There’s a refrain familiar to any regular Capitol Hill reporter trying to ask a question of Senator Al Franken, Democrat from Minnesota and Saturday Night Live alum: “I don’t talk to national press. You’ll have to speak to my staff. I only talk to Minnesota press.”

Those lines are nearly always followed up by an agile staff member appearing out of nowhere to block Franken from the unfortunately deemed “national” reporter, ready with a business card and an explanation that the senator is very busy and is only giving interviews to local press and won’t you just shoot me an email with your question, please? Thanks!