This ought to make Megyn Kelly's head explode:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
If a Jewish senator can turn a "Secret Santa" gift exchange into a tradition for his colleagues, why can't Santa be Jewish?
That's Sen. Al Franken's (D-MN) take on the whole "Santa is white" debate.
"You know, there's been a lot of controversy about the ethnicity of Santa lately," the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian joked Wednesday on NPR's "Morning Edition." "Maybe, you know, he's Jewish." - TPM, 12/18/13
You can listen to Franken's interview here:
http://www.opb.org/...
I know this is a short diary but I at least wanted one Christmas themed diary. Franken kicked off his Secret Santa tradition and one Senator actually did receive coal in his stocking:
http://www.usnews.com/...
This year, Franken drew his Democratic colleague Sen. Joe Donnelly, Ind., and gifted him a hand-drawn map of the United States, which paid particular attention to the states that played a role in Donnelly's life.
Some senators gave favorites from their home states. For example, Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., gave his colleague Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., some jam and jellies made by House of Webster in Rogers, Ark. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., showed off his home state's red clay by gifting Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., a "Georgia Clay Bread Warmer." And Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., gave a hat tip to a local charity by giving Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., dog treats made by arcBARKS, a program out of Greensboro for the developmentally and intellectually disabled.
Other senators made their gift recipients feel at home. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., was gifted California wine by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was given Dunkin Donuts (and the Massachusetts-based company's delicious coffee) by her colleague, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was the only senator to receive coal in his Christmas stocking, but with a twist. He was gifted an elephant statue made of the product from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, W.Va., who wanted to proudly show off the wares from his coal-producing home state. - U.S. News, 12/18/13
Emphasis mine.
Well played Senator Manchin. Well played.