Judges Begin Deliberations In Minnesota Senate Battle

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Judges began deliberating Friday in the dispute over Minnesota's vacant Senate seat, where they must decide if Republican Norm Coleman proved there were enough flaws in the election and a recount to invalidate Democrat Al Franken's 225-vote recount win.

Attorneys for both candidates delivered closing arguments earlier Friday, capping a seven-week trial that painstakingly dissected the closest Senate election in American history.

Franken lawyer Kevin Hamilton argued that Coleman, a former senator, had failed to offer enough evidence to enable him to overcome his Democratic challenger's lead.

"Their failure of proof is simply breathtaking," Hamilton said.

But Coleman's side urged the judges to give hundreds of voters whose absentee ballots were rejected the benefit of the doubt.

"All we need to prove, under your strict compliance standard, is that it is more likely than not that inside the envelope dwells the franchise of a proper voter," Coleman lawyer Joe Friedberg said. "More likely than not."

Stearns County Judge Elizabeth Hayden, one of three judges hearing the case, hinted earlier Friday that it could take some time.

"We have tried very hard not to make rulings in haste," she said.

The loser can appeal the panel's verdict directly to the state Supreme Court, or can launch a new lawsuit in federal court. And even those courts may not have the final say, because the rules of the U.S. Senate give it final approval over the seating of its members.

Coleman's side gave the court a list of 1,360 rejected ballots it believes to be valid. Hamilton said Coleman's team had proven its case on only six of them. By comparison, Hamilton argued that Franken's side had shown that 252 of its rejected ballots deserved counting.

Hamilton said the trial had seen 134 witnesses and 2,182 exhibits during 35 days in court. The binders and copies, he said, have "piled up like snowdrifts on the bookshelves, tables and floors of this courtroom."

Comments

[Hannah King]

The Republicans want to bankrupt Al. And they want to keep him out of the Senate so they can be more of a "no" force to be reckoned with. We Democrats need to get behind Al. Send him some money! To Al: use the money to run ads that ask Coleman to explain why he is under investigation for something that makes him a bad pick to replace Steele. Al it is time to go on the offensive. Make every day Coleman delays your admittance to the senate a day he'll regret. It is attack ad time. It's got to cost him to much to delay anymore.

Fellow Democrats -- we need Franken in the Senate NOW. Get him some moolah now so he can get sworn in quickly and support the President! If you want Employee Free Choice to pass, union supporters and leaders start pouring money into Al's campaign. We need this guy in the Senate as soon as possible. And, Coleman needs to know that Al has a big enough war chest to fight him all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. OK, get off your duffs and support Senator Franken NOW!

[Tommygun264]

The fat lady isn't singing just yet, but she's warming up. Buh-bye Normie!

[helpusa]

Minnesota and its people should be totally ashamed for allowing this to go on this long, they are being misrepresented and AL FRANKEN IS THE CLEAR WINNER. Get your signs out, rebel, picket, do all you can Minnesotians and GET AL FRANKEN SEATED. (I know it has been 39 degrees below zero there at times and that might be hard, but please do all you can to end this and get Franken seated. You can vote him out next time if he doesn't work out. )

[lynettema]

"Judges began deliberating Friday in the dispute over Minnesota's vacant Senate seat, "

It's about time!

[Tulka2]

The people of Minnisota must have a "sit down and shut up" culture. How else to explain their meekness? Polite to a fault? What is up with this? Has anyone done a poll inside Minnisota? What do Minnisotans think of the Republican party at this point? Because it looks to me they sit at the very epicenter of Republican obstructionism.

[CR46]

They are following their political laws that are in place. Too bad Florida didn't. Go Al Go!!!! And there is nothing meek about Minnesotans.

[GeoLee]

I only hope the judges, no matter their political persuasions, can make a legal decision based on the facts, unlike a certain United States Supreme Court case in 2000...a case that court should have refused to even hear.

[jinxed]

But poppy paid for it

[RickCoMatic]

Once Upon A Time The GOP Told Norm Coleman To Keep Al Franken Out Of The Senate!

Team Coleman did everything except actually strike a match and set The Constitution of The United States ablaze as part of the show! The brought-in some people who would do anything for a buck and had them get caught lying under oath and confessing to it on-the-record. One guy said he was blind and couldn't see where to sign his Absentee Ballot; then checked his watch and glanced-over at the three Judges and smiled. He had no problem signing an Affidavit right straight across the dotted line! Another woman came-in and coughed-up a handful of incriminating emails she and Team Coleman exchanged during the time she was being coached as to what to divulge and what not to mention if asked. She was busted by Franken Lawyers after getting caught throwing kisses and making sighs to the Coleman Bench during a break. "Miss would you tell the Court how you smudged your lipstick?" Team Coleman all instinctively checked to see that they weren't having a wardrobe malfunction.

