St. Paul, Minn. — For a breathtakingly close contest that consumed nearly eight months with vote counts, recounts and courtrooms, the race for Minnesota’s second Senate seat ended in a flash.
Minnesota’s Supreme Court swept aside Norm Coleman’s appeal at the stroke of 1 p.m. Tuesday, ruling Democrat Al Franken should be certified the winner. Coleman emerged from his St. Paul home within hours to concede, pulling the plug on a bitter contest ultimately decided by 312 votes out of nearly 2.9 million cast.
By evening, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the election certificate for Franken and the former “Saturday Night Live” comedian had a new and undisputed title: “Senator-elect.”
“I can’t wait to get started,” Franken said outside his Minneapolis home. “I won by 312 votes, so I really have to earn the trust of the people who didn’t vote for me.”
Franken’s victory gives Democrats control of 60 seats in the Senate — the critical number needed to overcome Republican filibusters. When Franken is seated, which could come as early as next week, his party will have a majority not reached on either side of the aisle in some three decades.
“The way I see it, I’m not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator, I’m going to Washington to be the second senator from Minnesota,” said Franken, who moved into politics with books poking fun at conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Coleman could have carried his fight into federal court, but it was unlikely to overturn the state Supreme Court’s decision. The prospect created months of intrigue over whether Pawlenty would sign an election certificate for Franken if Coleman were still pursuing appeals, a possibility that became moot with the concession.
“The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results,” Coleman said outside his St. Paul home. Appearing relaxed and upbeat, Coleman said he had congratulated Franken, was at peace with the decision and had no regrets about the fight.
“Sure I wanted to win,” said Coleman, who declined to talk about his future and brushed aside a question about whether he would run for governor in 2010.
“I thought we had a better case. But the court has spoken.”
After Coleman ended election night ahead by several hundred votes, he called on Franken to concede. The Democrat refused, and the thin margin triggered an automatic recount that ultimately put Franken ahead by 225 votes. Coleman challenged those results in January, but a review by a three-judge panel expanded Franken’s lead to 312 votes by the time it ended in April.
Coleman appealed to the state’s high court later that month, arguing election officials across Minnesota were inconsistent with rules on absentee ballots, unfairly robbing thousands of people of votes. But the state’s high court soundly rejected that reasoning, voting 5-0 that there was no reason to apply a more lenient standard in judging absentees, as Coleman wanted, than the law required.
“I think what you had was 12 judges look at this through the canvassing process, through the recount and throughout the trial, and all agreeing unanimously that I won more votes than anybody else in the election,” Franken said. “I think that is conclusive, and I think that this has been as thorough, as painstaking, as transparent as possible.”
Franken, 58, has come a long way from the goofy 1980s “SNL” skits where he mocked politicians, portrayed the self-affirming Stuart Smalley and pranced around in little more than a Speedo.
His career evolved in the 1990s with books harpooning Limbaugh and he later gained a liberal following as a radio show host on the “Air America” network.
Comments
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faceit (anonymous) says…
It's a sad day for Minnessota; it's a sad day for the United States of America. What a total embarrassment for Minnesotans to have a true nut job actually represent them.
It's their own fault for not taking the election seriously.
WilburM (anonymous) says…
Didn't take the election seriously? Three candidates, big turnout, and a recount/court system that reviewed all the evidence in an orderly, transparent, sober way. Seems like a great illustration of how a democracy should work in an extraordinarily close election. Now, if you don't like the result, that's another issue. But we might give Franken a chance to actually perform, just maybe, before castigating him and those who voted for him.
RonBurgandy (anonymous) says…
It's about time.
Martini_Boy (anonymous) says…
I wonder if any of the "thrown out" votes were from the ACORN registration drive. Well wait, Al won so Naaaaaa...
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"What a total embarrassment for Minnesotans to have a true nut job actually represent them."
Yes, in stark contrast to the prestigious reign of...*cough*...Jesse "The Body" Ventura.
