MN: Court rules for Franken; Coleman concedes

Wraith · 06-30-2009, 02:08 PM

MPR:

Quote:

Republican Norm Coleman has conceded to Democrat Al Franken, just hour after the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld Franken victory in the state's epic election contest.

Coleman had hinted he might petition the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, but at a mid-afternoon press conference outside his house Tuesday he told reporters it's time to end the long-standing race.

This means Franken is in line to becoming Minnesota's next Senator, as soon as Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie issue an election certificate, which the five Supreme Court justices said Franken is entitled to receive.

In its 32-page ruling, the state's highest court unanimously rejected Coleman's appeal of a lower court's ruling that put Franken, ahead by 312 votes.

"We affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota," the court wrote in the order.

The court rejected all of Coleman's arguments that sought to include more absentee ballots into the count. The decision came after 30 days of deliberation and nearly eight months since Minnesotans cast their ballots at the polls.

Star Tribune, CNN

Ink Asylum · 06-30-2009, 02:15 PM

Finally! Woo! Thank the stars Coleman conceded instead of trying to drag this to the federal level and giving Senate Republicans an excuse to stall Franken's seating.

Kelegacy · 06-30-2009, 02:35 PM

He really couldn't drag it to the federal level, or it wouldn't have worked anyway, because the governor stated earlier that if Franken won the state Supreme Court ruling he would sign the election certificate.

Thank God this is over. Now let the filibuster-proof, at least on paper, congress start! Let's pass some sweeping health care reform!!

AgtFox · 06-30-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelegacy

He really couldn't drag it to the federal level, or it wouldn't have worked anyway, because the governor stated earlier that if Franken won the state Supreme Court ruling he would sign the election certificate.

Thank God this is over. Now let the filibuster-proof, at least on paper, congress start! Let's pass some sweeping health care reform!!

Actually, he said he would sign it if ordered by MN Supreme Court. He was not directly ordered by the MN Supreme Court to sign the election certificate, just that one should be issued. Issued and signed are two different terms. Left the loophole open in case Coleman wanted to go to federal court with an appeal.

Ink Asylum · 06-30-2009, 02:41 PM

Don't underestimate the Senate Republicans. Even if Pawlenty had signed the election certificate, if Coleman stated his intent to appeal to the federal level the Senate Republicans could have tried to stop Franken's seating.

Still, it's all hypotheticals now.

Hawkzombie · 06-30-2009, 02:49 PM

Five bucks say no new policy changes actually happen in the Senate

Ink Asylum · 06-30-2009, 03:16 PM

Good ol' Rush:

Quote:

Look at this from Iran’s press run television, state run media in Iran. Ahmadinejad gains votes in recount, just like in our country. It happened just like in our country. Norm Coleman wins in Minnesota in a recount, so they keep having recounts, and Al Franken wins, so they have the recount in Iran and shazam Ahmadinejad gained votes.

Yes, they're exactly the same. Except for how they're completely different.

Generation ABXY · 06-30-2009, 03:39 PM

You know, there are times when I think the only ones paying attention to this guy are the ones who hate him.

ShivaX · 06-30-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Generation ABXY

You know, there are times when I think the only ones paying attention to this guy are the ones who hate him.

I think that sometimes, and then I talk to my step-father and most of the people he knows and realize the awful reality is that lots of people listen to him. Hell hes watching Glen Beck right now. For that matter the only station he watches all day is Fox News, nothing else. Oh wait he takes a break to watch golf, then its right back to Fox News.

BlackPete · 06-30-2009, 06:57 PM

Congratulations Senator Stuart Smalley. Here's to bringing dignity to the Senate:

Ink Asylum · 06-30-2009, 07:08 PM

What's funny is that photo is doctored but one of the Republican Senators Franken will be joining in the capitol, David Vitter, allegedly is into diaper play.

destoo · 06-30-2009, 07:36 PM

He won because he was good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like him.

Generation ABXY · 06-30-2009, 07:58 PM

Oh, and LHC. Can't forget about that.

06-30-2009, 02:49 PM	#6
Hawkzombie The Lord of Shadow Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 17,403 Blog Entries: 3	Five bucks say no new policy changes actually happen in the Senate __________________ I have a blog. Go read it! PSN/Steam ID - JaynesHat/Hawkzombie There is the crazy HZ and the well refined logic and reasoning HZ. Both are pretty entertaining -Purple Santa I love that Hawk exists to make every decision I make, no matter how self-destructive, look wise by comparison. -Ox I just realized that for the longest time I've been getting you and Karak mixed up. -fitbabits

06-30-2009, 07:08 PM	#11
Ink Asylum BEARDWALL! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 22,249	What's funny is that photo is doctored but one of the Republican Senators Franken will be joining in the capitol, David Vitter, allegedly is into diaper play. Last edited by Ink Asylum; 06-30-2009 at 07:15 PM.

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06-30-2009, 02:15 PM	#2
Ink Asylum BEARDWALL! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 22,249	Finally! Woo! Thank the stars Coleman conceded instead of trying to drag this to the federal level and giving Senate Republicans an excuse to stall Franken's seating.

06-30-2009, 02:35 PM	#3
Kelegacy The Pill Man Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 10,185	He really couldn't drag it to the federal level, or it wouldn't have worked anyway, because the governor stated earlier that if Franken won the state Supreme Court ruling he would sign the election certificate. Thank God this is over. Now let the filibuster-proof, at least on paper, congress start! Let's pass some sweeping health care reform!!

06-30-2009, 02:41 PM	#5
Ink Asylum BEARDWALL! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 22,249	Don't underestimate the Senate Republicans. Even if Pawlenty had signed the election certificate, if Coleman stated his intent to appeal to the federal level the Senate Republicans could have tried to stop Franken's seating. Still, it's all hypotheticals now.

06-30-2009, 06:57 PM	#10
BlackPete Colonist Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,962	Congratulations Senator Stuart Smalley. Here's to bringing dignity to the Senate:

06-30-2009, 07:36 PM	#12
destoo Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: montreal, quebec Posts: 720	He won because he was good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like him.