https://youtu.be/1KI_DorjrpE
Ahead of Super Tuesday (and this weekend’s primary in South Carolina), Hillary Clinton’s playing hardball by hopping on the pop-culture train. She’s appropriating the Mean Tweets feature popularized by Jimmy Kimmel with a political spin. So, instead of seeing NFL players or movie stars celebrate the spirit of self-deprecation, we’re watching Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken read tweets he received after he endorsed Clinton in late January.
Three months ago, @HillaryClinton proved that she's the most tested and experienced progressive leader I know. pic.twitter.com/8uBQ3efTKf
— Al Franken (@alfranken) January 30, 2016
Franken’s Twitter replies not only play off this solitary tweet but also the #HillaryForMN and #ImWithHer hashtags. Perhaps the best moment of the video is when he reads this tweet: “Franken is plugged into the establishment matrix.” He describes the experience as “painful.”
@alfranken @HillaryforMN Franken is plugged into the establishment matrix.
— Geeks & Inks (@geeksandinks) February 19, 2016
Another special moment occurs when Franken reminds the audience that he never appeared on MADtv but starred in SNL instead. He also manages to work in several Clinton policy points, but the humor matters most here. Indeed, the tweets Franken reads do represent a large undercurrent of the replies he receives after his Clinton endorsement.
https://twitter.com/FrankChurch5/status/700760582627000320
@alfranken *sigh* Hillary doesn't seem to stand for almost anything you stand for.
— Robin Marsack Barber (@robindbarber) February 19, 2016
@alfranken @HillaryforMN you're making me regret the contributions I gave to your recount effort. #ImWithHimSinceWarrenDidntRun
— Is Tweety Bird a Baby? (@valueSalad) February 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/dave_r123/status/701057833144463362
Even after all this abuse, Franken is still waving the #ImWithHer hashtag all the way to the polls. The video wasn’t terrifically funny, but props to Clinton for seeing the humor associated with Twitter trolls.
The #MNCaucus is a week away, but you should get involved today! #ImWithHer because she's always been with us. #FF @HillaryforMN
— Al Franken (@alfranken) February 19, 2016