Coleman Camp Treks Off To Court Again, Alleging Votes For Franken Counted Twice
The Coleman campaign is throwing yet another legal hurdle into Al Franken's path, in an attempt to alter the fundamental recount math that has been looking better and better for Franken.
The Coleman camp is going to the state Supreme Court again, this time pursuing another issue that they've been hammering: That an unknown number of absentee ballots appear to have been double-counted in the course of the manual recount. They've alleged about 150 incidents for Franken ballots so far, while the Franken camp hasn't gone after the issue on Coleman votes.
The Coleman campaign's proposed remedy is to go back to the Election Night totals in precincts that can't reconcile differences in vote numbers. This has an interesting potential ramification: It would essentially wipe out any gains Franken has made not only from apparent double-counting, but from any other disputed ballots that may have come from those precincts.
Late Update: The state Supremes have agreed to hear the case on Tuesday. There's never a dull moment around here.
What part of the word honest don't repugs understand?
December 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR NORM!!!
!!!COLEMENTUM!!!!
December 19, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
This probably will make the MN SC awfully happy the day after they told Norm to play nice.
John
December 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would pay good money to see Alan Page give Norm a head slap or a forearm shiver.
December 19, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too bad Page comes from the era predating the "sack dance" then. And yes, I'd even stand in line to see that.
December 19, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
He know it's over if that certification takes place while Franken is ahead.
The Senate will seat Franken even if there are still disputes.
December 19, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eric
You state: The Coleman campaign's proposed remedy is to go back to the Election Night totals in precincts that can't reconcile differences in vote numbers. This has an interesting potential ramification: It would essentially wipe out any gains Franken has made not only from apparent double-counting, but from any other disputed ballots that may have come from those precincts.
Could you explain why you think what kind of gains (in terms of numbers) that it would "wipe out"?
December 19, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
And even more great news for Norm.
According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press:
Coleman wants permission from federal regulators to use his campaign funds for a legal defense against two lawsuits filed against him. Campaign finance laws don't allow campaign money to be spent for “personal use.” The Coleman campaign is arguing that the lawsuits are politically motivated, and that the campaign money can be spent for legal fees.
I don't think that one's going to fly, either.
December 19, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, since the other people involved in the suits are all fellow Republicans, it's something of a stretch, isn't it?
December 19, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Coleman's going to be known as Frivolous Lawsuit Norm by the time Franken takes his seat in the Senate.
December 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given that Franken's lead is now over 250, these 150 ballots are moot.
December 19, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shouldn't claim preclusion be kicking in about now? The general rule most places is that a litigant who has filed a suit is barred from filing another one alleging something he could have alleged the first time around. After all of Norm's filings, it's hard to believe he hasn't reached that point yet.
December 19, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink