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Home › Politics

Al Franken for Senator | 04/01/2009 8:45 am

Al Franken One Step Closer to Being Senator

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP


We’re glad we don’t live in Minnesota, because that state has only had one senator for the past four months. And the battle continues.

The state Supreme Court yesterday sided with former "Saturday Night Live" actor Al Franken, who’s been fighting to oust incumbent Republican Norm Coleman over absentee ballots ever since last November’s super close election.

Coleman appealed Franken’s 225-vote victory, but so far things aren’t going his way. In yesterday’s ruling a panel of judges rejected Coleman’s call to count up to 1,400 absentee ballots that he claimed had been incorrectly rejected. They did order 400 absentee ballots to be opened and counted, but many of those were ones that Franken claimed had been improperly rejected. Those 400 will be opened and counted on April 7, and while it’s mathematically possible Coleman could pull it out, it’s highly improbable.

After the ruling Franken’s lawyer, Mark Elias, told reporters "We are obviously pleased." And Coleman’s lawyer? Benjamin Ginsberg, who worked on Bush v Gore, said his indefatigable client would appeal if things don’t go his way. So when will the 2.9 million Minnesotans who voted have a senator? Definitely by Christmas. We hope.

Read more about: Al Franken, Court, Court Ruling, Election, Minnesota, News Norm Coleman, Politics, senate

13 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Mel Berg
GO AL !!!
By Mel Berg on 04/01/2009 9:34 am
Slinky Binx
Talk about sore loser, Norm Coleman needs stop all this bs, man up and admit defeat.  Sheesh, that’s what politics is, you win some, you lose some. 
By Slinky Binx on 04/01/2009 10:29 am
Rachel F
If Coleman had really lost, sure. But he didn’t. He won fair and square, until all sorts of "strange" ballots started showing up. Like tons of pro-Franken ballots with the wrong date, mysteriously "found". Or more ballots than voters in Democratic districts that — coincidentally — pushed Franken into the lead. Coleman should fight this to the end — this is much more than winning or losing a Senate seat; it’s about preserving the rights of real voters and fighting the cheaters who would invent votes simply to win a seat for their side.
By Rachel F on 04/02/2009 10:37 am
Slinky Binx

Then why are all the courts ruling against Coleman?  All the courts are unfairly biased towards Franken?  If this were as you say, Coleman’s case would have been a slam dunk, end of story off to Washington.  Instead we have all these political and legal machinations trying to stall the inevitable.  I still think he needs to man up and concede the election. Right now he looks like a whiney loser.  JMO. 

 

By Slinky Binx on 04/03/2009 3:08 pm
C. Aune
Coleman is being pushed to keep up the fight by the behind the scenes republican establishment. They have an irrational fear of Al Franken, LOL
By C. Aune on 04/01/2009 11:17 am
S G
Seat Franken already:)
By S G on 04/01/2009 11:42 am
sharyn ackerman
I find this difficult to believe that the DCC have not put this conundrum to rest and seated Franken.  This is outrageous , and what is wrong with the senate and house that they are not getting this settled? I hope that this is not the wave of the future.  Weren’t we fooled enough when Bush V Gore was totally illegal???
By sharyn ackerman on 04/01/2009 12:14 pm
S G
AGREED:)
By S G on 04/01/2009 12:16 pm
Belinda Joy
Politics is filled with past and present entertainers that made the transition to political positions. Al Franken is living proof that you can be an entertainer and still hold compelling and strong views that make them ideal for a spot in a political office. Let us not forget one of our most famous actors went on to be president of the United States, and to this day is the poster-boy for the Republican Party. I hope Al does win; he seems like the type of person that takes his opinions and objectives seriously.
By Belinda Joy on 04/01/2009 1:53 pm
Cheryl Mitchell
Congress needs to get on with this already.  Seat the man.
By Cheryl Mitchell on 04/01/2009 2:05 pm
Deborah Kramer
Unbelievable!  The posters here want a SNL (old SNL, suppose-of-ly a comedian) for those poor souls in Minnesotta?  What has happened to us in Our America?  He is so gross, mean, insultaing, and definitely Not a Politician, Ever in his Life!  It has been just a stunt and that is all.  The very few, previous celebrities that have ran for offce and actually won, at least had been involved in politics and stood for something!  He is nothing- But a Fat and Mean joke.  It is sickening.  Wake up people, especially those of you who vote in Minn.  He isn’t even an entertainer!
By Deborah Kramer on 04/01/2009 6:35 pm
katywon LA..

Poor Minnesotans will have to do without representation in DC for now.

Look at your past history of governors and figure out why you vote in comedians.

In fact Franken is quite smart and funny and he might surprise you. 

By katywon LA.. on 04/01/2009 10:55 pm
Nelle Lesser
You win some, You lose some.  Obviously some people have a problem with that last side of the equation!!!
By Nelle Lesser on 04/03/2009 11:52 am