Face it, faceit - you're a sore loser.
beawolf (anonymous) says…
I met Al Franken at a book signing ("Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations") in Minneapolis, he really has an amazing wit and an intelligence that surprised me. I think the people of Minnesota made a good choice. If nothing else, I don't think he will be boring.
I wonder if Bill O'Reilly called to congratulate him?
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
So Al Franken--who's had so many choice words for politicos and pundits alike over the years--decided to put his money where his mouth is, and spend some time walking in those shoes?
Let's see another talking head or pundit pull that off.
Rush? Hammy? Mikey Moore? Keith? Rachel? SlAnnder?
Anyone?
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
Al should do well. I watched some of the debates on C-Span last fall. He was thoughtful, informed and did as well as any of the others. We survived 8 years with a burned out actor and another 8 with a failing businessman. We can handle Franken. Good luck!
RogueThrill (anonymous) says…
There is no way he could possibly be worse than the House Representative Michelle Bachmann, also from Minnesota. She, my friends, is the real deal when it comes to nut jobs.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
This is the same Franken that had tax problems spread across several states recently?
rdragon (M. Lindeman) says…
RogueThrill (Anonymous) says…
There is no way he could possibly be worse than the House Representative Michelle Bachmann, also from Minnesota. She, my friends, is the real deal when it comes to nut jobs.
rdragon writes
You come to this conclusion how? Everytime I have listen to an interview with her, she comes across as a smart woman. It must be the R behind her name as the reason you think she is a nut job.
As for Stuart Smalley, wouldn't know where to start on that one. So I will just say good luck, lord knows Minnesota is going to need it.
WilburM (anonymous) says…
the Michele Bachman Standard? She's among the nuttiest Members of Congress, and the competition is fierce. The record is truly crystal clear. See:
http://www.thebachmannrecord.com/theb...
Stuart Smalley is totally sane in comparison, to say nothing of Senator Franken.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
rdragon...
I think you should have your data/cable connections checked if Bachman comes across as smart!! She is a misnomer-a-minute mental midget who picks up on every whacked out over the edge conspiracy theory fear mongering lie and broadcasts it as news. Volunteering will lead to the Hitler youth? The census will lead to internment camps? She is a danger to society!!
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"Everytime I have listen to an interview with her, she comes across as a smart woman"
Does that speak to her intelligence, or yours?
kansasmutt (anonymous) says…
Wow the system does work in some cases. I think Al will do a great job. He is a very smart guy if you take time to study him and his background.He is not just a joker, he has a history other than that.
Weezy_Jefferson (anonymous) says…
Hmm, what's worse? Minnesota with a comedian senator or South Carolina with a lyin' cheatin' governor?
Sorry, conservatives.
rdragon (M. Lindeman) says…
porch_person (Anonymous) says…
rdragon,
Bachman?? Michelle “the Spirit of Joe McCarthy” Bachman?
You have to be kidding
overthemoon (Anonymous) says…
rdragon…
I think you should have your data/cable connections checked if Bachman comes across as smart!! She is a misnomer-a-minute mental midget who picks up on every whacked out over the edge conspiracy theory fear mongering lie and broadcasts it as news. Volunteering will lead to the Hitler youth? The census will lead to internment camps? She is a danger to society!!
jimmyjms (Anonymous) says…
“Everytime I have listen to an interview with her, she comes across as a smart woman”
Does that speak to her intelligence, or yours?
rdragon writes
I will say this one more time, of the interviews I have seen of her she comes across as a smart person. I don't live in Minnesota, and don't want too, I am sure there are plenty of issues up there. I have read and listened to a lot of Franken babble to not care much for him. I could really care less who Minnesota sends to Washington. I am of the mindset that the Senate and the Congress need term limits. Two terms and your out of here, no automatic retirement, serve your terms and go home.
That is all I am going to say on this subject.
take care
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
It's too bad the Democrats are so corrupt as they drive our country into a Marxist regime. Scary times ahead of us. Perhaps the Maya saying the calendar (world) will end in 2012 will come to fruition. Sure looks like it.
