Anatomy of a Joke....

From the Brainerd Dispatch:

Franken figures people know difference between joke and real thing

By MIKE O'ROURKE

Associate Editor

U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken's efforts to translate fame as a comic and satirist to political success may hinge on whether Minnesotans can distinguish between humor and policy discourse.

The former "Saturday Night Live" performer and writer who visited Brainerd Monday said he's not overly worried that immoderate excerpts from his best-selling books or comic performances may be used against him.

"The stuff they've come up with is pretty weak," he said. "I think Minnesotans know what a joke is."

Minnesotans do know what a joke is, Al.

We certainly do.