by Frank James
Minnesota's state canvassing board today certified that former comedian Al Franken, a Democrat, outpolled Sen. Norm Coleman, the Republican incumbent by 225 votes.
But the Coleman forces aren't about to give up. Here's an excerpt from a statement by Coleman for Senate counsel Tony Trimble:
The actions today by the Canvassing Board are but the first step in what, unfortunately, will now have to be a longer process. This process isn't at the end; it is now just at the beginning. We will contest the results of the Canvassing Board -- otherwise, literally millions of Minnesotans will be disenfranchised.
While we appreciate the effort of this board to do the work, the reality is that any certification of vote totals at this point is only preliminary. As this Canvassing Board has recognized, there still exist serious problems with inconsistencies in the administrative recount, and therefore in the validity and reliability of the numbers certified today. There can be no count that is accurate or valid when 654 potentially valid absentee votes remain disenfranchised and when some votes are counted twice - leading to a violation of one of the most sacred principles of our constitution - "One person, One vote."
And, there can be no justification to report out a total when 133 votes were included in a count where there are not ballots to support them. Or when a batch of votes were not counted on Election Night, but were miraculously "found" during the recount and included.
If the Canvassing Board had resolved all these issues, then the process might be completed. But the Board has deferred the resolution of those issues for the contest phase provided for in Minnesota law. Since the process is far from complete, there can be no confidence in the current results of the United States Senate Recount, and we will file a contest within the next 24 hours to promptly correct those problems and inaccuracies. The Supreme Court ruling today also emphasizes that that's what we must do to provide an accurate count for this election.
As Trimble suggested, the Minnesota Supreme Court did leave the door open for a Coleman lawsuit by saying that was an avenue he could take as a potential remedy to its decision that some absentee ballots from traditionally more Republican areas need not be counted.
As the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported:
The action came hours after the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected a bid by Coleman to have hundreds of rejected absentee ballots considered in the recount, prompting the Coleman campaign to say that an election contest, or lawsuit, "is now inevitable."
The Supreme Court did not issue an opinion on the merits of Coleman's claim that the ballots, from mostly Republican-leaning areas, may have been wrongly rejected, saying he could later pursue an "election contest," or lawsuit, to make his case. Coleman recount attorney Fritz Knaak said the campaign would take that path.
And it's sounding like we could be well on our way to spring by the time all the legal wrangling is finally over and the Minnesota Senate seat finally has a winner.
Another Star-Tribune excerpt:
Such a legal showdown could take weeks to resolve. In addition to the Coleman campaign's request to have the absentee ballots reconsidered, a lawsuit also include claims by Coleman that some votes in Democratic-leaning areas were counted twice.
Comments
Now is a good time to remember what crooked Norm Coleman said about this exact situation two long months ago:
"Yesterday the voters spoke. We prevailed," Coleman said Wednesday at a news conference. He noted Franken could opt to waive the recount.
"It's up to him whether such a step is worth the tax dollars it will take to conduct," Coleman said, telling reporters he would "step back" if he were in Franken's position.
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http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/287606/36/
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Republican Hypocrisy. It comes with the party ID card.
Coleman and his briefcasers might receive sanctions for frivilous claims. The MN Supreme Court already warned them about it. Coleman seems to be on his way to an Alamo style legal bunker.
With no bullets, and not enough ballots
The key difference between Franken and Coleman: Franken won, and he did it without a cherry-picking legal strategy. At this point, Coleman is a sure loser, his only flicker of a hope is dependent on the success of a "count my votes, but not his" legal strategy that is doomed to failure.
Posted by: Bubba "Jeff " Porter | January 5, 2009 6:01 PM
CONGRATS SENATOR FRANKEN! YOU'VE DONE GOOD! THE US SENATE NEEDS MEN LIKE YOU! COLEMAN IS A SORE LOSER! LOOK AT HIM WHINING LIKE A LITTLE GIIIIRRRRRRL! FRANKEN FOR PRESIDENT!!!
Posted by: Democrats 4 Ever | January 5, 2009 6:41 PM
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!...it couldn't have happened to a bigger slimeball. See you in court, Normie!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/fbi-investigating-coleman_n_149840.html?page=10
Now Al, it should not have been this difficult, but I'm glad you're there. Please make us Minnesotans proud and may your re-election be a CAKEWALK!!!
Posted by: Twin Cities Hysteria | January 5, 2009 7:16 PM
Sounds like a Chicago Election-
Posted by: Inky | January 5, 2009 7:18 PM
Tell you the truth, I suspect a lot of irregularities...I know the Sect. of State "dude" is a product of ACORN and George Soros's org...enough said there...the real joke here is how does a buffoon, like Franken, become considered as senatorial material and remarkably get this close to being elected...have we lost our intellectual standards?...do you see some "profiles of courage" in this guy?...come to think about it... the Senate is pretty much of a joke anyway...and we "trust" our lives and future to these clowns...he'll fit right in.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 5, 2009 8:53 PM
I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!
Posted by: Stuart Smalley | January 5, 2009 9:07 PM
Right you are B"J"P. Well said!
