Franken Camp: We're Feeling Good About The Recount
The Franken team likes their odds. That's the message today from a Franken campaign briefing with reporters, as the Franken team faces the important task of projecting confidence and bolstering the optimism of their own supporters who are working at the recount precincts throughout the state.
Marc Elias, Franken's lead recount lawyer, said that Franken has made gains despite the fact that the recounted areas so far are more Republican than the state as a whole -- which means they could potentially gain even more votes as the count moves into more pro-Franken precincts, though Elias stressed that they aren't making any direct extrapolations or projections.
Elias also criticized the Coleman campaign over their challenges to some of the ballots, which is keeping those votes out of the count pending their final review by the state canvassing board. So far, Coleman's campaign has been challenging more ballots than the Franken camp has.
"We've seen examples of challenges that are clearly non-meritorious, and will not be upheld by the canvass board." If Elias is right about that prediction, Franken could potentially gain even more votes when the board finally takes up those ballots in December.
I am optimistic about his chances.
November 20, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not allowing myself the luxury (?) or either optimism or pessimism. This is one race I care very much about. If I don't try to stay somewhat detached, the memories of and parallels with Florida 2000 will drive me batshit bonkers.
November 20, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
"batshit bonkers"- I passed that two days ago.
November 20, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did it hurt?
November 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
...just the part where my head exploded like the guy in "Scanners".
November 20, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heh! JC, this photo is for you. Enjoy!
November 20, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, they wouldn't be saying that if they didn't have confidence that it's looking good.
Heh! This is going to be so cool when Franken wins! O'Lielly will explode.
November 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Franken wins, the Republicans will spend the next six years or more insisting that he stole the election.
November 20, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like we Dems did about Dubya in 2000? Lotta good that did us!
November 20, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I much rather have that then him losing, and i know he will laugh at them bashing on him.
November 20, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fair enough. And I will systematically dredge up each and every single condescending comment uttered by the GOP after Florida and shove it right back in O'Reilly's and Rush's faces (e.g.: "Sore loser," "Get over it," etc.).
November 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know how I hear the Republicans whining in the next few years? Like mosquitoes. What's that you're saying, Minority? Speak up, can't hear ya.
Ha!
God I love being the majority.
November 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
They've (the Republicans) have been poisoning that well ever since they found out that the margin was close enough for an automatic recount.
I say let their tongues wag until they fall out of their heads. Will be naught more than the collective white noise coming from the minority party.
November 20, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
...we don't play that game...it's not productive. When you mention Kennedy vs. Nixon we just nod our head knowingly and try to prevent the next one (that may be why we feel so strongly that you ought to show some ID to vote).
November 20, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh puhleeese. One need look no further than the comments section of the Star-Trib to witness all these stoic, reticent Republicans of which you speak. Here's the first one for starters:
Their caterwauling has been going on ever since election night.
November 20, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
The StarTrib comments are good for a belly-laugh though! Breath-taking....
November 20, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your team dasn't play that game, huh? You may want to let your teammates know that...
November 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where do you vote that you get to walk in without a voter registration certificate or DL and vote?
November 20, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or utility bill -and there's nothing wrong with a utility bill. I know that is what the Post Office required from me before they'd give me a mail box.
November 20, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where i vote in North Carolina, you need only show ID the first time you vote in a precinct. For subsequent elections, all you need to do is state your name and address.
November 20, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are good reasons for allowing people vote to as easily as possible and Wallace knows it.
November 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
ID isn't an impediment to voting. Hell I get carded buying a a six pack nowadays....We card everyone means everyone.
November 20, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been calling Georgia for Jim Martin in the run off election. You'd be surprised how many poor folks down there have no drivers licenses or picture ID. Just the way the way the Republican party likes it.
November 21, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
FWIW, in my 40 years of voting in NY and CA, I've never had to show an ID.
Just walk up, tell 'em who are, and they find your entry in their book. Sign the book, and if your sig matches to one in the book from your registration, you're in.
November 20, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
And that's the key. This BS about phantom voters is just that - BS. How is someone going to match a signature they've never seen?
November 20, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
Every state is different, every district is different. In Dallas Co. If your name is in the book, then you can vote if you don't have a certificate, but I believe you have to have something showing your name and address now.
But it depends on the election officials in every district in every state, Wallace.
And a National ID card is right out of the question, AFAIC. I refuse. That's too goddamn Orwellian.
