterm prognosis of the problem.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Basil Lykov - We should, but America has to go with the first of the famous 12 steps, and admit that there's a problem. Until we accept that lawyers and the Just Us" system ARE the problem, nothing can be done. Our congressctitters are mostly lawyers, taught in college that they will be running the country, and they're all OK with comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler, and what they can remember from school is "We Don't Need No Education." You're right, We are in trouble.

[@freddytravale4741]

I love these two guys ,,,

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

"You give me money, Bill." "Al Franken, great to see ya! Senator Al Franken everybody! We'll be right back!" lol

[@KTPurdy]

Franken makes a great observation about citizens united.

[@misspelledwrong6040]

Education will be a good beginning to make America great again. Right now we're living and dealing with the results of ignorance, sadly.

[@ericconnor8251]

Al Franken rules. Don't agree with all of his positions, but he's a genuine human being.

[@MrGabberPete]

His response to the Marco Rubio line is priceless. "..............ok.........."

[@Gr8Layks]

These guys work well together. Very complementary styles.

[@livia-cy2zo]

He's a good man, Al Franken.

[@theghostofdemonratspast9580]

every time i see al franken i think of a show from the 90s where he works at a news station and they make him go outside in a blizzard and ask him questions and he cannot hear all al says is WHAT fucking hilarious

[@ryanvaubel7186]

Tyler Weston That was a skit on Saturday night live during the first gulf war. He was a correspondent in the desert with the satellite on his head

[@theghostofdemonratspast9580]

It was lateline

[@screwyootube1]

Loved him in Lateline! But he was the only one on the show that was any good. The show badly needed a complete overhaul.

[@geoffdearth8575]

I would like to see us adopt the British system wherein the whole thing takes 6 weeks and the candidates get allotted airtime on TV stations. Instead of the bombardment of ads for months.

[@brianjoyce9040]

And then his own Democrats turned on him. If that does not explain the RNC/DNC dynamic of duopoly few things do. I believe he was one of our truest most honest hardworking senator, not just because he wasn’t a lawyer, we have seen in many years.

[@DonTheConPrison2024]

He's not only a comedian - he's smart! We need more comedians in there.

[@VivekAnandJ]

Bill Maher just hits the nail on the head! I'm waiting for him to talk about the Dakota pipeline though!

[@kadourimdou43]

Why not have a maximum amount of say $500. Then it would be about popular policy,not the ones wanted by wealthy individuals.

[@williamdelorenzo4089]

i understand his reasoning behind his decision to be serious his 1st term, he ran to make a difference. i think he did a great job, whether you agree with his politics or not. that being said, i am so glad to see him and his intellegent observational humor back. i need a good laugh!

[@innersub3699]

8:17 what a call out

[@OneAdam12Adam]

They thought they saw lies were bad then. Wow! It's outrageous 4 years later.

[@clarkpalace]

And has just got a bit better now after the 2022 midterms.

[@internetpeople6113]

10 years ago I would be trolling this video. Thanks to Bush and republican party, I am now whole.

[@ZeroOskul]

Grin and bear it, and remember to pet your conscience be your guide.

[@cugamer8862]

Would love to have seen Al run for president.

[@ZeroOskul]

Next time, Gadget.

[@Pomiferous]

You were not feeling the Bern ?

[@conniecook8095]

When this was aired, we were worried that the Citizens United decision wouldn't be overturned. Now, we have to worry about Trump and the Republican party overturning our whole government and way of life!

[@MrROKinROK]

I still think the funniest thing every uttered on Politically Incorrect was during the OJ verdict days. When the panel was asked what they thought OJ would do with his life, Al Franken responded "I think he'll kill again." Ya had to be there.

[@lwdick1639]

LOVE Al Franken

[@pguardiario7850]

Al's a classy guy. Bill tried to bait him into dissing his FL colleague but he didn't bite.

[@RichardBaran]

He is one of the good ones!

[@rise1931]

"Why not me?" I can't think of a reason why not.

[@jenniferhertzler4641]

God I love al I wish he would run for POTUS

[@robertjahrig4474]

Mark Twain said the truth is a precious commodity. You need to be economical with it. Must be why Trump has succeeded thus far. Wish lies were as precious. ABT (anybody but Trump) folks. Stay strong.

[@barrykaine6526]

It's the Al Franken generation...again!

[@Keleigh3000]

Obscure SNL ref ftw!

[@ZeroOskul]

That's decade and millennium, not generation. You have no idea who Stuart Smalley is. If you do, say it. Not to me, to the mirror.

