Al Franken won the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate on the first ballot of the DFL convention in Rochester with 62 percent of the vote. That's far quicker than most pundits predicted.

Franken's nomination speech — which included the words "I'm sorry" — probably went a long way with many delegates. After the mea culpa, Franken delivered a speech that was far tougher and funnier than the ennervated, light-under-a-bushel candidate seen in the last several days.

The Republicans clearly have Franken in a box with the porn stuff; he may have swayed this hall, but 3 million voters will be a tougher challenge. Franken's best hope may spring from his signature line, which hints at tapping into the anger that voters undoubtedly feel:

"And I understand that the people of Minnesota deserve a Senator who won't say things that make them uncomfortable. But I'm in this race because there are some people in Washington who could afford to feel a little less comfortable."

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer moved Franken be endorsed by acclamation.