Al Franken Sent $95,000 By Republicans

WASHINGTON — In the last chapter of a stinging loss to now-Sen. Al Franken, Minnesota's Republican Party has sent the Democrat almost $96,000 to cover lawsuit costs.

Republican Party spokesman Mark Drake said a check was sent via courier Monday to Franken's campaign committee. It arrived Tuesday, the same day Franken took his oath for a seat held open during an eight-month recount and court fight.

Minnesota law required Republican Norm Coleman to reimburse Franken for some costs because the election lawsuit didn't change the outcome. The judgment excluded Franken's attorney fees.

The Republican and Democratic parties have each chipped in to help pay candidate legal bills.

The check included $872 in interest that accrued in the month since Coleman was ordered to pay up.

The Minnesota Democrat's swearing-in marked the end of an eight-month political and legal struggle and drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation in the Senate chamber. His presence gives Democrats 60 votes, enough to thwart possible Republican filibusters.

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Comments

[cjk002]

Ouch! That's gotta hurt!

Imagine how frustrating it must be if you're a Franken-hater who donated to the effort to defeat him and now your money is going to pay his legal bills.

[BMS]

hehehehe - too sweet
I hope it's making their heads explode.

[Pigeon2]

How much does a good Dentist cost?

[buggey]

Sen Al Sweetness Franken. So sweet. Sweet revenge - laughter.

[clearlythinking]

Did Ensigns parents "gift" it to them?

[talkingdog]

Just another example of successful pot smoking Americans!

Join the SPMA TODAY!!!

[dessertsfirst]

ROFLMAO!!!!

[MNmommy]

::chuckle::

And he's still there in time to be on the committee for Sotomayor's testimony, healthcare legislation and EFCA.

Thugs are such looooooooosers.

Heh.

[GerryT]

Was Franken sleeping with that Ensign guy?

[IWantTofu]

Franken got $95,000, Ensign's mistress got $96,000, both got FLICKED by Republicans. Coincidence? I don't think so!

[iMissMollyIvins]

John Ensign, former Chair of the RSCC called his Mom & Dad to have them cut Al and Frannie Franken a series if $12,000 checks.

[HekmabaJuzimax]

I know somebody said this already, or is thinking of saying it, but here goes:

HOW SWEET IT IS!!!

[Haitiana4Obama]

Shutup and put your money where you're mouth is that's what you get for waking up...Repub­lican!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[DosGatos2]

$95K? That's a grand less than Ensign's mistress got!

Surely the Repubs should cough up the money for all of Franken's legal bills.

[1sparrow]

95k after inflation is 1000 times less than 30 pieces of gold. you could not even buy a potters yard for that.

[cobraxus]

meanwhile Mitch "Mitzy" McConnell has announced that senate republicans will seek censure against Al Franken because they've been in session since January and this is the first time he's shown up.

[Ohioan730]

Its unbelievable.

[shadowpoodle]

Bill Hicks R.I.P.

[GearRatio]

Um, this is a joke, right? Almost has to be, 'cept that the GOP seems to have gone over the top in auto-parody mode of late....

[mistlesuede]

That sounds about right. I like what Stephanie Miller refers to him as, Mitch McChinless!

[GearRatio]

$95K plus whatever money was spent by Coleman's own lawyers. Part of the "price of doing business," and a very good return on investment in keeping the Democratic tally in the Senate one vote short for half a year...