[@jayrosen6663]

Such a shame that he was forced to resign his Senate seat-by Democrats!!!! All because of a photo that was a gag!!!

[@patrickbriggs8409]

Best part is when Al tells Bill he's a waste of time. Not that I don't like Bill, but you could see it set Bill back. Like he was thinking, "My money is a waste of time?" Which is exactly the problem with money in politics.

[@zvipatent]

Public financing of campaigns ! Yes

[@msducks3397]

zvi benari, public financing with limits.

[@rickturner9961]

lying under oath is a felony

[@dumpthechump1769]

This all sounds so quaintly hopeful now. Sad.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Al's a good dude!

[@christianalmli9085]

This guy has a striking similarity to Lewis Black.

[@tracer740]

I don't see it as "striking" however, upon close observation there may be a rather 'oblique' (physical) similarity. On the other hand, their capabilities to examine issues and come up with comedic content or resolutions are very similar.

[@jayejacobs5985]

Check out old SNL skits from the 70's and 80;s... he used to write for SNL and he also was in Trading places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyed.

[@tracer740]

Jaye Jacobs Respectfully, I recognize your point and your reaction but my only reply is, that to me, it's just not as "striking". We may still be friends, yes?

[@jayejacobs5985]

Liche Christ Did not mean it in the negative at all, just wanted you to check out the videos, because they are funny....and yes we can still be friends lol

[@humility1st]

Ahhhh sweet! Thank you Liche Christ and Jaye Jacobs! Charming conversation. LOL 3 months but I want to tell you. Thank you.

[@SwirlyJoe]

Al Franken needs to run for president

[@TheBeardedTrombonist]

I love this man. Why couldn't he be our presidential nominee?

[@onomatopoeia162003]

or even our other senator Amy. XD

[@thecauseandfx]

Amy would make a good Supreme Court justice

[@onomatopoeia162003]

idk if she would wanna do it

[@lalalalala6413]

He would've been a much better candidate. I wanted him to be our VP. He would've been a good fit for Hillary. Midwestern, strong, funny, but willing to take the backseat. Hopefully, he gets offered a cabinet position, but he may not want to leave elected office.

[@tracer740]

Jimmy- He may very well be, in the near-distant future. And not that it's important in any pertinent manner, He will continue a mode of 'firsts', precedent-ed by John F Kennedy and Barack H Obama. i.e first Catholic President; 1st Negro President; 1st Jewish President.

[@marymohagheghi4875]

I so agree!,

[@2liza011]

OMG if this guy can do it Jon Stewart can too.

[@ricky5369]

john oliver had a good piece about campaign financing where they show politicians going into a cubicle to raise funds by calling people on the phone, that's what they are talking about at around 7:30

[@kaduisaui8016]

Bring back the fairness doctrine.

[@lunhil1264]

An honest, decent politician who actually works for his constituents. A rare bird these days.

[@stevenmeyers1229]

Lying Liars, telling lies about lying about lying about lying about lying about lying about lying.....Oh, what a wonderful web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

[@seeamerica1]

I agree with AF! Campaign $$ should be made by the public Not lobbyists & corps. If each person paid just $1 into a fund via their taxes each election year (meaning every 2 yrs), & it was divided between the three main parties that would give $107.9 Million to each & provide an equal opportunity to all parties. Make lobbying illegal. It sure would eliminate the big industries & corps from secret lobbying for their own interests & against the interests of the people. Oh by the way All of AF's book are super reads!

[@dootdoot1867]

Campaigns should be financed by people and matched by the collective money. If you like a Candidate and donate 20 Dollars that is matched by the government x5. So your 20 Dollar donation becomes 100. Everyone is capped at the 2-5,000 limit. That way any candidate can get funding based on their ideas. Our Politics becomes a marketplace of Ideas.

[@davidtaylor4435]

I love looking and listlngt at this station

[@qones3574]

Keep pushing on Citizens United. Please! We need so much momentum. It's gotta be bi-partisan. Nearly everyone agrees. Keep pushing.

[@douglasmcwilliams8802]

Al's great. His books were funny and eye-opening

[@conniemason2992]

I admire you

[@tychothorpe4515]

If you close your eyes... you kinda can hear Heath Ledgers Joker from Al Franken

[@user-ie9jz5gt8y]

We need Al back in the senate. Please!

[@brentfree2273]

That's why we love you come back.You had back bone you strong we need you now.

[@fildman77]

You cannot say that he's adorable this guy is funny

[@nishithkumar1684]

Why do these people clap and scream for everything?

