Franken to headline Harkin steak fry

Al Franken, the newest member of the U.S. Senate, will be the Sen. Tom Harkin's guest at the Iowa Democrat's annual steak fry Sept. 13.

Franken, a comedian-turned-politician, who is expected to be seated in the Senate next week eight months after the November 2008 election, will headline Harkin's 32

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annual steak fry fundraiser at the Warren Count y Fairgrounds. He survived recounts and court challenges to his upset of Minnesota Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

Harkin spokesman Matt Paul said the senator had been talking to Franken for weeks about headlining the day of food, drink and politics. Franken agreed to attend the event prior to his election being certified this week, his spokesman said.

It will be the second appearance by Franken, 58. He previously attended the steak fry to promote a book he authored.

Franken built his reputation on the comedy circuit, most notably as a member of the Saturday Night Live troupe. Although he was seen as an unlikely Senate candidate, even detractors conceded he worked extremely hard, attending hundreds of events to meet Minnesotans and convince them he and his campaign were not a joke.

An early count showed Coleman ahead by 206 votes out of 2.9 million cast. In the end, after recounts and court challenges that went to the Minnesota Supreme Court, judges declared Franken won my 312 votes.

Since the election, he has kept a low profile, at times consulting with Bill Bradley and Hillary Clinton, both celebrities before they were senators.

 The steak fry, which started humbly in 1972 on a farm near Winterset in Madison County, has become a staple of Iowa Democratic politics. Over the years, Harkin has invited a mix political heavyweights, fresh faces and emerging Democratic stars. His guest in 2006 was Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, still riding the wave of excitement he created at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Last year's headliner was Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who led a Democratic resurgence in that western state and just days before the steak fry had fired up the 2008 Democratic National Convention crowd.

The first steak fry attracted just 20 people and it was not an annual event in the beginning. It hit its stride in 1990 when Harkin was running for re-election to the Senate. Since then it has become a "must-do" for Iowa Democratic hopefuls as well as those with national ambitions. Recent steak fries have been broadcast live on C-SPAN.

Harkin's fundraiser has become something of a launching pad for presidential hopefuls. Harkin used the 1991 steak fry to announce his own presidential bid. Since then, Bill Clinton and John Edwards have each made three appearances. Elizabeth Edwards headlined the event, too.

Obama returned to the steak fry in 2007 with Democratic presidential hopefuls Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards and Bill Richardson. It drew an estimated 15,000. Al Gore was his guest in 1995 and 1999. Other guests have included Harkin's friends, the late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone, political consultant James Carville and even one former Republican - Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords, who switched parties.

In addition to politicians, Harkin has hosted singer Sheryl Crow and Iowa actor-comedian Tom Arnold.

Ticket information will be announced later this summer, Paul said.