Norm Coleman Graciously Offers Al Franken Right to Suspend Recount
It's called "Minnesota nice," and Sen. Norm Coleman is chock full of it! Especially when he encourages his opponent in a razor-thin election to just give up and let him win.
The state's official election tally has Coleman atop challenger Stuart "Al Franken" Smalley by a mere 477 votes. By Minnesota law, a margin this small automatically goes to a recount, which, given voting irregularities claimed by Franken's team, could lead to a different final outcome.
Coleman, meanwhile, has taken the gracious step of suggesting the Franken decline a recount so that he (Coleman) can take his leadership abilities, along with his teeth and hair, back to Washington, where they belong…
Coleman urged Franken to waive his right to a recount, saying that the prospect of changing the result was remote and that a recount would be costly to taxpayers (about $86,000).
"I just think the need for the healing process is so important… hopefully, you don't have TV ads during an election recount," Coleman said.
Coleman's own contribution to the "healing process" was suing Franken's campaign, which accused him of being named one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress, when in fact he only got an honorable mention.
Franken, for his part, is accused by Coleman of backing a third-party lawsuit alleging that money was illegally funneled to the Senator's wife.
So all this constitutes "Minnesota nice"? I guess I expected something a bit classier from such a mild-mannered state. The tactics seem pretty un-Minnesota and more like, say, New York City.
Which makes total sense, considering that's where both candidates are actually from.
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[...] page featuring an interactive timeline of all the Coleman campaign's obstructions– from goading Franken to concede on election night to his most recent lawsuit, filed just days [...]
What a hoot! Great commentary, Dylan.
If couldn't care less couldn't care less why bother posting a comment. The only genuine things about coleman are his two front teeth and that he is a drippy with slime sleaze bag.
Appar’E’ntly, somebody should buy a dictionary or engage spell check. The recount is transparent, fair and making Al look like an idiot:
“For his part”:
Franken is trying to make Minnesotans look like a bunch of bumbling morons who jump through hoops only to be told to jump through them again, but this time; “we light them on fire”. “One” judge sees fit to make public; the list of voters who had their absentee ballots rightly rejected??? Oh, man, what have we become??? I’d be very indignant if it was my ballot and my name was made public, I don’t care who I voted for! Maybe Minnesota would be wise to initiate a “runoff” system? Idk…
Now about HIS, (Franken’s) “sure to come”, court battles…. YAAAAAAAWN… Can you say disingenuous? He could care less about the citizens. Yes? So what else is new? Unfortunately, win or lose in all of this, every voter has been soundly slapped and the whole states election has been tarnished.
Sum total:
Minnesota Re-count=moot point
Franken=Clown: Doing the, “oh so worn out” dance on the moniker republican and align everyone who is not proudly “liberal” with Bush.
Coleman=Genuine, in his desire to serve the people of Minn. Forced into a “dirtier than thou” campaign but (is there any other kind?).
Coleman’s a center right man, who like most other public servants, with a history of servitude, should be given respect. He is also a man who is very astute to the FACT that no recount in Minnesota has changed the outcome.
Yes, they ARE that good up there. What else do they have to do except play hockey or rugby? Oh crap, I forgot… This is “reduced fact” political blogging… my bad?
As of 1.40 CST Al is down 239 votes
Yes, Al was raised in Minnesota. His parents lived here until they died. Even though his career took him elsewhere over the years, he spent a lot of time in MN, and stayed close to MN politics. He was a great friend and supporter of Senator Paul Wellstone, and would be a great Senator in his own right.
Al has already declined Norm's generous invitation to step aside. In as much as Al will fight for MN, he will fight for that opportunity to do so. The votes will speak for themselves. This has been a difficult race, and will continue to be a little longer. But Minnesotans are a patient people. Norm Coleman's impatience only sets him apart from us further.
Go Al!
Apparantly his generosity does not go so far as to ceed the race himself.
If the GOP's track record this election season is any indication, there will be a recount and Frankin will win handily.
That is so magnanimous! http://tinyurl.com/63r6vq
Al grew up in St. Louis Park, MN he doesn't have a NY accent like Norm.
Coleman is like a sleazy used car salesman. He got St. Paul to elect him mayor by claiming to be a Democrat. But then he switched his party affiliation in 1996 and his been riding the Bush/Cheney gravy train ever since. I will be volunteering for the Franken cause in the recount.