I'm watching Britain go down this path and I'll be damned if I'll see this country do it.
November 20, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
What? You don't like Orwellian solutions to non-problems?
November 20, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I think SFC Wallace was trying to say specify a "photo" id to vote.
It was only recently here in GA that a photo id was required to vote. Before, there was a whole list of things you could present to verify who you were...including voter registration card, utility bills, etc. that did not have a photo. Now it has to be a state or federal issued photo id.
November 20, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Voter ID = poll tax ... both are illegal.
November 20, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nixon gave up the recount in IL when he found out Repubs stole more votes in the collar counties and downstate than Daley did in Chicago. Yeah you don't play that game. When you can't win.
The Republican party has trashed this country. It'll take a decade or longer to fix the multiple disasters you guys have left behind. But by January you'll already be trying to blame Obama for it all. Expect another wave of Republican retirements in the house and senate over the next two years. When everything your guys say is met with derision by the public and indifference by Dem lawmakers they'll take the hint and get out. Unless of course they can't find work elsewhere. A very real possibility. Enjoy your irrelevancy SFC.
November 21, 2008 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seems to me that Franken's almost certainly going to win this one.
Why?
He needs 214 votes... and 30% in, he's got 69 of them. If you extrapolate that out, he's on track for about 230 votes in total from the recount.
... of course, that number could vary, as they are counting votes in different regions of the state, with different voting tendencies, using different scanning machines, with different levels of accuracy. But you'd expect the odd "human error" ballots that we've seen popping up to keep doing so, regardless. So, for sake of compromise, let's say that the recount puts him pretty much even.
What's *NOT* even are the contested ballots. 322 by Coleman, to Franken's 250. Extrapolate this out to the other 70% of the ballots, and we're talking about around 230 extra ballots that Coleman's people will be contesting vs. Franken's team.
These ballots are taken out of the official count, to be decided by a panel. From what I read from an observer, the clear majority of these are not really much in question as far as intent... so let's say 2/3rds of them count. That translates to another 75 votes for Franken.
Lastly, there is a matter of the approx. 1500-2500 absentee votes statewide that were thrown out. These are ballots where the right to vote were contested by state records, could not be established... or, perhaps more precisely, were not established due to the legwork involved. That said, there is significant rationale for any voter who believes their vote was eligible to contest this decision, and have a judge rule their votes valid.
We already know that there's significant evidence that Obama got the most absentee votes in the Minnesota election. Indeed, record absentee voting came in from Democrat-leaning parts of the state. If so, it seems reasonable to assume that Franken would have the edge on these absentee ballots.
Franken's people can do the work to find these voters, verify their right to vote, and make sure that they contest their vote before a judge. They do *NOT* need to do the same for Coleman voters who were also eligible voters.
In short, we could be talking about a thousand voters here... and Franken seems to have more grassroots and even paid assistance on getting these ballots reviewed. Again, advantage Franken.
In short, it's not just that the recount slightly favors Franken. It's that contested votes and previously discounted votes quite significantly favor Franken.
So yeah... from a statistical standpoint, Senator Franken seems quite likely.
November 20, 2008 9:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Franken wins, the Republicans will spend the next six years or more insisting that he stole the election.
It'll keep 'em off the street
November 20, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Rush Limbaugh will vaporize himself in a thermonuclear tantrum!
November 20, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Hillary is SOS and Franken wins - LOLOLOL!!! Rush probably will wind up in rehab.
November 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you kidding? With Hillary and Franken to pick on Rush will add another zero or two to his next contract.
November 20, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. To the 15 people who are still listening.
;)
November 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm just hoping that Senator Franken will put forth a Senate resolution that Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot.
November 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
And another that O'Lielly is a Big Fat Liar.
November 20, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I were a Senator Franken, I would want to come on the O'Reilly Factor for a bit of friendly banter.
"Mr. Franken... you said that..."
"That's SENATOR Franken, Bill."
"Ok then, Senator Franken... you said..."
"You know, Bill, perhaps you should consider running for office someday. Because, after all, you're *sooo* popular in your home state of New York... and it's a great place for people with ideas to help Americans, as opposed to those partisans out there who just want to tear others down."
November 20, 2008 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the memories....
http://www.truveo.com/Al-Franken-vs-Bill-OReilly/id/2067840708
For anyone that forgot (or has been under a rock): Franken vs. O'Reilly at a book expo in 2003. It's another "fucking thing sucks" moment for Bill-O.
