Minnesota Supreme Court Backs Franken
Email ABC's David Chalian reports: The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of comedian-turned-Democratic candidate Al Franken in his prolonged battle to become a US Senator. Out of more than 2.4 million votes cast, Franken bested Republican Norm Coleman by 312 votes. Today’s court ruling appears to be the near final step in this extremely extended process. Mr. Franken’s defeat over Sen. Coleman provides Democrats with a super-majority in the United States Senate with 60 seats on their side of the aisle. President Obama clearly won’t be able to count on all 60 votes on every single issue, but it certainly provides a boost to the White House and Harry Reid as they enter into policy negotiations with the Republican leadership in the Senate. It takes 60 votes to cut off a filibuster in the United States Senate. The seating of Al Franken potentially robs an embattled Republican Party of one of the strongest weapons of opposition in its arsenal. “The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve. After all the votes have been counted and recounted, the Minnesota Supreme Court has made the final determination that Minnesotans have chosen Al Franken to help their state and our country get back on track,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). It’s been 239 days since Minnesota voters headed to the polls to vote for a United States Senator. In that time, Barack Obama filled his Cabinet (including three Commerce Secretary nominations), Caroline Kennedy considered and declined the chance to become a US Senator, Congress passed a whopping $787 billion stimulus package, Arlen Specter became a Democrat, and Michelle Obama planted and harvested a White House vegetable garden. “We’ve always said that Norm Coleman deserved his day in court, and he got eight months. Now we expect Governor Pawlenty to do the right thing, follow the law, and sign the election certificate,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). In an appearance on CNN on Sunday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) indicated that he was ready to sign the election certificate Al Franken would need to be seated in the United States Senate if the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that he should do so. “I'm prepared to sign it as soon as they give the green light," Gov. Pawlenty told CNN on Sunday. It appears the court ruled that Gov. Pawlenty should do just that. “We affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled. . . to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota,” wrote the court in its ruling today.
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) found himself ahead of Franken by 215 votes at the conclusion of the vote canvass in mid-November 2008. The margin between the two candidates was less than one half of one percent which automatically triggered a recount. At the conclusion of the recount in January 2009, Franken had overtaken Coleman’s lead and the Minnesota State Canvassing Board certified the election results with a 225 vote victory for the Democrat. The next day, the Coleman campaign filed a lawsuit in Minnesota state court contesting the results of the election. The three judge panel that heard the Coleman contest allowed for consideration of only approximately 400 wrongly rejected absentee ballots. Coleman’s legal team had argued for a far wider universe of thousands of absentee ballots to be reexamined because of what the Coleman campaign believed to be different treatment of absentees in different counties. It was this decision to limit the scope of consideration to merely 400 absentee ballots that served as a definitive blow to the Coleman campaign. At the conclusion of the three-judge panel’s work, it declared Al Franken the top vote-getter by a margin of 312 votes. The Coleman campaign appealed the three-judge panel ruling to the full Minnesota Supreme Court which heard oral arguments in the case on June 1. UPDATE: Coleman conceded defeat shortly after 4 pm ET — bringing the last race of the 2008 campaign to a close. "I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States Senator – Al Franken," Coleman said.
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Whew! It’s about time. Congrats Senator Franken.
Posted by: Michael Richter | June 30, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
Hang on to what is left in your coin purse.
Posted by: GladTheyCanSaveUs | June 30, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
Great! How fast can he get to Washington?
Posted by: TF Parker | June 30, 2009, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Michael you voted for the left. People like you need to have your head examined. Stars, should not be elected officials. They do not know what the middle class needs.
Posted by: canebuc27 | June 30, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
it is really sad. I gues he will fit right in with all the other clowns we have in Congress. Is he going to introduce himself as ‘Franken, Al Franken”?
Posted by: mj | June 30, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Coleman has already demonstrated his disrespect for Minnesota by forcing this to the Supreme Court, want to bet he’ll go on to the US Supreme Court?
Plus, Pawlenty will do anything to pander to the GOP base, so I bet he refuses to sign off on Franken.