Keith (anonymous) says…
"I will say this one more time, of the interviews I have seen of her she comes across as a smart person."
All this means is that he has seen zero interviews of her.
Keith (anonymous) says…
"My family, although seriously damaged "
Truer words were never spoken.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Mr. Shewmon
I think you and Rep Bachman ought to take a show on the road!!
I am curious, honestly, how Obama has damaged and inconvenienced your family?. I have recently lost my job, but I know that this is due to the recession which got started well over a year ago (and which, if you will recall, Pres W called "a little bump in the road"), so I don't think I can blame the current adm for MY hardships at the moment. I am truly interested in your response. I keep hearing that Obama initiated something horrid, but I he has to respond to the mess left for him to clean up.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
"I wonder if Bill O'Reilly called to congratulate him?" - Very funny.
It is about time! Votes have been counted and recounted, and Franken won, be it by a razor thin margin. Franken will now have to work hard and win over some of those who voted against him if he wants to be in office for more than one truncated term. Good luck Mr. Senator!
goodcitizen (anonymous) says…
I'm curious how Franken will be out in 3.5 yrs when Senate terms are for 6 years and this challenge has only taken up 6 months of his term? Is this some kind of new math I am unfamiliar with?
goodcitizen (anonymous) says…
And speaking as someone who contributed to Al's campaign, I'd like to ad "Thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" to all the haters and congrats to Al.
Kam_Fong_as_Chin_Ho (anonymous) says…
Franken was selected as winner for three reasons: He's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it...people like him.
Liberty_One (anonymous) says…
As if it will make any difference whether it is a D or an R. They are basically the same party anyway.
iLikelawrence (anonymous) says…
2010 will be a watershed year in American politics....
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Marion, Tom, BigPrune, others, perhaps you could have a group session with Stuart Smalley. He might be able to help with your intense feelings of bitterness and hostility that stems from the realization of your own irrelevance.
Then again, probably not.
livingstone (anonymous) says…
Mr_Nancy_Boy_To_You (Tom Shewmon) says…
"MN has a history of electing loons."
Spot on! That's why they elected Pawlenty and threw him out. Point noted.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Tom. So you have not experienced any family damage or inconvenience to date? hmmm. Ok. So will you be bitterly disappointed if you don't experience family damage or inconvenience? Will you be shocked and horrified to find that Obama and his team do a good job of navigating through the most complicated economic/political/cultural/environmental period in our memory? Do you wish for the failure of our country in order to validate your fears?
Boy. This sort of thinking gets us nowhere. Change, hope, and prosperity and all the good stuff start with individuals. Failure and dispair does as well. Why chose failure?
livingstone (anonymous) says…
Well, why is Al Franken a "loon" and Mr. Arnold Swagger, not a "loon"? From every angle, Arnie looks, feels, touch... and talks... like Al Franken. And he's an actor. Of course, he's a Republican. Oh, I forgot, he's a Republican! Well, if you're an actor and a republican, you're not a "super star", but if you're not an actor, but a well-studied and well-informed person, but you're a Democrat, you're a nut case. I understand now. Cheers!
merrill (anonymous) says…
Can Franken keep the other democrats honest as well as remind them what they said during the last campaign? Al Franken can you hold their feet to the fire? Good luck.
Reagan/Bush I /Bush II reaganomic neoconservatives are a lost cause not to mention not an ounce of fiscal restraint,fiscal responsibility or a fiscal conservative bone in their bodies. Yes they are still running the party but what the hell party is it? These people are not republicans.
Cappy (anonymous) says…
Al Franken is a smart guy and funny, too. Mel Brookes, when confronted by people upset about his "Springtime for Hitler" bit, once said the way to take the power away from evil is to make it ridiculous. I look forward to Al Franken fighting evil and making us laugh in the process.
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
A great day for Minnesota and the country. The rule of law has prevailed. Kudos to Senator Coleman for finally making this process about the law and not about himself.
I have always found Franken to be thoughtful, incisive, objective, and damn funny. A sense of humor is often indicative of a deep intelligence and perception.
