Al Franken draws a map of the United States freehand from memory while answering questions about healthcare and other topics at a fundraiser for his Senate campaign at Capitol City Brewing Company, 14 Jul 2008. He later auctioned off the map.
This photo was taken on July 14, 2008 using a Canon PowerShot SD800 IS.
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boeke, daveriordan, Yogma, choveka, and 51 other people added this photo to their favorites.
sally henny penny (59 months ago | reply)
he's my geographic hero! I wish I could do that.
KCIvey (59 months ago | reply)
I used to be able to do the periodic table.
savor_soaps (58 months ago | reply)
NY's lookin' a bit strange (not to say I could do any better!)
dwroelands (58 months ago | reply)
So, the ability to do party tricks qualifies you for public office?
GregNotCraig (58 months ago | reply)
@drwroelands - yes. how do you think most of our elected officials got there in the first place? ;)
Xine. (58 months ago | reply)
Hawaii and Alaska are not happy.
sarcle (58 months ago | reply)
no way that's freehand...
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avidsleeper.com
'SeraphimC (58 months ago | reply)
But... but... he's a comedian! He's not supposed to be smart like Bush!
/end sarcasm
Junpei (58 months ago | reply)
Michigan doesn't look so hot. Forgot the rest of the thumb on the UP, aka Keweenaw Peninsula.
GaryRHess (58 months ago | reply)
@leexine he just drew them in the lower-left corner like most maps have them. His coat is obviously covering them. >.>
knomat (58 months ago | reply)
When did West Virginia acquire 1/3 of Maryland? Not bad at all from memory though.
DBarefoot (58 months ago | reply)
But can he do the rest of the globe?
Dave Kliman (58 months ago | reply)
there's video of him drawing that, without lifting the pen, freehand. check on youtube.
leksicography (58 months ago | reply)
gimmick!
shammonds (58 months ago | reply)
I think Maine is a lot bigger irl.
Dan Dixon (58 months ago | reply)
It looks like he's practiced that. :)
lharrod (58 months ago | reply)
He really can do this. Pretty smart. I remember when he did this years ago on SNL. Blew my mind. He did it on a big white board during Weekend Update (he was going over the upcoming primaries state-by-state).
Couldn't find that vid online, but I found this instead...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HfcrqXtxOM
Ian David Marsden (58 months ago | reply)
Oh no. That means he's talented and possibly highly intelligent. Drats, another 'elitist'...
In related news: NAVY SEALS - are they too fit and elitist to defend fat stupid people?
preilly79 (58 months ago | reply)
wait, are they floppy disk labels he's using to stick the paper to the wall? old skool!
DunK'N (58 months ago | reply)
that's pretty impressive.
Cyn Virtue (58 months ago | reply)
They appear to be "Hello My Name Is:" labels, adhering the paper to the wall.
Zlatko Unger (58 months ago | reply)
thats pretty cool!
Matt Valencia <>< (58 months ago | reply)
healthcare is more ugent then..
subprime and fuel crisis..
And Al is Smart Enough, Good Enough and GOSH DARNIT, People Like him..
Give me a break..
jbenson2 (58 months ago | reply)
Instead of studying the shape and position of the US states, he would have been better served if he put his dedication into studying federal and state tax laws.
beppok (58 months ago | reply)
(So, the ability to do party tricks qualifies you for public office? )
In Minnesota it does.
If you can't do party tricks you have to be able to rassle.
htgnef (58 months ago | reply)
I hate the guy's guts, but that is pretty good.
gus.andrews (58 months ago | reply)
Holy cow, nice work, Al!
nathan.vanfleet (58 months ago | reply)
I like how geography god is knowing only about the US. Forget about anything that might be outside it, this would not at all make him anymore godly. Please let him be president and deal with outside countries! This is brilliant! I wonder what Mexico and Canada would come out like!
CatsFive (58 months ago | reply)
"Quarters" is a party trick... or do you Americans count studying and knowing facts as party tricks? Maybe they should film students taking quizzes and exams on American Idol? Hey, jerk, fold your high school diploma into a hat why don'tcha!
Frankie rules. Apparently, his drawing this map from memory now makes him un-American... But don't worry, Frankie, we have lots of room for folks like you up here in Canada.
snekse (58 months ago | reply)
That's pretty cool.
russor_work (58 months ago | reply)
I put this up on MapMixer, after perspective correction.
Davidinmotion (58 months ago | reply)
Please, can you add this great photo on the pool:
Picturing men (minimum 50 favs)
There is also:
Picturing men (minimum 15 favs)
Picturing men (minimum 25 favs)
Picturing men (minimum 75 favs)
Picturing men (minimum 100 favs)
Thank you !!!
Davidinmotion
Josh Thompson (57 months ago | reply)
As a native Marylander, I'm slightly offended by his butchery of the panhandle. Still pretty impressive though! I hope he wins.
Lesuerg56 (55 months ago | reply)
Thanks for sharing the great photo! We have posted the pic under "Al Franken falls short in Senate bid" at www.duhmagazine.com, with your name linked back to this web page. Let us know if the attribution is correct. Thanks!
Eyeteeth.org (55 months ago | reply)
I used this at the Minnesota Independent, with linkback credit:
minnesotaindependent.com/17771/star-tribune-f ranken-presu...
Great shot! And ditto what Lesuerg56 said: lemme know if you want it attributed differently.