[RickCoMatic]

Coleman Lawyers impugned the opponent, voters, Election volunteers, Election Judges, The Recount Canvassing Board, Minnesota Election Law, The Minnesota Supreme Court, violated Court Rulings, asked to set aside the Election, and then, just when you thought you have heard it all ... Motioned for the Supreme Court to Rule AGAINST ITSELF and reverse a recent Ruling; insulting the Court and being made subject to Sanctions when the Decision is made. Remember how I typed, "Just when you thought you have heard it all" a moment ago? It gets worse! How? The ONLY OTHER way for Team Coleman to show its contempt for that whole list typed earlier. With their Case Rested, ... they had a moment of clarity, and just kept on going with witnesses and evidence like they had NOT RESTED; to the Objection of Team Franken, The Judges and everybody who ever watched an episode of "Law and Order". They simply ignored the fact that their case had Rested,... washed the ball and teed-up getting ready to replay the back nine! If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes; I wouldn't have believed any of it. But, fortunately we have the Good People at "TheUpTake­.Org" that have the whole Fairy Tale recorded. Look for yourself.

[MintysMom]

It's obvious Minnesotans weren't thrilled with either candidate last November.

[RedKnuckles]

How can you say that? The turnout should be the measuring stick.... This race was hotly contested.

[ocalasatpro]

No, it's not. Obvious is the shining sun.

This is being dragged out for the sake of dragging. We so need another Senator to help the American cause. Hint: not Coleman.

[1murillo]

Mintys,
"It's obvious Minnesotans weren't thrilled with either candidate last November."

Your statement is meaningless.

[ReealOne]

This makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. The citizens in MN DESERVE congressional representation, but have not had it becaude Norm Coleman cannot accept that he was DEFEATED. He is under investigation, and WHEN this turns out like we think it will, he will have to resign from the seat ANYWAY, before being indicted, and probably sent off to jail.

Give it up Norm, there is NO HONOR in stalling with BS excuses. YOU LOST. Now do the honorable thing, and move over, and let the citizens of MN have the representative they deserve. This is not just about you.

ENOUGH of this nonsense ALREADY! Move along.

[johnnygoodwud]

stall, stall, stall

[TonyFairfax]

This is a ridiculous process that unfortunately does not only reflect the state of GOP, but also the bizarre behavior of the voters of the state of Minnesota who actually seriously considered sending back to DC Norm "Please buy me a new suit" Coleman, and even voted for Michele "no brain and proud of it" Bachmann. This is a state that has voted for every weirdo who ran in the last few years, and this is beyond comprehension. It may be better if we actually have a couple of rounds without any MN representa­tives/sena­tors.

[SOLERSO68]

There isnt going to be a re vote and normy knows it. It would impose a hardship on the people of minesota, and there is no reason for one. there has been no bad faith, or bad acting on the part of minnesota.­his last "hope" is appealing to the state supreme court. an action for which he would need to post a 3.5 million dollar appeal bond, or so ive read. we are dragging to the finish.

[ladygeek]

There is no provision in Minnesota election law for a do-over for any election. Not only that - one of his lawyers is Joe Friedberg who is a very pricey criminal lawyer - hmmm - maybe that's why Norm mortgaged his house for the 10th time - I have no idea how he will be able to appeal anything at this point. Even the National Repugs won't support him monetarily now. I doubt very much that the Minnesota State Court will even hear an appeal on this. Everyone wants Al in the US Senate.

[SOLERSO68]

thats good to know

[Willythssa Pierre-Louis]

this is getting boring...
(I bet that is the reaction the rep were hoping for..)

[roger37]

I disagree with a do-over. Franken and Coleman agreed to a recount, it was carried out properly, and Franken won by 225 votes. If Coleman appeals this, then it's the Rethugs that are simply using Coleman to be obstructionist so the Dems can't get their programs through.

[CR46]

Neither candidate agreed to a recount, it was automatic according to Minnesota election laws. And ther is no do-over in Minnesota election laws. Coleman is dragging this out because he is using campaign funds for his private attorneys and the GOP is donating to that fund to obstruct the seating of Senator Franken. It will be over soon and Al will be seated and carpet bagger Norm can move out of Minnesota.