Norm Coleman is not funny.
Boeing (anonymous) says…
Al Franken isn't funny either, what's your point?
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…
Ha, ha, ha!
merrill (anonymous) says…
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/...
Norm Coleman concedes Minnesota Senate race to Al Franken
By P.J. Huffstutter and James Oliphant
Los Angeles Times | June 30, 2009
The Republican former senator admits defeat after the state supreme court rules in Franken's favor in the long ballot recount. Franken's win will give Democrats a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
I can't wait until my commemorative Al Franken stein arrives...
http://www.zazzle.com/will_franken_go...
Waitaminit... that's a Will Franken stein...!
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
Good its all on the demorats now, USA fubar in no time. Welcome to New France, we are sooo la screwed.
Solomon (anonymous) says…
The last time a filibuster-proof majority existed was when the Dems had 61 Senators in the Carter administration.
How did that work out?
RogueThrill (anonymous) says…
Hey, Tom. Franken will not be out in "2 to 4 years" because he is in the Senate.
That's a 6 year term.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
To the conservatives who seem ready once again to jump off a bridge over this latest turn, I'd just like to point out that you have nobody but Norm Coleman to blame for how you are feeling right now. If Coleman had just conceded months ago as he rightfully should have, you wouldn't have to be re-experiencing the bitter crush of absolute defeat you were forced to endure during the last election.
It is Coleman's fault that you are having to re-live it all over again.
hahahahaha
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Um, okay pilgrim2, if you say so, especially given the strong field of GOP candidates out there. Think big! You guys might just come back and break that filibuster proof majority after all!
keep hope alive.
Stain (anonymous) says…
This is a mixed blessing.
Now Democrats have nobody but Democrats to blame if they do not seriously reform health care in America.
single payer now
We deserve what all other developed nations have.
TacoBob (anonymous) says…
Vile man. Heard/seen/met him. Foul mouthed and crude. Check out his PB article, commentary, etc. He is not a supporter of women, minorities or the less fortunate, among other things - his own words testify.
Only positive is that he is in for 5.5.years, not 6.
And those that slam Coleman for pursuing the legal route, Franken would have done the same thing, just flip the arguments. You know it's true, silly to argue otherwise. No one would have taken the 'high road' here - don't kid yourselves.
Too bad both parties can't run better candidates, there are better Dems out there. But at the end ot the day, he is in. Minnesota could have done better, but it is what it is.
So Dems, you own it, so own it. No finger pointing allowed from now on.
Good luck to us all - unlike Rush, I wish us all well.
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
How do you define developed nation Stain? France, Germany or Britain, no thanks. But lets see how this works out when the demorats start taxin' the hell out of everybody. We deserve what we can pay for. Taxin' Americans into a permanent recession isn't what I deserve or my children. Healthcare crisis, global warming, our pockets have a limited amount of money, than off with their heads, metaphorically. Come on America lets throw the whole damn bunch out on their ears. I am today calling for the removal of every incumbent through the ballot box over the next three elections. We can do it America! That's what we deserve!
Newell_Post (anonymous) says…
At last. We finally have a professional comedian in the Senate.
labmonkey (anonymous) says…
It is high time we kick all states that start with the letter "M" out of the country.
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
In commentary reminescent of but diametrically opposed to Michelle Obama and her publicly-stated feelings, I've never in my adult life been ashamed of my country until recently!
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
Mn can't keep their disgraces local, as in governor Ventura, they have to foist Franken upon the country. Shame on them.
kansasmutt (anonymous) says…
I see all the G O P followers have alot to say against the Dems, But you dont understand one thing. You G O P republicans got us in this mess the Dems are trying to clean up. You squareheads dont have a clue, you just blame the Dems and your the fine bunch that left this mess for us to fix.Your great repulicans that are in office dont want to agree on anything and all you do is sit back and biotc* about everything .If you would round your heads and unsquare them and help it might just work out good for both parties and us common folk as well.Grow up and help.Just dont sit back and biotc* like you have for years, change and help out...