November 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG, OMG, OMG!!! Please, please, please. Here's hoping in December!!! (Though I have a feeling Coleman will make sure this goes waaaaay beyond December).
November 20, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm optimistic too, but since this will drag on into December . . . wake me up when the fat lady sings!
November 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Franken should probably challenge more because the Canvassing Board might, inadvertently or otherwise, reject some Franken votes Coleman is challenging similar to ones that Franken is letting through because the canvassing board will be accepting more "Franken" votes because of Colemans petty challenges and the canvassing board will see their decisions as too lopsided and want a more balanced result.
(that was hard to describe - hopefully it makes sense)
November 20, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I mean given some of those released examples that are being challenged (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2008/11/19_challenged_ballots/), it could end up that the canvassing board is flipping a coin on the decisions.
Also the cavassing board could take a hardline stance - focus completely on the bubbles and only one bubble could be at all marked in - anything else and it's automatically rejected. If Franken is allowing ballots though that the canvassing board could reject, he;s doing himself a huge disservice.
November 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2008/11/19_challenged_ballots/
November 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was going to reply with that.
What do you think of the smudge-based challenges by Franken? I know what you are saying about needing to toss more challenges in just in case ... but if they aren't with merit isn't that sort of trying to steal someone's vote?
Don't get me wrong ... I'm with everyone else holding my breath hoping for Franken (and having a huge smile and belly laugh over Stevens) but the whole process sort of disgusts me.
November 20, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the one example on the MPR site, the ballot wasn't being challenged because of a smudge but because of a fingerprint. Identifying marks like name or SSN could allow vote buying -- a voter gets paid only after it's confirmed that his ballot was cast for a particular candidate.
In that "thumbprint" example, the vote-buying argument is laughably weak. I'd say count the ballot.
November 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I think in the exasmples shown, Franken had a couple of weak cases, so did Coleman. This is an exhausting process I am sure, but most reasonable people interpret those examples the same way, just look at the results from the game MPR has allowed us all to take part in. I don't see any bias towards Franken or Coleman, just what makes common sense.
November 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent points! If Franken is being reasonable and honest in the face of Coleman's team obviously questioning clear cut voter choices, you're right that Franken could be hurting himself if his team isn't challenging votes in the exact same way Coleman is.
If Coleman is questioning every single ballot where there is a mark anywhere near his name, Franken should do the same.
I can see how it would be hard for Al to stoop to Norm's level, but it may be necessary in order to get a fair count.
PEACE
November 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that strategy is counter-productive. If I were one of the judges and saw that one side was making substantially more frivolous challenges, I think that at least subconscious I’d less inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt on the close ones.
I saw a couple of ballots on the MPR site that I was a little embarrassed that the Franken team challenged. I think honest and reasonable is the way to go. Even if you lose, you would be able to sleep at night. Of course, if you are Coleman, that doesn’t apply.
November 20, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Minnesota law is clear: if the voter's intent is discernible, then extraneous marks on the ballot do NOT disqualify the ballot. The final decision on disputed ballots is made by a board of 4 judges and the Sec. of State. They will ALL follow the law, regardless of their political allegiances.
This is an honest process. Odds are still against Al Franken, who was the victim of the most vicious character assassination and ad hominem smear campaign seen in Minnesota since World War I . . . the war to "make the world safe for democracy" . . . . when "super-patriots" used shotguns and tar and feathers and illegal arrests to SUBVERT the election.
November 20, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Also the cavassing board could take a hardline stance - focus completely on the bubbles and only one bubble could be at all marked in - anything else and it's automatically rejected. If Franken is allowing ballots though that the canvassing board could reject, he;s doing himself a huge disservice."
The canvassing board does not have a great deal of latitude on what they accept and leave out. The standards, with common examples, are in the state statutes. It is not the intent of the state of Minnesota to conduct a survey on how well people fill in oval bubbles, the idea is to determine, if possible, the intent of the voter. Thus, by law, we accept the check mark or the X in relationship to a candidate's name, we accept putting a circle around a candidate's name, and several other variations. The role of the canvas Board is to follow and enforce State Law.
November 20, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tactically, Franken should challenge more ballots in districts that are likely to favor him, and fewer in districts favorable to Coleman.
I can't read the tea leaves here without knowing that I'm hugely more inclined to believe stuff that's encouraging and disinclined otherwise. So I'm leaving it to youz guyz to do that for me! :-)
November 20, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah. I was confused. You're talking about ballots already accepted but with possibly ambiguous markings. I was thinking about provisional ballots that haven't been opened yet. Duh!