Posted by: JR | June 30, 2009, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
Free Iran & Minnesota
Posted by: Freedom | June 30, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Yes! Now we can finally get on with the business of increasing taxes to pay for all of the programs that are waiting in the wings. It’s time America learned who is in charge. The working people of this country owe the poor for all of the suffering they go through each and every day!
Posted by: mojo | June 30, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Suprise, Suprise, Of course he finally won. What Obama wants Obama gets. No real difference he can just sell America faster.
Posted by: HWS | June 30, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Thank you ACORN..
Posted by: Freedom | June 30, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Minn just became a joke, and American loses
Posted by: mac | June 30, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Send in the clown!
Posted by: sexygop | June 30, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
I hope he introduces himself as, “Franken, Senator Franken”.
Posted by: JR | June 30, 2009, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Like Ronald Reagan?
Blanket statements like that are what bigotry is made of.
Posted by: RickNYC | June 30, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Minn. became a joke when Coleman refused to step aside, America just won.
Posted by: JR | June 30, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
YAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!! Republicans may as well grab their hats and go out and have some affairs. They’re going to be doing a lot of sitting in the basement.
Posted by: Eric | June 30, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
GOD HELP ALL OF US NOW.. THIS IS A TIME WE ALL NEED GOD not more Democrats
Posted by: Alice | June 30, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
I’m from MN
I doubt if Normie will challenge this any further.
The Gov seat in now open with Pawlenty bowing out before he gets forced out.
Norm will likely take a stab at running for Govornor again…….Jesse Venture beat him last time.
Heck….the only reason Norm was our senator in the first place was because Senator Wellstone died in a plance crash a week before the last election.
Normie was handed the election because there wasn’t enough time for the dems to get someone in place for the election.
Normie won by default……..HE NEVER would have won as Wellstone was a very popular senator up here.
Posted by: melchg | June 30, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Let’s hope that he shows more ability as a senator than a third rate comedy writer. Minnesota should be proud – look how well Saturday Night Live turned out!
Posted by: Art LaMent | June 30, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Let me get this straight…the USA is worried about Iranian elections? uhm…
Posted by: George | June 30, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Great just what Congress, another commedian
Posted by: jenny | June 30, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
And this, folks, is how to steal an election the democrat way: Double-count votes, discredit your opponents valid votes, create votes for yourself and then freeze the recount as soon as you’re ahead.
Don’t get me wrong, Coleman is an idiot for letting it happen, but make no mistake – this election was stolen.
Posted by: Erik | June 30, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
WOO HOO! Way to go Franken. Alice, you crack me up. Isn’t what’s going on now God’s will? Seems to me it is. Satan is gone, good prevails!
Posted by: neutralone | June 30, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
One more idiotic #### in the Senate. What is wrong with Minnesota? Franken is nothing but an over-the-hill unfunny comedian. At least Coleman is a decent guy.
Posted by: Doc Savage | June 30, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
LMAO!!! Just what the people of this Nation need now that most who voted for this new administration are beginning to see not the cracks but holes blasted open. Now that half of your time is gone, please don’t come in mach 5 with your hair on fire. That time has passed. Good luck Al but don’t do anything dumb as to bring any Republican’s back .
Posted by: Seymour | June 30, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Hey Alice…there will be more DEMS in 2010 and 2012…just wait and see. You may have to move to Alaska, since Alsaka is so close to Russia; you know the statement so finish it.
Posted by: Otto | June 30, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Our state has already decided on changing the election process so this doesn’t happen again. It will be a run off election from here on out.
However for those of you that are bashing our State for this election, you essentially are bashing the entire foundation of our country.
Lets see elections and judicial review/process.
I guess the rest of the country is oblivious to that, but I rather let things play out all the way out and have the correct person win.
Posted by: melchg | June 30, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Normie won by default……..HE NEVER would have won as Wellstone was a very popular senator up here.
Posted by: melchg | Jun 30, 2009 2:44:24 PM
Oh but Al Frankin did win. Enough said about MN.
Posted by: gee | June 30, 2009, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
IT’S THE END OF THE USA AS WE KNOW IT!!!!!!!!! And we all thought we were scared now just wait. YOU dump people who voted for this guy and that Guy in the White House. You wanted CHANGE well CHANGE IS COMMING.
Posted by: Heidi | June 30, 2009, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
Franken is an angry mean person. MN you deserve what you got.