[@dbunik44]

I'd also like to ask the senator if he believes climate change is such a big issue then why did Barack Obama approve a 117 million dollar expansion for a coal mine in Montana?...granted it's not senator Franken's fault but I'd like to know his thoughts on that issue

[@therealrdmt]

Al Franken is Lewis Black on quaaludes.

[@lj0339]

No other comedians in Senate but plenty of jokes 💅

[@fildman77]

Just in case I am a citizen I just crunch lived here since 1988

[@erixxxblue2698]

before you can insult a person's intelligence the person must have intelligence

[@ReVoltAgefilms]

Amazing how Bill only talks about Trumps lying!

[@nancychace8619]

Bravo! Pretty good. Re: lying - Unfortunately, lots of people don't like to hear the truth. It upsets their applecarts. My mom was in the car business for years. For a time she sold some pretty nice ones, but she used to come home thoroughly frustrated sometimes b/c if she was completely honest about a car, the customer would sometimes shy away from it. You might think it natural that a car salesperson might fudge a little about some flaws in a car, but it can also work in reverse... the car can be excellent but a skittish customer might shy away in any case, simply b/c they can't digest what they are hearing - the truth. She never outright lied in a hurtful way, but I think she became savvy to people's "filters" - we all have them - you know the ones 🙂 - and learned to accommodate them. She sold cars.

[@pegasus3219]

I was going to say Franken/Warren 2020 but fuck it...Franken/Warren 2017.5!!!

[@kefkapalazzo1]

Citizens united gives copperas personhood... I think it's Buckley Valeo saying cash is speech that really got he ball rolling though

[@pdaryl85]

I'd love for him to run for president.

[@ILoveYouAnyway]

pass the DutchY on the left hand side please ☺☺

[@kilroy987]

Yeah, people reward the lying. They like the bravado (wrong word, but I can't think of the right one) of it. It's time for people to pay for rewarding it, and get serious. The righteous might be infuriating, but it's been made pretty clear what happens when power is awarded to people who care even less about the truth so much that it's more frightening than fun. Oh, I didn't realize this was an old video, it could have just as easily played yesterday!

[@cbalmori]

a dehumorizor... hahahahaha

[@catalinasimmons6314]

vote for me Al Fraken...air America. Any one else remember that?

[@MrChuck365]

Al Franken for President.

[@timbozza1678]

In the federal House and Senate committee hearings on climate change, many of the Republicans argued that climate change is real, that the climate has always changed for billions of years, that man may have an influence on the climate. Senator Sessions, who is in the limelight at the moment as a DOJ cabinet member, along with all the Senators in the hearing, agreed with and started on the foundation that the climate changes. So for Franken to assert that the Republicans "don't believe in climate change" proves his own point; that there are a lot of liars in US federal politics, of which he is not separate from. If you don't believe me, look up videos of the Senate hearings, and the House hearings if you can find them. They go on for hours at a time, there are dozens of experts brought in for their testimony and cross-examination of their testimony, and there are rarely and concessions given to expert witnesses, brought in by one side, by the other. The disagreement in the House and Senate is over the scientific evidence for the degree of change that is human influenced (climate sensitivity to CO2 amongst the most debated, but by no means the only contention), the dangers that those changes pose (those that are exaggerated/made-up vs those that are not), the effect that federal action could have on mitigating the risk on the dangers and costs to citizens, and the appropriate level of warranted attention that all this should draw from the federal budget.

[@Thadmotor1044]

Bring back AL !

[@TheWorld_2099]

Sadly how much did what he was proposing and hoping for did not pan out… It even went the opposite way. We need to correct course

[@lynndragoman2454]

He went from Groper to Senator Groper

[@bonniemccarley3355]

MY mother couldn't tell the truth even if the person is alive after telling you he is dead,even though he is standing there!!My whole life was a lie till i was 40! I can spot a liar now!

[@erichvonmolder9310]

Too bad Franken quit, he must kick himself.

[@advocacynaccountablity]

AL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pluot77]

Franken's complaining that lying has no consequences while he's supporting the candidate who said that the only reason she takes Wall St. money is to rebuke the terrorists? (Among many other lies.)

[@foxtrotA1]

lying is also a main symptom of narcissism which researchers who measure things like 'empathy' say is at epidemic proportions... something to do with childhood trauma and abuse, plus the ultimately destructive result from what's really valued in a patriarchal system: control of resources and ideological supremacy. Unhealthy imbalance of energies, plus an emotional immaturity in males that blows my mind. Except for Lawrence ODonnell❤️