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

[kevinw]

I am confused, does this mean that Al was Ensign's mistress?

[reggieb]

you know how republicans are, any port in a storm....

[vgirl1]

Sweet justice.

Ain't American politics wonderful? (LOL)

[me again]

Coleman should be responsbile for attormey fees as well......

[TxAggie]

And this is a story? I wish Al Franken luck in the new job. Hopefully he will choose to be a Statesman and represent the best interest of the people of Mn and the US. We will learn whether he has outgrown his comedy days (although he was great) or whether he is just another demo hack. Hopefully he is not.

[DennisMM]

I'd say it's a lot more of a story than the continuing Jackson coverage here.

[marco01]

Yes, and it's a GREAT story!

[water57]

They spend all that money and there was no mistress involved. What is this world coming to

[flurryup]

lol.

[politicalkarma]

Now Franken can finish his sex change!

[SoCalNick]

Mom is ashamed of you...you know that right?

[JessWonderin]

Cute . . . just because Franken is NOW a Senator does not leave a vacancy on the Comic Circuit . . . besides THAT was pretty wimpy . . . .

[thundermummy]

Lame as Vicky Jackson.

[DennisMM]

A baby could lift that joke, it was so light.

[plzchuteme]

That "joke" was full of helium!

[katocat]

Wishful thinking?

[chicagominx]

HAHAHAHAHA! Boy, do I LOVE that disbursement!

[fcsakes]

I'm surprised the republicans even had $95,000 after footing the bill for palin's clothes.

[JessWonderin]

Just borrowed it from John ENSIGN'S PARENTS . . . .

[JessWonderin]

Did they borrow it from Sen John ENSIGN'S PARENTS?

. . . they seem quite GENEROUS.

[Gladys1963]

I like his wife's sweater.

(I know--this should be in the Style section.)

[k6007]

That's a thousand less than ensign's mistress..

[peacebro]

Funny, in another story today:

GOP Senator's Parents Paid His Mistress $96,000, guess they just had to out do Coleman!

[oldfuzz]

What goes around comes around. (The devil made me write it.) ;-O

[jazzman]

It's great to have Al. I'm glad Norm paid the fee for his frivolous appeal to the Supreme Court and to rest of you I say forget the 60. There are at least 10 Democrats who are really Republicans.

[Stayalert]

DINO's dems in name only.

[DennisMM]

Some things never change.

[AsUWish]

I'll bet Al is saying a quote from Jerry Maquire right about now: "Show Me The Money!"

[Zen0469]

Sweet.

Worth photographing, framing, and hanging on the wall of his Senate office, prominently displayed for all the republithugs to see. .