Posted by: amanda | June 30, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
Look on the bright side: with Obama in the White House, a supermajority in the Senate, and a majority in the House, the Democrats will finally have nobody to blame but themselves. Not that they won’t try.
Posted by: Dave | June 30, 2009, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Another progressive Victory! America has spoken and so has Minnesota! Now let’s take back America from those greedy, selfish, self-righteous, thieves of the past.
Posted by: DJR - Albany, NY | June 30, 2009, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
The Republicans have only themselves to blame.
Posted by: Sangradouro | June 30, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
I didn’t like either one of them….
Posted by: Texas Libertarian | June 30, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
I bet money that Coleman will waste taxpayer money and take this to the supreme court. He has 10 days to file and he’s stupid enough to do it. Get OVER IT COLEMAN….you lost !
Posted by: Jeanne | June 30, 2009, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Well the decline of the American empire is now complete.
Make room third world!
Posted by: jb | June 30, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Let ME get this straight – our country is only suppose to run off one mind set? People are no longer free to vote their personal conscience without being attacked? Does this go along with everyone is a winner whether you say and do, for lack of a better word, stupid things? Republican or Democrat,ideas are influenced by the social climate. I see in blogs more people are about ME, ME, ME – if you don’t see it my way then you are the one that don’t have it right. Without thinking along political party lines, has anyone in this blog looked at the whole picture – judicial, legislative and executive? or have they thrown out that part of our government? It has nothing to do with a political party. It has to do with accountability. Saying mean and nasty things about a political party and a member of that party shows ignorance and a lack of concern for the whole picture. Instead of mouthing off green phlegm in a blog, write to your local political leaders and hold them accountable. When have you done that?
Posted by: moderate | June 30, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Now you greedy republicans will sit back down and give us the money we need to run our programs. You will no longer be making money off of the backs of the working poor of this country. What’s fair is fair. Maybe now those who live in big fancy rich houses, will no longer look down on real Americans. We will have our share!
Posted by: mojo | June 30, 2009, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
Al Franken is a rabid liberal, unsuccessful comedian and radio talk show host. He will fit right into the new politburo to hasten the destruction of the U.S. We now live in a country controlled by a one party (socialist) government. If you question this, just look up socialism. Again I say, “Welcome to the USSA”.
Posted by: Robert Weathers | June 30, 2009, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
So what is left to do besides the Minnesota official who certifies elections calling it official? Will this get done before the 4th of July recess is over?
Posted by: GreggW | June 30, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Yeah, more liberals is just what we need! Now if we can just make Dennis Kucinich president, and get more progressives, socialists, and greens in office, we’ll be headed in the right direction, which is leftist. Less Republicans = less trouble!
Posted by: Marie | June 30, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Ladies and gentlemen….LIVE..from Washington D.C….it’s the “UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LIVE”!! The joke is on us!
Posted by: Daniel | June 30, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Al Franken is a rabid liberal, unsuccessful comedian and radio talk show host. He will fit right into the new politburo to hasten the destruction of the U.S. We now live in a country controlled by a one party (socialist) government. If you question this, just look up socialism. Again I say, “Welcome to the USSA”.
That’s Sen. Franken is a rabid liberal,
Posted by: RC | June 30, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Wise comment “George”
Posted by: Republic Defender | June 30, 2009, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Pawlenty still needs to certify and he’s a GOP 2012 Presidential hopeful, so don’t bust out the champagne just yet, but do go ahead and get it chilled. If Pawlenty does not certify today, get prepared to swamp his office with angry phone calls starting first thing tomorrow am.
Posted by: AustinSuzie | June 30, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
If Mojo would only go get a job (education first) and contribute to society like the rest of America, paying excessive taxes, they too can BORROW a decent home!
Posted by: Daniel | June 30, 2009, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
I’ve been dabbling with politics for several months now and I’m considering running for office. After high school I took up a career in pro wrestling where they called me the “Prince of Pain”. That didn’t work out so well. After that ran it’s course I became a circus clown for a number of years. Now I know I was no Jesse Ventura or Al Franken, but considering my background as a wrestler and a clown, I thought Minnesota would be the obvious choice to start my political career. Being that you Minnesotan’s tend to vote for wrestlers and clowns, I was wondering if any of you think I’d have a chance in Minnesota politics?
