The Singer's Song

On Wednesday, February 9, embattled Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN) surprised beltway insiders by opting not to run for reelection. Perhaps his anemic approval ratings, caused in part by the closure of his D.C. office right before the election because of a “terrorist threat,” led him to believe he would have some difficulty in securing a second term. Maybe he decided against a bid because he couldn’t afford spending another $12 million of his own money (albeit inherited money) on another race. Either way, he left his Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in a tough position.

The first thought of the DFLers – as they’re apparently known – was to recruit a celebrity. Wrestler-cum-action star Jesse Ventura being unavailable, the next big name in Minnesota politics was Al Franken. A former member of Saturday Night Live, Franken currently hosts a radio program on Air America called The O’Franken Factor (a nod to his favorite blotch-covered Faux News host, Bill O’Reilly). Franken let word leak out that he would announce his intentions about running for the Senate during his radio show that Thursday. Drawing out his decision until the waning minutes of the program, Franken told his listeners that he would not run – for now (leaving open the possibility of running in 2008).

What is it, exactly, about our infatuation with celebrities that we believe they would make efficient lawmakers and executives? Did Ben Jones’ illustrious service as “Cooter” on The Dukes of Hazard fully prepare him to be a United States Congressman? How about former coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers Tom Osborne? Did leading his team to multiple national football championships offer him the background necessary for writing legislation? Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Bunning cheated in a debate in the fall by using a teleprompter but was nevertheless reelected as a Republican Senator from Kentucky. Did pitching a no-hitter forty years ago make Bunning any less senile?

In 2006, California might have the distinct opportunity of choosing between not one, but two celebrities for Governor. Rob Reiner, director of such films as This Is Spinal Tap and When Harry Met Sally and an occasional actor, is seriously considering a run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. If he should knock off State Treasurer Phil Angelides in the primary, Californians will have to choose between Meathead (is that reference to dated for us college-aged folk?) and the Kindergarten Cop. Quite a prospect, indeed.

Maybe it’s time for the celebrities and athletes to stay out of politics. Lynn Swann might have been a great wide receiver – one of the best of all time – but he has no business running for Governor of Pennsylvania next year. Dennis Miller should stick to stand up rather than make a run for the Senate here in California. Every one of these celebs should take a cue from Fred Dalton Thompson. He gave up a seat in the Senate so he could do some really important work. Thompson now serves as District Attorney on NBC’s Law and Order.

This article originally appeared in the February 16, 2005 edition of The Collage, a student newspaper covering the Claremont Colleges