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The end is near in the Coleman/Franken race?
Just saw this on MSNBC First Read...could the end be near in the Coleman/Franken race? Wow-look at the big bucks that were spent! Was it really worth it, Coleman?
*** The never-ending recount -- by the numbers: Are we
going to get a decision today from the Minnesota Supreme Court
regarding the state’s never-ending recount? It’s the last day of the
month, and we were led to believe the court would have a decision by
then. (Remember that the court heard oral arguments on June 1.) With
the race still unresolved, here’s a look at it by the numbers:
-- $51.1 million has been raised between Coleman and Franken for the entire campaign
-- $50.3 million has been spent between the two candidates
-- $11 million (at least) has been spent on the recount
-- 2,424,946 votes were cast
-- 312 votes separate the candidates (Franken leads)
-- 239 days since Election Day 2008
-- 34 weeks since Election Day 2008
-- 7 months, 27 days since Election Day 2008
-- 4 seasons seen since Election Day 2008 election
----
It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black
I've felt for a long time that because the population of the US has grown a lot since the constitution was written, that there should now be three senators in each state and one for all the territories and commonwealths.
Maybe they should institute this. It looks like it's the only way Minnesota will ever have two senators again.
"...there should now be three senators in each state and one for all the territories and commonwealths."
That would definitely require a constitutional amendment.
Maybe we should go to direct democracy, instead of representative democracy. That way, everyone could have a direct say in the way they are governed. And there would be a lot fewer elections. If only this were possible with 300 million people!
It's done, finally, the Court ruled Franken is the winner.
^^^^^^^
Golf11, NYC
Vero Possumus
http://twitter.com/Golf11
surrenderedconceded defeat. (Yeah, the idea's similar, but let's let the man have a tiny speck of dignity...)Speaking of former comedians becoming politicians, there's a mini-brouhaha in Japan between the Liberal Democratic Party and Nagasaki Gov. Higashikokubaru. The governor is a popular independent (like Jesse Ventura), and the LDP wanted him to run as a leglislative candidate for the lower house of Parliament. He replied, "Are you prepared to fight the election with me as a party presidential candidate?" (LDP President would be the rough equivalent of maybe the RNC Chairman-- I'm not too familiar with Japanese party politics). For an American context, imagine Bobby Jindal accepting a hypothetical RNC request to run for Senate on the condition of allowing him to bypass Senate seniority and becoming the caucus (Minority or Majority) leader.
Needless to say, the LDP brass are absolutely livid that he would make such a condition, and I believe Prime Minister Taro Aso called him "an idiot" (rough paraphrase). It is, however, a brilliant political move, since he can press a reform agenda if the LDP accepts, or the DPJ can pick him up if they refuse, depriving the LDP of another popular candidate.
----It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black
Okay, someone shut off the Coleman stove... Norm's done!
I said this in 2000 and I will say it yet again, about time!
Seriously though I don't see what good this long legal battle did for Coleman's camp, Franken's camp, or the people caught in between, the people of Minnesota. Finally it is over and Franken can now take his seat.
Genuine props to Coleman for conceding and congratulating Franken today.
There is plenty of far right money eager to support even a losing, drawn out appeal in federal court that would keep Franken out of the Senate long for the health care debate and the Supreme Court nominee fight. GOOD FOR COLEMAN.
Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Democrat Al Franken in Minnesota's contested Senate race on Tuesday, ending a nearly eight-month recount and court fight over an election decided by only a few hundred votes.
Oh come on! Let's take it all the way to the SCOTUS just for fun!
Source: Saint Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report
Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to sign Sen. Al Franken's election certificate today.
In a statement issued just a few minutes ago, the governor said:
“The Minnesota Supreme Court has today addressed the issues surrounding the accuracy and integrity of our election system during the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota. In light of that decision and Senator Coleman’s announcement that he will not be pursuing an appeal, I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law.
“I would like to thank Senator Coleman for his service. As state solicitor general, mayor of Saint Paul and United States senator, he has been an extraordinary leader and public servant for Minnesota. “I also want to congratulate Al Franken and wish him well as he serves the people of Minnesota.”
Source: Star Tribune
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed Franken's certificate of election at 6:15 p.m."
Central time
AL Franken, with his wife Franni at his side, talked with the media outside their Minneapolis home Tuesday afternoon.
Since Norm Coleman's concession speech has been posted, here's a link to Senator-elect Al Franken's victory speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAo8Ufq0B2I
You wouldn't believe some of the vile comments posted on foxnews tonight (because of Franken's win). One guy said something like, he celebrated Franken's victory by firing a couple of employees of his because they're Democrats and he plans to fire more people simply because of their party affiliation! Ridiculous! Hannity apparently has a countdown to Election Day 2012! Wow, he needs to chill out, seriously!! I guess now he knows how I felt during Bush's 1st term (I couldn't wait until Election Day 2004). This whole episode makes me think of 2000. If the Democrats had pursued the post election recount battle with the same tenacity and vigor that they did this senate seat, another person named Al, might have won. While I don't think Gore would have been perfect, anything (even a box of wheat thins) would have been a step up! I guess hindsight always is 20/20!
This should have ended months ago and it probably has ruined or at least extremely tainted Coleman's future political ambitions.
Anyone who would fire someone because of their party affiliation is below pond scum in my book.
Al Gore did the right thing back in 2000. Because of the way the Supreme Court ruled and the fact that Florida had a Republican governor (Jeb Bush) and a majority Republican state legislature, it would have been almost impossible for Gore to have ever been declared the victor in 2000. His concession speech is probably his finest moment as a politician.
I agree with you 100% on that, Brandon.
I also do not agree with those who think SCOTUS was wrong in its ruling to end the recount, and declare George Bush the winner in Florida, and thus the 43rd president. The court had to think about the hour (it was already December, and the transition had not yet begun because of the recounts). I don't believe the court had any other viable option.
Noise"News"corp talking heads go "pop"?Goes great with popcorn.
----It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black