Posted by: John.Delovely | January 5, 2009 9:09 PM
The Senate is surely happy with the result. They won't have to investigate his dirt. After all they have enough of their own. It seems like Coleman's argument is that he and not the election board should determine the outcome. That is very Republican of him.
Franken did not seem very capable during the campaign. I hope he will turn out to be better than what he seems at first blush. Though I doubt that he can be any worse than say Vitter, Chambliss or DeMint. That is setting the kind of standards that Bush and Rumsfeld set for the Iraq war.
Posted by: Ron M | January 5, 2009 9:39 PM
What a whopper of a statement.
"We will contest the results of the Canvassing Board -- otherwise, literally millions of Minnesotans will be disenfranchised."
Both sides agreed to the completely transparent recount.
Sorry Coleman supporters, it's over!
Posted by: Daniel | January 6, 2009 12:55 AM
They'll just keep counting until the democrat controlled media gets it's way and they elect Franken.
Then we get a comedian as Minn. senator and president.
Posted by: acid indigestion | January 6, 2009 1:03 AM
Congrats to Senator Franken on his hard fought honorable battle to represent the good people of Minnesota. The US Senate will a better place now that Al Franken is on board and the Republicans have deservedly lost yet another seat. I know some may have heard this before somewhere.. but, Al Franken, is as qualified and as able as anyone in the political scene to be president. I'd like to see him run, I'd like to see him be president some day.
As president, it's about service, service for the greatest country on the face of the Earth and the honor that goes with it. I think Al Franken fits that description.
Posted by: Slinky | January 6, 2009 1:33 AM
it's over, book it.
Posted by: crud | January 6, 2009 1:45 AM
I just heard that in 37 precincts there were more ballots counted then the number of voters who signed in and voted that day...geez...in heavy Franken precincts no less
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 6, 2009 1:53 AM
The Democrats are trying to steal this election, which is the norm. Democrats have a history of stealing of elections, with this one and the Washington governor's race in 2004 two of the more recent egregious examples. In 27 precincts there were more votes counted than there are people registered to vote. When both Franken's and Coleman's names were marked on the ballot, Franken was given ALL of those votes. When people crossed off Franken as their vote, ALL were counted as Franken votes. If there was a circle and an X mark on Coleman votes, those votes were taken from Coleman. Between Franken, Burris, Blago, Richardson, Spitzer, Clintons, Obama, Jefferson, Rangel and on and on and on and on and on and on and on, the Democrats continually prove they are nothing but cheats, liars and crooks to the Nth degree!
Posted by: John D | January 6, 2009 9:23 AM
the real joke here is how does a buffoon, like Franken, become considered as senatorial material
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 5, 2009 8:53 PM
How? When the alternative (republican) is worse. Maybe instead of spending the time chanting "Chicago"& "Blago" and all the other desires to create some partisan perceived scandal, reflect a little and figure out why your party has become the equivalent of Alpo.
Posted by: bill r. | January 6, 2009 9:24 AM
Bubba is correct..voting irregularities. Sort of like Ohio in 2004. The shoe is on the other foot this time. Can you say (Coleman is a) loser.
Posted by: Doug R. | January 6, 2009 9:45 AM
Bubba:
Where did you "just hear that"?? Limbaugh, Hannity, or O'Reilly??
BJP had it right - now that he is losing, Coleman decides that he cannot do what he told Franken to do - accept the results.
Posted by: BobinATL | January 6, 2009 10:03 AM
"I just heard that in 37 precincts there were more ballots counted then the number of voters who signed in and voted that day"
Who did you hear that from Bubba, Bill O'Reilly?
Your post and Bill O'Reilly have no credibility.
Posted by: Tim | January 6, 2009 10:06 AM
Interesting story Bubba Porter. Perhaps more votes were counted than who signed in and voted THAT DAY because of EARLY VOTING. Ever heard of it? Jezus, your ilk will believe whatever Rush vomits.
Posted by: Republics are simpletons | January 6, 2009 11:24 AM
Look out.
There's 'Bubba' (the real one) and there is 'Bubba Porter'. Don't refer to 'Bubba Porter' as 'Bubba'.
BTW, do you think BO'R well invite Al on for a post victory interview?
Posted by: C.Morris | January 6, 2009 12:42 PM
Al Franken - Harvard grad, member of Mensa and best of all - a comedian.
Norm Coleman - a joke
Congratulations SENATOR AL FRANKEN!
Posted by: fred | January 6, 2009 3:00 PM
C.Morris:
Actually, someone said that Franken's office should call O'Reilly every day just so he would have to hear that Senator Franken's office is calling!!!!
Posted by: BobinATL | January 6, 2009 4:36 PM
It is amusing that people who cannot darken a circle on a ballot sheet are repeatedly voting in elections. They vote primarily democrat. Elections are held up, re-examined, scrutinized, contested...to try to determine the INTENT of the voter. If you can't darken in a circle per the instructions, you shouldn't be voting. If you have no idea what your candidate represents, other than the hope of a government check in your mailbox, don't vote. We sorely need a means test.
Posted by: obamabotsACTIVATE | January 7, 2009 12:48 AM
And you--"obamabotsactivate"--are a bigoted fool. And your facts are wrong.
Posted by: Flo | January 7, 2009 8:15 AM