November 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given the availability of these ballots for public review, the decision will have to be based on the ballots which are what they are. It appears there were some anti-liberal considerations when these ballots were first reviewed. But when the public eyes get to them, the intentions appear more clear. They were votes for Franken. I like the idea that Franken will win. We need someone in the Senate who can reveal how the Republican talking points are a joke. With no one effectively countering them until the Air America and the Daily Show took up the cause, it's time.
November 20, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Coleman's lead is down to 161 right now. It's been fluctuating all day but trending in Franken's favor.
http://ww2.startribune.com/news/metro/elections/returns/2008/recount/msenco.html
November 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please don't post any links related to the vote count. Please. I'll get addicted to checking the recount tallies for a Senate race in a state in another time zone from mine.
That's just sick.
November 20, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL! You are so adorable.
November 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm an addict. I was blathering to a friend yesterday about the Lieberman situation, and he just looked at me and said "I don't care what you say. I'm still happy about the election. Be quiet."
Not gonna happen, of course!
November 20, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now it's down to 159.
November 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALAL (fingers in my ears) I can't HEAR YOU....
November 20, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
158
November 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You people (above and below) are evil.
November 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mom always said I was a bit of a brat.
November 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
November 20, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
There isn't a recount tracker WIDGET available here, CT. so don't even bother looking for it.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/
also, you won't want to see the official daily result breakouts posted at 8PM CST, so whatever you do, don't go here:
http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/SenateRecount.asp
Still 157.... damn
November 20, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK. I went and looked.
And Coleman is now ahead by 160 votes. I'm obviously bad luck for Franken.
(Few people know this, but I'm the reason the Red Sox beat the Yankees in 04 to go on to the Series. I watched the first three games of the playoff series, but avoided watching the last four, and the Red Sox won. Need I say more?)
November 20, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
So that was you, eh? I looked and it had jumped from 155 to 160.
No more links for you!
November 20, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
157
November 20, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Y'all are cracking my shit up -
November 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
155 with 23% completed.
November 20, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's good enough, he's smart enough and gosh darnit, people like him.
November 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stuart Smalley rules!
November 20, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anybody but me remember the Comedy Central election night coverage when Clinton won in 1992? Franken was a big part of it, and it was wonderful! Throughout the evening they would go periodically to Roy Blunt Jr. sitting in a lounge chair in front of a bank of TVs, drinking beers, commenting on the returns and following the EV count. The grand finale in the wee hours was Franken singing "That's Infotainment" (to the tune of "That's Entertainment"). I was so happy anyway to see the end of 12 years of Reagan/Bush, but Al's performance was the capper for me!
November 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know I'm late to the comments, but I remember. Somewhat. I believe that I was fairly well intoxicated on really, really good alcohol. And I was a very happy drunk.
Franken was drawing in all of the states on a map in red or blue freehand with a marker. He started with Minnesota, hours before it was called, and said that he didn't care what anyone said, he was from MN and there was no way in h*ll it was going for Bush.
November 20, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I wrote in the other MN thread, there seems to be a tendency where Coleman was overvoted and Franken undervoted ...
And I suspect it's going to be even more obvious in the predominantly GOP districts - running against expectations that Coleman will pick up wind there.
Cool (though inexcusable, but we're used to Dem votes being "lost").
November 20, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the Star-Trib comments threads the GOP talking point is that Dem voters are so uneducated and dumb that they shouldn't have their votes counted ...
November 20, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would eliminate much of the southern republican vote, then. . .
November 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heck, it would eliminate a lot of the Republican vote everywhere!
November 20, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was trying to see if SFCWallace would bite (but you're correct, of course!)
:-)
November 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I did...and it wasn't Republican "Low Information" voters who they were scared would miss the Special election at the bottom of the ballot in Mississippi. It isn't Republican "Low Information" voters who get the "y'all vote on Wednesday" letters sent to them every time. Don't get me wrong...I'm against any polltesting as a requirement to vote (with the small exception of providing a picture ID) but if there was a test of any significance y'all know you'd never win another election. That's why you cry voter suppression every election.
November 20, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but it might be worth the laugh watching Palin not being able to vote for herself.
November 20, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
You betcha!
November 20, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Goodness. At least it's obvious what you think of Democratic voters. Too stupid to tie their shoes, evidently.
