Think Progress

Franken leads by 225 votes after completion of recount.

Al Franken holds an unofficial lead of 225 votes over incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. “With the recount complete, focus immediately shifted to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which continued to consider a request from the Coleman campaign to alter the process and add more absentee ballots to be reconsidered.” Eric Kleefeld notes that “Minnesota law is unique in that it prohibits the issuing of an official certificate of election until the legal challenges are all resolved.”

UpdateSen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, threatened to a filibuster to block Democrats if they considered seating Franken.



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69 Responses to “Franken leads by 225 votes after completion of recount.”

  1. motorfingaz Says:

    Hahahahaha! Coleman you are done!!


  2. cd Says:

    Let that impotant twat Cornyn try it.

    You'd think he would have learned from McCains attempt at grandstanding that it doesn't work with the American people any more.


  3. DallasNE Says:

    This has turned out pretty much as expected.

    Looking back to 2000 I think we can probably say safely that the same thing would have happened in Florida had SCOTUS not stepped in. And, oh, how much different the world would be today had the actual winner been inaugurated.


  4. burro Says:

    So give the f'wit Cornyn a full set of the Encyclopedia Britannica and give him the Volume with the capital "A" on it and tell the jerk to start reading and keep reading until the Dems see the "error of their ways" or until the doofus Cornyn gets tired of acting like a fool. I wonder which will happen first? I wish I could be more certain of the answer to that question. After all, it would be really mean of Harry to make John back up his B.S.


  5. hanshiro Says:

    Are you kidding? Cornyn knows he's up against the Jellyfish Coalition, whose sole power seems to be the "Stern Letter Megasaur!"

    If a republican barks loudly enough, Reid collapses into a puddle of his own tears...after sending a stern letter.

    "Yeah, it’s sad, believe me missy,
    When you’re born to be a sissy,
    Without the vim and verve.
    But I could show my prowess,
    Be a lion not a mouse,
    If I only had the nerve...."


  6. USpace Says:

    .
    Just keep re-counting, and re-counting until Franken wins. Who says Mickey Mouse is not a real voter?


  7. TomR Says:

    Mickey Mouse? You must be thinking of the Florida presidential election from 2000.

    - Tom


  8. DNFP Says:

    USpace Says:

    Just keep posting and re-posting until someone listens.

    Who says a blog-post is any different than an in-audible fart?


  9. DNFP Says:

    Gotta love the smell of disgruntled regressives.

    It's going to be a great year.


  10. Shayne Says:

    USpace Says:

    .
    Just keep re-counting, and re-counting until Franken wins. Who says Mickey Mouse is not a real voter?

    No you people much prefer to stop counting before the actual winner gets recognized. All the votes are legitimate. It is Coleman who didn't want them counted. You people, with you idiot stealing the election and giving us the worst 8 years on record have some freaking nerve talking about inaccurate poll results.


  11. Alecto Says:

    DallasNE Says:

    This has turned out pretty much as expected.

    Looking back to 2000 I think we can probably say safely that the same thing would have happened in Florida had SCOTUS not stepped in. And, oh, how much different the world would be today had the actual winner been inaugurated.

    Dallas,
    We should also recognize that the Bush V. Gore also laid the precedent for the SCOTUS determining that the Recounting methods were unconsitutional, ergo they had to have a full state recount, and since there was no more time...Bush was selected as the winner. But, the silver lining is that that SCOTUS decision lays the groundwork for claims that ALL counties in ALL states MUST have the same voting methods, not just recounting methods. This then lays the groundwork for Federal control of the METHOD of voting across the land, with the same method, with the same recountability, and receipts, and open source code for any software, and transparent methods. This consistent method of voting also then allows for state-wide inter-district voting, allowing many more people access to the voting process, since they would no longer have to travel to their home district to vote. The electonoic voting machine would just recognize their distrcit, put up their ballot on the screen, and the tallies would be counted electronically towards the districts totals.

