What could have possessed Minnesota voters to elect Al Franken to the Senate?

In a strange period of time in U.S. political history – including Caroline Kennedy’s attempt to use power and influence to be appointed a New York senator, and Roland Burris’ struggle to claim a Senate seat given to him by disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich – the liberal comedian’s apparent upset victory over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman is by far the strangest.