November 20, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, this is a riot Wally! There is no question what so ever that if there were any test of significance the anti-science, revisionist history, "Africa is a country" Repubs would not have a clue. Or a chance. Seriously. Heck, it has already been shown via studies that Faux News watchers have lower IQs and less education compared to the other media. Case close.
November 20, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was one breathtaking statement.
I thought it was well established that most voters with college degrees vote Democratic.
It's the inbred and backwards and superstition-ridden Xians from Oklahoma, through the Ozarks, across Apalachia into Western Pennsylvania, who are the Republican base now, my dear.
You ought to be careful what you say -
November 20, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Appalachia
November 20, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great. Now he's going to point to you and claim Democrats can't spell, either. ;o)
November 20, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, he's partly right. It depends on how rigorous the test is. A little rigorous and it hurts the Dems. Make it more rigorous, however, and it hurts the Republicans. Those who vote Democratic tend to fall on a U-shaped distribution when it comes to education: those without a high-school diploma and those with advanced degrees (Masters or Doctorates) tend to vote Democratic. Those in the middle tend to vote Republican.
Which just goes to prove the old adage: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. ;)
November 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
SFCWallace:"...Don't get me wrong...I'm against any polltesting as a requirement to vote (with the small exception of providing a picture ID) but if there was a test of any significance y'all know you'd never win another election. That's why you cry voter suppression every election."
Voter suppression is REAL. I am an active voter with an update, valid registration. I checked it with my County Clerk's office and the S of S's office before the NM Dem Caucus in February 2008. It was fine. I took my *official copy* of my registration with me to the Caucus and showed it to the poll workers. I was NOT on the poll list! This happened to thousands of people that day. An entire street of voters were missing. Everyone with last names starting with the letter 'A'--gone. Our poll lists are generated, not by the CC or SoS, but by the privatized company E S & S. 17,000 people had to vote by provisional ballot that day because of irregularities, myself among them. in the county bordering mine on the north 52% of the voters had to vote by provisional ballot. How do you explain all of this?
November 20, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Surprised the Repubs haven't held up a ballot for "Stuart Smalley" while claiming this is the ACORN type of vote fraud that is subverting democracy.
November 20, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean like *this?
*Warning: It's Malkin's site, so it may require stringent bathing after wards.
November 20, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I went in forewarned, but it was actually much more fun than I was expecting. It's a welcome change to see those people despairing instead of gloating. Heck, I could almost feel some sympathy for them in their diminished state...Almost.
November 20, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is my favorite:
That fucking made my day! LMAO!
November 20, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Though I really want Franken to win...he's an idiot. But he's our idiot. He's 100Xs better than Coleman ethically and is morally motivated...but he's still an idiot. It's so disappointing seeing what composes our senate. I just expected the very best and brightest to be senators. Maybe when we take out the cost of campaigning we would get more dedicated people running. I guess "none of the above" as a choice gets nothing accomplished. I do hope Franken wins it. Coleman is unfit. Bought and sold dishonest, self serving most corrupt incumbent, Coleman needs to go.
I believe that being a millionaire should exclude you from the senate and if you get to be one while a senator, must give up being a senator. Maybe it would lose it's reputation of being the "Millionaires club". Another good ole boy network who represent a self-created public more than the real public whose 1st issue is raising campaign money for their next run on a daily basis. Where survival is the key to legislating. What a system huh?
November 20, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
And you base your opinion that he's an idiot on?
I'm not trying to be Franken's champion, but I don't think he's an idiot.
November 20, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
My favoritie Franken proposal from the campaign:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/07/09/al-franken-calls-for-permanent-lobbying-ban-for-lawmakers/
November 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I doubt the poster has ever taken 2 seconds to listen to any of Franken's speeches or has read any of his material. Franken has a very sharp grasp of the issues (he didn't graduate from Harvard for nothing) and is a true "Wellstone" Democrat.
November 20, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nobody who has read "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" would call Al Franken an idiot. The book was funny but very well researched. Al Franken was one of the first people to strongly take on dishonest right wing media asswipes like Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reilly. He deserves a lot of credit for this. He's be a great senator.
November 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Coulter. Throughout the book, people ask Al "Is there something wrong with her?" Al's answer: "Yes. Yes there is something wrong with her."
November 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
Just cause he's a nice guy doesn't mean he's stupid. He's not.
