Al Franken, the Comedian, Brings a Trump Stand-Up Act to the DNC

PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a convention speech reminiscent of his "Saturday Night Live" days, Al Franken showed us he hasn't lost his comic timing nor his droll delivery.

"I'm Al Franken, Minnesotan, senator and world renowned expert on megalomaniacs. Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and now Donald Trump," opened up Franken from the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. "I got my doctorate in megalomaniac studies from Trump University."

The audience on the convention's first day was ready for a few laughs. The day opened with tension and dissension in the Democratic ranks, with vocal protests by Bernie Sanders supporters, the resignation of Democratic Party Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, backroom talks about who would gavel open the convention, and boos from Sanders supporters for the program's early speakers. Even Sanders was booed by Sanders supporters when he urged them to vote for Hillary Clinton.

Franken's droll wit lifted spirits and reminded people who the Democrats were up against in this election.

"Did you know that Trump University School of Ripping People Off is rated second in the nation, right behind Bernie Madoff University," Franken asked.

Also on Patch

Mom-in-Chief Michelle Obama Delivers Lessons for a Playground Bully

Democratic National Convention Day 1 Blog, reporting from Philadelphia

Trump University, a for-profit, private school for real estate and business education, operated from 2005 to 2010 and is now mired in lawsuits from unhappy customers who say they were ripped off. Trump has called the Indiana-born judge who's hearing the case, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, a "Mexican" and a "hater" and has suggested Curiel could not be impartial because of his Mexican heritage.

"Trump University is about more than just bilking people. ... It's also about learning directly from success experts, like Scott Baio, Mike Tyson and, of course, a life-sized cutout of Mr. Trump himself."

Baio, somewhat inexplicably, was invited by Trump to speak to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on opening night. "Let's make America America again," he told the audience. Trump also reportedly invited Mike Tyson to speak, but later denied he did so.

On Monday night, Franken, 65, took aim at Trump's business acumen, a point of pride for the Republican candidate mentioned often in his stump speeches. His bankruptcies — Trump's companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy four times — come up less often: the Taj Mahal casino in 1991, which was $1 billion in debt; the Plaza Hotel in 1992; Trump Hotels and Casinos Resorts in 2004, which was $1.8 billion in debt; and Trump Entertainment and Resorts in 2009.

After each bankruptcy, Trump relinquished his control of the reorganized company that would emerge.

"Their bankruptcy program in particular is known throughout the real estate investment community for its creativity," Franken joked. "The most popular course, Bankruptcy 101, 'How to Leave Your Partners Holding the Bag,' is taught by the cardboard cutout himself."

If you believe Trump's business success qualifies him to be president, Franken suggested, "I've got some delicious Trump Steaks to sell you."

In the summer of 2007, Trump got into the steak business, selling prime cuts of meat through mail order. The operation folded after two months.

After roasting Trump for a few minutes, Franken turned his attention to the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, whom he's known for 25 years.

"I am proud to call Hillary Clinton my friend," Franken said, "and I can't wait to call her Madam President."

Franken underscored, however, how tough this election is going to be and how hard Democrats will need to work to get out the vote. He called to mind his own first election for the U.S. Senate in 2008. The race went into a recount because the balloting was so close.

"I won my first race for the Senate by 312 votes," Franken said, then pointed to the Minnesota delegation, which cheered him and waved "love trumps hate" signs. "They are the reason I'm here and not giving this speech to my bathroom mirror."

Franken elicited a hearty cheer when he mentioned the late Paul Wellstone, the U.S. senator from Minnesota and passionate, beloved progressive who died in a plane crash while in office in 2002.

"My friend Paul Wellstone used to say, 'The future belongs to those who are passionate and work hard.' This week is about passion but starting Friday morning it's all about work. Hard work," Franken said.

He closed with one more punchline.

"Many of you have jobs. Many of you have families. Ignore them. Let me tell you something, kids love it when their parents aren't home. Don't worry about your kids. You have work to do," Franken urged. "Get on those phones, knock on those doors, and tell them Al Franken sent you."

If you're too young to know Franken as anything but a politician with a flair for a good joke, Franken was one of the original SNL writers from 1975 to 1980. He returned to the show as a performer from 1985 to 1995.