Al Franken wins Minnesota (sorta)

[mook]

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S877958.shtml?cat=1

T. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota court confirmed Monday that Democrat Al Franken won the most votes in his 2008 Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman. The ruling isn't expected to be the final word because Coleman immediately announced plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. He has 10 days to do so. That appeal could mean weeks more delay in seating Minnesota's second senator.
"It's time that Minnesota like every other state have two" senators, a jovial Franken said outside his Minneapolis town home with his wife, Franni, at his side. "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. Franken actually gained more votes from the election challenge than Coleman, the candidate who brought it.
The state law Coleman sued under merely required three judges to determine who got the most votes and is therefore entitled to an election certificate. That critical certificate is on hold pending appeal, and GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty has hedged when asked if he'll deliver it after the state courts are done reviewing the case.
"The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the November 4, 2008 election was conducted fairly, impartially, and accurately," the judges wrote in their unanimous opinion. "There is no evidence of a systematic problem of disenfranchisement in the state's election system, including in its absentee-balloting procedures."

 

[mook]

As a Democrat, I'm more embarrassed for Franken than ever. How on earth did Democrats in that state have to come to this? Just nominate a stapler, a toaster, or a hood ornament, call it Democrat, and it would've won in that election. Instead they had to prove some weird point that the right is so fucked up that even left wing nutjobs like Franken can win. Which is probably going to prove true, but was it a point really worth making?

 

[MARIS61]

Coleman should give it up already.

He's pretty much destroyed any chance of continuing his political career through his petty refusal to accept defeat.

Look for him to host a regional Fox News program soon.

 

[Denny Crane]

As a Democrat, I'm more embarrassed for Franken than ever. How on earth did Democrats in that state have to come to this? Just nominate a stapler, a toaster, or a hood ornament, call it Democrat, and it would've won in that election. Instead they had to prove some weird point that the right is so fucked up that even left wing nutjobs like Franken can win. Which is probably going to prove true, but was it a point really worth making?

Officially the party of clowns now.

 

[speeds]

Officially the party of clowns now.

The court jesters speak the truth.

 

[44Thrilla]

Jesse Ventura is probably kicking himself for not coming out of seclusion and running against these two bozos.

 

[Anima]

Coleman should give it up already.

He's pretty much destroyed any chance of continuing his political career through his petty refusal to accept defeat.

Look for him to host a regional Fox News program soon.

Last I heard Republicans what to oust Michael Steel and make Coleman their RNC chair once all of the appeals are exhausted (which is going to take awhile since the RNC is paying most of Coleman's legal fees), although I doubt replacing one douche for another is going to help their images problems in the slightest.

 

[mook]

Last I heard Republicans what to oust Michael Steel and make make Coleman their RNC chair once all of the appeals are exhausted (which is going to take awhile since the RNC is paying most of Coleman's legal fees), although I doubt replacing one douche for another is going to help their images problems in the slightest.

Is Coleman black? Because if Republicans learned one thing from the election, it's that you need a black guy to win.

(Seriously. I really doubt they learned anything else.)

 

[Anima]

The few black Republicans the RNC has are already calling for him to resign, including Ada Fisher and many in the RNC feel that he is going to alienate the RNC's strongest base which are white, male, Christian voters with his views on abortion (he said in an interview that it's an individual choice), gay marriage (he thinks it should be state decided issue), gun control, affirmative action, etc.

In mind of the RNC it comes down to which is more important, securing the votes they already have or trying to MAYBE get a couple more. Whether or not they would get any significant increase in votes is a huge question mark in it's own right because of the way black Republicans are traditionally viewed by their African American peers.

 

[maxiep]

Yep, if you're black you MUST think exactly one way. Now which side plays identity politics again?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

As a Democrat, I'm more embarrassed for Franken than ever. How on earth did Democrats in that state have to come to this? Just nominate a stapler, a toaster, or a hood ornament, call it Democrat, and it would've won in that election. Instead they had to prove some weird point that the right is so fucked up that even left wing nutjobs like Franken can win. Which is probably going to prove true, but was it a point really worth making?

While I may agree with this, the fact is he won the election and should be seated in the US Senate. If he proves to be as big a boob as he comes across as then he'll be replaced.

 

[Sug]

Officially the party of clowns now.

Just imagine if the Dems icon was a retired Hollywood actor...

 

[MARIS61]

Is Coleman black? Because if Republicans learned one thing from the election, it's that you need a black guy to win.

(Seriously. I really doubt they learned anything else.)

They have one (Powell), but he voted for Obama.