Al Franken Wants to Be Senator. Seriously.

July 12, 2008 -- Al Franken has long been a player on the American comedy scene, but politics has played just as integral a part in his life.

Franken, 57, is working to convince Minnesota's voters that — like the title of one of his books — he's good enough, he's strong enough and, doggone it, people like him as he prepares for his bid for the U.S. senate.

While Franken may have started his comedy career writing jokes about Richard Nixon, he was still around to comfort Al Gore after his presidential loss in 2000. If "Saturday Night Live" is the capital of modern American satire, Franken is one of the founding fathers.

But Franken says that while he might joke about politicians, his campaign is no laughing matter.

"Minnesotans deserve a senator who is dead serious about their lives," Al Franken told "Good Morning America's" Bill Weir.

"I want to get things done. I want to change things," he said.

Weir spent the day with Franken in his native Twin Cities, following him as he campaigned around the state, going from a breakfast dinner called "Hell's Kitchen" to the improv comedy club that gave Franken his first break.

After his "Saturday Night Live" fame, he hosted his own liberal talk show on "Air America Radio" for three years and, amid much speculation, Franken confirmed he would indeed run for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Norm Coleman.

Showing love for his supporters — and a bit of comedic timing — the announcement came on Valentine's Day 2007. Franken said he decided to run for Senate while entertaining U.S. troops in Iraq.

Franken, who said he has been a lifelong Democrat, channeled his rage over the 1994 "Republic Revolution" with a book called "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot," published in 1996. That book, and his following four, became New York Times best-sellers.

But back in his native Minnesota, he has worked hard at campaigning.

In a state where residents are known by the nickname "Minnesota nice," it's hard to be sure whether they love Franken for his comedy, or his politics — at least, until November.

"I know there is a possibility that I won't win, and I'll figure it out when I get there. Either way, I will be in the hospital the next day," he quipped.

But, seriously, Franken's says he's confident. "I really believe that I can win this."