ST. PAUL, Minn. - "After millions of dollars and 19 months pursuing a U.S. Senate seat, comedian Al Franken won the Democratic primary in Minnesota.

"The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member, author and radio show host jumped out to a firm lead in early returns. With 5 percent of precincts reporting, Franken had two-thirds of the vote in his seven-way primary to determine Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's fall challenger.

"Coleman easily defeated his primary opponent — an expatriate living in Italy."

Those Republicans have primaries which are just knock-down, drag out fights. Funny how the R nominee usually seems to be appointed by the boys in the back rooms.

Arf