With microphones out at Sotomayor hearing, Franken gets a chance to sit in big dog’s seat

Sotomayor hearing: Testing, testing … hello?

WASHINGTON — Al Franken is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee — only a week into office? Well, Franken was, briefly.

“The quickest rise of any senator in history,” reports the lead Republican, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

The Minnesota Democrat got to sit in the chairman’s seat when the real chairman’s microphone went out. What followed was a classic confirmation hearing absurdity worthy of Franken’s alma mater, “Saturday Night Live.”

Leahy called the hearing back to order after a break Wednesday. From his chair at the head of the dais, he began reading an opening statement — into a dead microphone. Here’s what the TV audience could not hear.

Leahy: “It’s off? It says ‘on.’ Jeff, does yours work?”

“One, two three,” Sessions said into his microphone … also dead.

Sen. Herb Kohl, who rarely uses his microphone anyway, batted away at the useless instrument on his desk.

Then, suddenly, a familiar voice seemed to boom over the sound system:

“I think mine works.”

It was Franken, who then offered to switch places - but not seniority - with the chairman.

Leahy demurred. “The chairman doesn’t get paid anything extra,” he said

Then he reconsidered.

“Al, I’ll use yours,” Leahy said, walking to the junior end of the dais.

He sat. He spoke. And Franken’s microphone wouldn’t work.

Meanwhile, Franken was reconsidering his seat at the helm of the panel.

“I shouldn’t do this,” Franken said, getting up.

“No, stay right there,” Leahy ordered.

Franken defied him and sought out another seat until the microphones were fixed.