by Mark Silva
Now that a three-judge panel in Minnesota has declared late-night-comic-turned-daytime-congressional-candidate Al Franken the winner of the state's long-disputed Senate eection, his party is calling on the incumbent Repubican, Sen. Norm Coleman, to smell the coffee.
But Colemen says he is admanant about grinding on with an appeal to the Supreme Court. The senator has 10 days to appeal Monday's decision.
"It's time that Minnesota like every other state have two" senators, a jovial Franken said outside his Minneapolis townhouse on Monday. "I would call on Senator Coleman to allow me to get to work for the people of Minnesota as soon as possible."
After a statewide recount and seven-week trial, Franken stands 312 votes ahead of the incumbent in the November election. He actually has gained votes in absentee ballots as the challenge that Coleman initiated has gone through court review.
"The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the November 4, 2008, election was conducted fairly, impartially and accurately," the three judges who handled the appeal under state law declared. "There is no evidence of a systematic problem of disenfranchisement in the state's election system, including in its absentee-balloting procedures."
Coleman's lawyers, including one who defended George W. Bush in the fight over Florida's disputed 537-vote margin that seated the former president in 2000, are appealing on the grounds of the constitutional guarantee of equal protection, arguing that counties had differing standards in treating absentee ballots.
Bush, remember, won his fight in the Supreme Court -- on a question of equal protection in the counting of Florida's disputed ballots.
"Enough is enough," Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine said today.
"It is time for Norm Coleman to concede and for Al Franken to be sworn in as the next U.S. senator from Minnesota,'' Kaine said. "The voters of Minnesota months ago elected Al Franken to the Senate - and during every step in the legal process that judgment has been confirmed. Norm Coleman's own legal challenge resulted in more votes for Al Franken and now a three judge panel has ruled Al Franken the winner.
"Former Senator Coleman's insistence on continuing his quixotic quest for this seat at best shows that he is putting his own political ambition ahead of the people and worst that he is complicit in an effort by national Republicans to deny Al Franken this seat for as long as possible so there is one less Democratic vote for President Obama's agenda for change,'' says Kaine, governor of Virginia and a key Obama supporter during the 2008 presidential election campaign.
Comments
What happened to the abuse of the courts, with frivolous suits, with which the silly Republicans were always trying to beat the Democrats, and citizens, in general, over the head !!? Oh, that's right, it isn't frivolous, if it is your case, and your grievance !! Come on, Senator Coleman, the people have spoken, clear out your Senate Offices and withdraw with class. The people of Minnesota, do not appreciate, not having full representation in the Senate !! What are you going to do, after the Supreme Court of America turns you down, go to the Hague !!? Accept the voters preferences, you and the Republican Party, the party of WMD, are no longer looked upon with any trust or credibility. You have squandered it, at least, in the last 8 years, and more !! Go back to your states and districts and listen to the citizens of the regions and hear them complain of the corporate takeover of America and how you shouldn't have sided with the corporate monoliths !! How you should have legislated for the people, not for the corporate bottomline !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | April 14, 2009 8:26 AM
The way the government is throwing money around these days, why doesn't Obama pay for another special election and in this way maybe all the votes would be counted correctly. It
really looks like another back room
democratic deal, very suspicious.
Posted by: Paul | April 14, 2009 9:14 AM
Senator Coleman: Do not do what is right for your state and country, do what is right for your ego. Let's drag this out until the next election why don't we? It's good to have such a sore loser as a role model in the senate representing the State of Minnesota isn't it? Makes me wonder why he REALLY doesn't want to give it up!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | April 14, 2009 9:49 AM
Unfortunately, this could go on for a while. 312 votes isn't a lot, especially when you're talking about all the votes in a whole state, so either side has a valid argument. And -- if the roles were reversed and Franken were the one contending the election results -- it's likely I'd support his argument. ERGO, I gotta have patience in this case, too. All I hope is that everything is done equitably, legally and above-board.
Posted by: Op109 | April 14, 2009 10:28 AM
It's been the GOP's game plan since the star that Coleman will take the case to the Supreme Court. I see no indication that is changing.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | April 14, 2009 10:43 AM
The new face of the Democratic Party...a washed up, loud mouth, obnoxious, arrogant ex-comedian pig! And the Democrats make fun of a class act like Sarah Palin!! Next in line for the Democrats....Michael Moore!!!!
Posted by: Joe | April 14, 2009 11:12 AM
Don,
Republicans were against lawyers before they were for them.
Posted by: C.Morris✈ | April 14, 2009 11:51 AM
Geez. . .can you imagine the flak Al Gore would have had heaped upon him (as well as the Democratic Party) if Gore had dragged out the 2000 presidential election like Coleman is doing?
Posted by: Janstress | April 14, 2009 12:37 PM
By the time Coleman bows out (obviously not gracefully), Franken will be relegated to the Senate Committee on Dog Catching as committee assignments are doled out by seniority.
This nixes any political clout Minnesota might capture and underscores the selfishness of Coleman's tactics.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | April 14, 2009 12:44 PM
Now Paul, Franken won the original count; he won the recount and all the court appeals. Only Coleman could want a new election, obviously.
Posted by: mort | April 14, 2009 5:56 PM
There is something about cold weather and Socialism that absolutely cannot be undone. Senator Coleman just needs to let it go. Some voting districts were recounted twice, some not at all. What kind of system is this?
One thing is for certain, at least at this geographical coordinate, and that is U cannot outsteal an election from a democrat. Senator Coleman just needs to Let It Be. But how can the People of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the homeland of HHH, elect a total unrepentant clown like Al Franken. This is one sure instance of getting the government that u deserve. What would HHH say about putting a goofball in the august body of the U.S. Senate for the next 6 years. On 2nd thought, maybe it is a perfect match-up, but still, U b weird Minnesota.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | April 14, 2009 10:46 PM
Republics;
Even worse losers than winners.
Posted by: C.Morris✈ | April 15, 2009 8:14 AM
Posted by Django: "But how can the People of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the homeland of HHH, elect a total unrepentant clown like Al Franken."
The same way they voted for a unrepentant sideshow freak wrestler as Governor...
Posted by: angelica | April 15, 2009 6:33 PM