Franken Asking Court to Certify Him as Winner
EmailABC News’ Teddy Davis and Ferdous Al-Faruque Report:
Democrat Al Franken is headed to court to demand he get a Senate election certificate after failing to get one on Monday from Minnesota’s Republican governor and Democratic secretary of state.
"The recount is now complete, and therefore we believe a certificate should be issued," Franken attorney Marc Elias told reporters on Tuesday.
Franken’s request for an election certificate was rejected because Minnesota state law prohibits certifying an election results while a legal challenge is taking place.
Elias told reporters on Tuesday that the comedian-turned-politician isn’t trying to stop the court case from going forward.
He says Franken should be able to serve in the Senate while the lawsuit moves forward because every state is entitled to two senators under the U.S. Constitution.
"We are not arguing in this petition to mute Coleman’s case," said Elias. "All we are seeking is that Minnesotans have full representation in a time of great activity in Washington, D.C."
Lawyers for Norm Coleman, the Republican incumbent, are contesting the result put forward by a state recount panel last week which had Franken on top by 225 votes.
The Coleman campaign quickly reacted, labeling Franken’s initial request for certification from state officials "the epitome of arrogance" and his Tuesday request for a court to certify him "a power play."
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concede norm! you’ll never be a US senator again. Take a hint!
Posted by: dem in chicago | January 13, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Just how far is Minnesota from Illinois? Has Minnesota gone mad in choosing a washed-up, extreme left comedian whose whole life is dedicated to spewing hate on TV, radio and books? His only purpose in running for office is to spew more hate. However, there is a major difference between the two states: Illinois has a long history of putting idiots in power while, Minnesota may be suffering a momentary lapse in intelligent thinking.
Posted by: Mihann | January 13, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
One man’s idiot is another’s genious. I have never heard Franken “spew hate.” In fact, just the opposite. He advocates a more inclusive society, unlike his opposition who seem to want to divide the world into “Us and Them” and the “With and Without.”
Posted by: Mark from Atlanta | January 13, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
What were the people in Minnesota thinking when they voted for that loser?
Posted by: ROMAN | January 13, 2009, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm
Hey Normy.
quit already will ya.
Posted by: Omentum | January 13, 2009, 11:39 pm 11:39 pm
Al Franken needs no certification that
he is a “winner”. He’s a winner in
‘omentum’s’ view….and that is good
enough for me. It should be good enough
for any clear-thinking American.
Posted by: grizzly bare | January 14, 2009, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm