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

[ozwald888]

Nothing succeeds better than the sweetness of success!!

The repugs should request to have o'reilly deliver the check.......

[protagonia]

Nary the errant troII here today.

Hmm.

Must be licking the wound of it.

[FloaterBall]

Sweet.

[imsosure]

See there Coleman, you should of left quietly, bwahahahaha.

[Poorsarah]

It's only just after the unnecessary length of time Coleman refused to concede...Coleman knew he lost, he just wanted to play political havoc.

[rocketman69]

"

[fairplaystacy]

!

[progressivegreg]

what? I didn't hear you

[weatherwaxx]

Too bad there weren't punitive damages to be paid to the people of Minnesota for cutting 8 months off the representation they are owed.

[BMS]

This news makes my day. Although I expected the amount to be higher.

[americanalien]

This is so sweet to hear. The GOP could not be more destroyed. Not only did they had to suffer this humiliating defeat and the prospect of Democrats having a 60 seat super-majority; but they also have to endure the degradation of paying the guy who put them to shame. If the Republicans weren't so e.vil in the past I would feel sorry for them, but all I can say is they deserve every thing that is happening to them now. They are learning the hard way that when you sow bad seeds, your reward is destruction.

[stagebandman]

BWAAAAAA-HAAAAA-HAAAA-HAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[6bd]

Will the GOP also cover the lost salary / benefit package that was lost during that time period?

[ufopp]

If the $95,000 check clears, then we can say that the Al Franken decade has officially started.

[iburl]

Did Sen Ensign's mommy cut the checks?

[teron678]

seem so .. LMAO

[JinMN]

Ha Ha maybe...

[PJay1]

Good.

[moxieme]

Sarah will trot around the lower 48, ramblin' endlessly, incoherently, and all the duped and deceived "average white males" will pay dearly to see and hear the former beauty queen extole the virtues of the Rethugs and screaming "no" ad nauseaum. All the while offering no alternative to anything they're opposing. First stops, NJ and VA. Yep, it's about to become a real circus!

[doctorwang]

It will be even more fun finding out how many G0P candidates refuse her offer to campaign for them.

[CR46]

Maybe they can't afford to buy her and her family a new wardrobe????

[BMS]

There's a thread on HuffPo right now about all the candidates who don't want her "help" - very funny stuff. One guy said that if she showed up, his opponent would basically be "doing a dance of joy."

Poor widdle Sarah - even the repubbies won't touch her with a ten foot pole.

[punkingale]

I think it was Virginia that said they didn't want her help, in so many words.

[ab73]

Don't you mean beauty pageant loser?