Franken explains apparent Lieberman dis

DFL Sen. Al Franken appeared to smack down Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut on the Senate floor today during debate on the health care bill.

Franken was presiding over the chamber as Lieberman was explaining a proposed amendment. Franken noted Lieberman had hit his 10 minute time limit, and Lieberman made a routine request for a little extra time. He appeared surprised when Franken objected to and denied his request.

Video of the exchange is already hitting the blogosphere, where it's being played as Franken paying back Lieberman for his role in obstructing the health care bill.

The only problem is Franken says that's not the case.

In an interview with MPR's Tom Weber Franken said he was carrying out Majority Leader Harry Reid's orders to keep the debate moving, and that "Joe" didn't take it personally.

Here's how Franken explains what happened.

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