Posted by: spread the wealth | June 30, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm
Hmmm? You mean stars like Ronnie Raygun, Fred Thompson and Arnold, I’ll Be Back Terminator? How soon dittoheads forget. Can you say , Senator Al Franken, infamous author of Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot. See what walking the walk instead of just talking the talk can do for you!
Posted by: Denise | June 30, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm
Sheesh … talk about a sore loser!
Posted by: Kierra | June 30, 2009, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
onto the us supreme court. too much at stake and to give obabble a rubber stamp is very dangerous.
Posted by: catman | June 30, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Finally! Glad he got in. Im from MN and am neither a Rep. or Dem. But I can say the Rep. have surely messed up the USA for everyone. Bush was a bully, war monger and in it for power and money and nothing else! He was getting as bad as the foreign dictators he went after. Lets hope the Dem. can try to get us out of this God awful mess he created.
Posted by: Nancy | June 30, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
How anti-America can one be when someone says “America lost” because a court determine that Minnesota should get the Senator that the people elected??? This is the United States, where a person is elected by a majority of votes not what you as an individual wants. Perhaps these same people should go live in Iran where the election process would be more to their liking.
Posted by: Bill | June 30, 2009, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Sniff,sniff,and Boo hoo for Coleman.
About time something happened! I feel sorry for all the Repub’s that gave him additional money to push it this far! Ha,Ha!
10 bucks says Coleman,Pawlenty,and the GOP,will try to force this to the US Supreme Court.
Minn.voter’s and the Dem’s = 1
Coleman,and the GOP = 0
And to Mr. Coleman from the Senate cleaning service:
Please collect your stuff stored in the basement, or it will be disposed of on a timely basis!
Posted by: waterdoc | June 30, 2009, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Franken is a squirrely guy….but he’s
sure got his Acorns in a row. The walls
of the Senate chamber will shudder when
this munchkin saunters in…..talking
about defining deviancy down in this
once proud country.
Posted by: Trajan | June 30, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
OH…I get it
when Republicans win contested races it’s the right thing for America and when Democrats win it was stolen.
Posted by: watching | June 30, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
Karl Rove must be ripping his hair out now.
Posted by: Brad J. Bethel | June 30, 2009, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
Dave | Jun 30, 2009 2:56:25 PM
You said; “Look on the bright side: with Obama in the White House, a supermajority in the Senate, and a majority in the House, the Democrats will finally have nobody to blame but themselves. Not that they won’t try.”
______________
This will be SO ALIEN to you, but President Obama and this Administration (and Congress) will Continue to attempt to achieve Bipartisanship, as they legislate policies. And that’s because it’s THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!! And they won’t be doing that “as a cover”, to point fingers, if and/or when policies fail.”
Posted by: bobj72 | June 30, 2009, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
Another idiot goes to Washington.
Posted by: H Koski | June 30, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
I see the republicans are back at it… putting their spin on! They say stars and celebrities shouldn’t be in office… but conspicuously don’t mention Jesse Ventura, Ronald Reagan, or Arnold Schwarzenegger (all of which are republican incidentally!) The remaining 20% republican population doesn’t understand that before Rush and before Cheney, there were actually MODERATES in the conservative party. Most of them are now considered rightwing democrats, thanks to an effective campaign to kick them out of an increasingly fascist party.
Posted by: Troy Street | June 30, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
Are they really going to make this guy a senator?
Franken’s radio show was a flop because few wanted to hear his boring anti-American drivel, but that didn’t stop the DNC from putting this bozo on the ballot. And they were going to do the same for Chris Tingle Matthews until polls revealed widespread revulsion at the thought.
Then Team Obama and their MSM allies mocked mere “entertainer” Rush Limbaugh for having significant influence in the GOP. The DNC even ran TV ads to trash him… when he’s never even thought about running for office, to the best of my knowledge.
So a failed entertainer’s OK for Democratic Senator… but a successful conservative one isn’t even allowed to have influence? -please
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | June 30, 2009, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
God bless us, every one……
Posted by: runescape gold | June 30, 2009, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm