The recount in Minnesota is over and now will move to the courts:
Norm Coleman’s term as a U.S. Senator ended at noon Washington time today, and by evening his hopes of winning a second term had been dealt an expected but serious setback as state officials counted previously rejected absentee ballots in St. Paul.
Democrat Al Franken held an unofficial lead of 225 votes over Coleman, according to a newspaper tally of officials’ count of the absentee ballots. Franken had led unofficially by 49 votes going into the day and gained a net 176 votes from the new ballots.
With the recount complete, focus immediately shifted to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which continued to consider a request from the Coleman campaign to alter the process and add more absentee ballots to be reconsidered. But by early evening there there was no word from the state’s highest court as to when it would rule or hear arguments.
Franken could be named as the winner as early as Tuesday (when the other senators will be sworn in), but Coleman has promised to challenge the result. Nevertheless, short of a miracle, Stuart Smalley is going to be a U.S. Senator. And that’s pretty cool.
Almost AS good to see that fuckin’ weasel Coleman losing.
Weasel describes him perfectly.
Having had him as my mayor once upon a time, I prefer giant slithering sack of pus.
Oh, so it was “Coleman” I had in my yard last year.
I can’t help wondering about the entire social structure of our Senate at this point. If you do a bunch of reading, you find that Reid was willing to give into the “nobless oblige” of the Senate and actually allow Coleman to remain in his office, retain his privileges. Harry Reid represents the sort of elitism that was embedded into the Constitution with the Founding Fathers. Let’s face it: The Senate remains a “Good Ole’ Boys’ Club!
Look at what’s happening: People like Webb and Franken are scaring the hell out of the Good Ole’ Boys’ Club. Next year, when the Republicans want to filibuster, they may actually have to find a phone book.
Franken…and the new guy from Denver…and Kennedy…and Webb…may actually be so crazy that they may believe in Democracy.
My fave comment of the evening was Kos’ message to BillO
The beautiful thing is that now Coleman is reduced to asking the courts to order a count of the very ballots that he said shouldn’t be counted in the first place.
asshole.
Coleman fits the phrase of “be careful what you ask for.”
Maureen Dowd and Thomas L. Friedman are off today.
Maybe it’s time America gives the hero/wise man/guru concept a rest.
Coleman is a slime ball to the bitter end. Senator Franken sounds awesome!!
Did anyone see this yet?
In an online video, former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe (D) officially confirmed his candidacy for Virginia governor, the Virginian-Pilot reports.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/01/03/mcauliffe_enters_race_for_virginia_governor.html
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“George Bush is a leader for our times. When we sing ‘God Bless America,’ it is a prayer, and I believe this person is part of God’s answer.”
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."How sweet it is! I hope Al goes on Letterman and refers to himself as “Landslide Al.” But really, it’s great to have Wellstone’s seat back in the hands of someone much more in line with Wellstone’s philosophy.
It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners — Albert Camus