Weezy_Jefferson (anonymous) says…
Oh, you wacky, whiny conservatives. Go join Sarah Palin on a moose hunt or Bill O'Reilly at a falafel luncheon and give us a break.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
jumpin-c: "I am today calling for the removal of every incumbent through the ballot box over the next three elections."
And you are???
The point is, that call was alread sounded, hence the removal of so many Republicans over the last few years. How dense are you to not recognize that obvious truth? That call was made ... and answered! Welcome aboard Senator Franken!
Hey Tommy, you left out that Coleman should also win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Hey jimin, to be ashamed of your country because the democratic system works is pathetic. Of course, as a very recent President said -- if you aren't with us you are against us. Us real Americans already know you hate America and everything it stands for.
I am just loving how upset the loser neocons are right now!!! It is like November 2008 all over again!!!! hahahahahaha
TacoBob (anonymous) says…
Once again:
The GOP lost, Dems need to get over it.
You own it now, make it work. The blame game is running out of gas.
BTW, I walk by Franken's townhome every day. News trucks all over it tonight. interesting part of town he lives in, some parts upscale, others a bit dodgy. Overall not a bad place to live. $4 parking just a block away, cheap for downtown Minny.
Rationalanimal (anonymous) says…
the man isn't right in the head, he fits right in with the statist alzheimer drones on the back bench
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
pace (anonymous) says…
Minnesota lucked out today, as did the US senate.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
grammaddy (anonymous) says…
" backlash in 2010" that's so funny! From what party. Certainly not the rethugs. You conservatives crack me up. Who you gonna run, Palin? Give it your best shot. Let Palin show you how! I can't wait to see what comes crawling out of the closet next!!!
kansasmutt (anonymous) says…
pilgrim 2 ) If you check out the votes durring the Busch years you might be a bit suprised at the amount of Dems that did vote in favor of the G O P fellers.The G O P dudes and dudets kinda been going downhill for the last 12 to 14 years.The Dems didnt realy make a differance in the outcome, but showed willingness to help.I also think the G O P and Buschy are the ones who tossed the T A R P money to the sharks with no restrictions and was basicly a free cash deal for the allready greed stricken C E O,s I can say both Dems and G O P leaders can do better, but the G O P is just about like watching a really crapy cartoon. I see alot of Obama negativity, and have to ask this. What would you do to save the country at this time ? Share your ideas. What is the fix since it apears you have the answers ? Speak out Repubs, let us know How to fix it ///
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Or we would have a bottle so vile that it should be buried along with nuclear waste.
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"Do you think that now might be the time for me to start using some of my anti-Barack Hussein Obama domains?"
Sure! If that doesn't pan out, you've always got "the files".
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
50 Democrats in the House jumped ship over the cap & trade disaster. The Senate Democrats may not be as monolithic as you think.
staff04 (anonymous) says…
Interesting or sad? Norm Coleman has lost elections to a pro-wrestler and a comedian, but he defeated a former U.S. Vice President.
Katara (anonymous) says…
snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
50 Democrats in the House jumped ship over the cap & trade disaster. The Senate Democrats may not be as monolithic as you think.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am always puzzled that some seem to believe that political party membership in America requires 100% lockstep support to all members in that party.
a_flock_of_jayhawks (anonymous) says…
Pilgrim2 (Anonymous) says…
"Help, you say? LMAO!!! Only when they knew it would “help” their standing with their constituents at home."
Maybe you are LYAO at yourself? Check the votes at Roll Call or other reliable sources, not FNC.
As far as helping their standing with constituents, remember PolSci 101 (if you took that course) - all politics are local. Democracy rules!
TopJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Let me know how all of you dems feel when the taxes go up, and the prices we pay for everything go up so companies can pay their taxes. An extra $250.00 a month for utilities? Boy I can't wait. I know Al Gore needs the money.
The squeeling will be defaning.
Al Freakin' will be an Obama rubber stamp.
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
TopJayhawk - let me know when that actually happens.