November 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Back in September when I was in the low point in a bi-polar Obama obsession I re-read that book and it pulled me right back into optimism. And look where we are now! :-)
November 20, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't be silly. He's very intelligent, and overcoming the handicap of starting out as a career comedian and entering serious politics.
And as stated above -- "Lies" was a brilliant way of showing up the ignoramus fraudulent right for the manner in which they depend on deception to cheat the electorate of their true representation.
November 20, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
What they should do is have the names blanked out and the order shuffled and then the reps from each side could decide based solely on the voter markings and not trying to see it in favor of your candidate.
(of course that would take forever to do)
November 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a fun site:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2008/11/19_challenged_ballots/
See if you can agree on which ballots you would count for which candidate and which you'd (reluctantly, I'm sure) toss. I found challenged ballots from both candidates that I thought were pretty clear on what the (admittedly dopey) voter intended. I'm really unclear on what the "Lizard People" voter had in mind for this race, though. He or she clearly has some views that need a larger outlet.
November 20, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's pretty hilarious.
I thought voting was pretty straightforward. I stand corrected.
"Lizard People"?
November 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, they worship Jim Morrison, the Lizard King.
November 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Lizard People is clearly a reference to the Reptillians that have infiltrated all levels of society. For more info (and some laughs)...
http://www.thewatcherfiles.com/exposing_reptilians.htm
Damn! They got Al Gore!! (Yes, people actually believe this stuff).
November 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The site sure hasn't been updated in a while. I guess the Reptilians must have gotten the author...
November 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jeez! The things I didn't know about!!
So the "Lizard People" voter would like to vote these people into/retain them in office? Why? Glad I don't live next door to him/her!
November 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm confused. I thought if you drank blood and invited control you got a vampire.
No wonder he hasn't shown up yet. Now what do I do?
November 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm getting pretty damned tired of defending Minnesota against every damned thing.
So, we elected some wrestlers. One of them was Wellstone and that one turned out allright.
So, some of us elected Michelle Bachmann. I think the prevailing feeling was "at least it will keep her someplace safe where people can look after her and give her medications." What of it?
Now you find fault with one voter's preference the Lizard People too? I would like to point out that this voter wasn't just voting for ONE lizard person but for ALL of them collectively... perhaps this voter thought that colectivesly, the Lizard People could do something about black flies and mosquitoes. One doesn't know.
It might not be YOUR choice but you should please alllow us to have OURS.
November 20, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fair enough.
What's the reason for Coleman, though??
November 20, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Norm isn't FROM here, you see. He's from the east coast. His hotdish recipes and his new teeth are are both highly suspicious to the typical Minnesotan. We didn't like him at first, but then he took credit for bringing hockey back and WORSE, he put on a buffalo plaid shirt every chance he got. A few of our older and more impressionable people got confused and thought he was one of us afterall. If we had better healthcare and the elderly could afford Glasses, he wouldn't be our senator.
November 20, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, thanks to both of you Minnesotans for the intriguing background. Norm's a party-switching plaid wearing weasel, who's bamboozled the good voters of Minnesota with the glare from his fake teeth.
Tell you the truth?
I like Norm and Michelle, if only because people stop asking ME what's wrong with Connecticut voters....They're your Liebermans.
November 20, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
He switched from the Dems to the GOP back in 1996 and ever since has learned how to pass himself off as a practical "why can't we all just get along" centrist who gets things done. It's all utter bullshit, of course, but like him or hate him he knows how to play the game. MN Governor Pawlenty is the same way, which is why I sent 1000 kisses to heaven that McFool picked Palin as his Veep and not Pawlenty!
November 20, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
O pbbbbbththththt!!!!
You poor thing - I've seen Minnesota attacked so very often over the years. Yeah, us Texans have it easy compared to y'all.
lmao!
November 20, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think lizard people will ever be a factor in elections - almost all of them are anti-democratic monarchists.
All Hail the Lizard King!
November 20, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am the Lizard King...
I can do anything!
November 20, 2008 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Coleman's lead is down to 145 with 30% recounted.
November 20, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I used to wait on tables in New York. Franken was a regular. Very nice guy; his wife Frannie was even more so.
Nice to see he has a "camp" now!
November 20, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I got a brief conversation with him at the DFL state convention, besides seeing him in person at events a few times, and I always listened to his radio show. The people who talk about how awful he is are idiots. For my small part, I try not to let them get away with it.
November 20, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
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November 20, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink