Sen. Al Franken Teaches Colbert How to Pivot Tough Questions

On Tuesday Night, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) sat down with Stephen Colbert and among many things discussed the ability of pivoting questions.

Colbert pointed out that in his book Al Franken: Giant of the Senate that the comedian-turned-politician “learned weird sociopathic political skills.”

“What is the weirdest political skill you have learned?” Colbert asked.

“Pivoting,” Franken answered immediately.

Franken explained to the audience that pivoting is “not answering the question.” And he gave an example.

“I’d be asked, ‘You’re ten points down in the polls to Norm Coleman, how are you going to convince Democrats to nominate you?’ and I’d go ‘You know, when I go around Minnesota, Minnesotans don’t care about polling. What they care about is health care and their kids’ education.'”

Franken admitted that he at first was not good at pivoting because he was “taught to answer questions.” It took him “forever” to learn and now he thinks he’s “okay” at it.

Colbert then asked him to pivot some questions to promote his book.

“If North Korea continues to advance its missile program, Senator Franken, should we take military action?” he asked.

“You know, in my book, Steve, I write about the importance of level-headed leadership, which is why I am terrified of [Donald] Trump,” Franken responded.

Colbert followed up with this question: “Senator Franken, do you plan to run for president in 2020?”

“You know, in my book, Stephen, Al Franken: Giant of the Senate, I talk about the importance of level-headed leadership,” the senator responded.

Watch the clip above, via CBS.

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