Coleman And Franken Gird For Recount In Minnesota Senate Race

New York Times:

The vote gap between the two candidates in Minnesota's still-undecided Senate race -- the longest, closest and costliest in state history -- has narrowed since Election Day, but the hostility and vitriol surrounding the race seem to grow by the hour.

A record 2.9 million Minnesotans went to the polls on Nov. 4. Unofficial returns the next morning showed the incumbent Republican senator, Norm Coleman, with a 725-vote lead over his Democratic challenger, the comedian Al Franken. Since then, as county canvassers certified results and election errors were corrected, that lead dwindled to 206 votes, seven-thousandths of 1 percent.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[fireW]

How does Coleman get away with criticizing the (MN state law) recount legal mandate? Yet he wants to represent a state whose laws he doesn't even believe in. What a joke; and the "values" voters are trying to re-elect him? What the *%#@! is wrong with republicans?

[JerryInGladstoneOregon]

Oh no, a democrat is in charge of the recount? Is this a first? What happened to the debacle in Florida in 2000 when the infamous Kathleen Harris, Republican, was in charge? How about Ohio in 2004 where the Republican was in charge? Both of those states did a terrible job of making sure all of the votes were counted and that everyone's voice was heard. Of course Republicans are upset about a Democrat being in charge... I mean, the votes might actually get counted this time.
If when the votes are all counted, Coleman wins, so be it... but let's at least make sure they're all counted. It is what this country is supposed to stand for.

[DeanSmithLegend]

An interesting question to ask about this race:

http://www.informativepost.com/2008/11/11/Did-Tina-Fey-Help-Al-Franken-Win-or-Lose-2300.htm

[Tommygun2146]

You're going down, Coleman!
(and not in the good way)

[CR46]

Good luck Al!!! Thank goodness Paper Ballots can be recounted easily. And to our Georgia friends here on the board, I'm rooting for you and Mr. Martin, I hope it is a fair election there!!!

[majii]

Early voting begins in GA on Wednesday. We need to keep Chambliss out of the Senate. If you know anyone in GA, please send them an email or give them a call reminding them that they can vote EARLY in the runoff between Martin & Chambliss.

[Okieborn]

I am an Okie and proud to say "GO AL FRANKEN" KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT !!!!

[wendynyc]

MSNBC and several commentators keep bringing up 60 as the magic number. I believe Barack is going to make decisions with consensus. He will bring along some Republicans for every major bill that he signs. So the 60 number seems a moot issue.

[mamacat]

I suspect that the comedian, Mr. Franken, would do a much better job for the people of Minnesota than the professional bribe taker known as the GOP candidate, but that's just my opinion.

[marijam]

Republicans don't want the votes to be counted because they know the odds favor Franken.

[Oldbuck]

I am a Al Franken supporter but all I want is a fair count and think his chances are good that the reason Coleman is fighting this so hard.

[rabiddog6708]

Coleman has been fighting this recount all the way. He knows that odds favor Al Franken. Like Bush, he would rather win than have all the votes counted.

[TurkerB]

Agree. Coleman protests too much and has pulled too many antics to be put back into office.

I hope Al Franken wins the seat, increases democratic representation in the Senate (hopefully to 60), and sends Coleman back to Minnesota in defeat and future insignificance.

[johnnyjust]

Thank God for those 206 people.

[javaJimmy]

God is not a Republican. George W Bush is proof of that.

[Veratruth]

No truer words have been spoken for eight years ... proof that sins will be revealed, although, God often allows us plenty of time to change courses. God, please keep President-Elect Obama on the right track.

[weatherwaxx]

Republican definition of vote fraud: counting all ballots

Republican definition of a fair election: WE WIN.

The voting machines Minnesota uses already flunked the accuracy test. A hand-count is the only way to get at the truth.

An accurate count in 2000, in Florida, would have meant President Al Gore... that's why Jeb Bush destroyed the ballots.

GO, AL!

[DFL]

A WIN BY AL WOULD MAKE UP FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO WELLSTONE AND MAKE UP FOR BACHMAN GETTING BACK IN AGAIN.

[CR46]

As a democrat and a friend of Paul's NOTHING can make up for his assassination!!! But I hope Al kicks butt!!