    And WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CITIZENS ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO VOTING. The Republicans are toast...FOREVER!


  12. old_hack Says:

    if Franken wins then the neo-liberal elitist monarchy is going to be at least entertaining...

    anyone see Howard Zinn giving a lecture on Democracy Now? better then listening to Chris Mathews...


  13. SP Biloxi Says:

    Coleman is hosed. And Cornyn needs to get a life and get over it! There is a new sheriff in town in Minnesota: Al Franken.


  14. had enough Says:

    Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, threatened to a filibuster to block Democrats if they considered seating Franken.

    absolutely incredible. This is a keeper for the next congressional election... a great example of the goppers going crazy and trying to destroy our country with filibusters.


  15. EugeneDebs Says:

    USpace Says:

    What an ignorant punk you are. I cant beleive how stupid you wingnuts are. You count until ALL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED. I know you whiny morons WISH states would only count as many votes as are necessary to let the Repugnicant win but in this country we actually like to count ALL the votes. You are so ignorant and such an embarassing piece of stupidity. Just go away and let the adults talk


  16. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    Funny, I seem to recall John Cornyn having this to say about filibusters a few years ago:

    I think filibusters are unconstitutional and they violate tradition of the Senate that has existed for about 200 years.

    True, that was specifically about filibusters of judicial nominees, but how is this that much different? It's even worse, it seems to me, because judicial filibusters are in response to the president's choice for a judicial post. Filibustering the seating of a duly elected member of the US Senate strikes me as far less constitutional.


  17. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    USpace Says:
    .
    Just keep re-counting, and re-counting until (the Democrat) wins

    I guess that's why it was so important to STOP the counting eight years ago, huh?

    Must suck for Republicans to be the guys who, whenever all the votes are counted fairly, are more likely to lose.


  18. Alecto Says:

    ralph,
    There you go with the evidence again. You know hows the Rethugnikkkans like to think what they say in the past is whisper in the winds, and will never come back to haunt them again. You. mean there are things called recordings? And people actually write down what these fukwits say?

    Unbelievable.



  19. had enough Says:

    USpace Says:

    .
    Just keep re-counting, and re-counting until Franken wins. Who says Mickey Mouse is not a real voter?

    Comments like this are out of the gopper talking points heard on right hate America talk radio - over and over and over....

    poor babies.


  20. joe cantwell Says:

    USpace Says:
    .
    Just keep re-counting, and re-counting until Franken wins. Who says Mickey Mouse is not a real voter?

    *

    poor baby.

    :)


  21. Alecto Says:

    I am sure Mickey Mouse would vote Rethugnikkkan as he was created by a corporation, and is a pure Corporate whore doing EVERYTHING he can to insure he betters the Corporatacracy. Mickey Mouse voted Repukikkkan.
    No doubt about it.


  22. TeleMan Says:

    Freepers' head go *pop!* Great fun!

    What's a WABOFBS?


  23. Alecto Says:

    Yes,
    It is always good to sew discord amonst the ReTardikkkans. Their heads-a-poppin' isn't so much fun over the last few years as the Koolaid has been congesting their arteries in their brains so the poppin' ain't getting such good amounts od blood out of 'em. They are just poppin, and not POPPING!

    Poor, poor, retards.


  24. USpace Says:

    .
    Outlaw 'Right of Center'!
    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    speech is like pornography

    when against socialism
    and the creeping nanny state
    .


  25. USpace Says:

    Oh I see...

    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    never mock Democrats

    it's just their religion
    you RIGHT-WING INFIDEL
    .


  26. barfly Says:

    USpace Says:

    Crappy Haikus for sale!

    Real Cheap!


  27. EugeneDebs Says:

    USpace Says:

    You are an ignorant brainwashed troll. The God of the Universe wants you to stop slandering him by associating him with your abject stupidity. Go pour yourself a nice steaming hot cup of STFU


  28. Perry logan Says:

    I notice Republicans have become terribly interested in election fraud, now that it's stopped working for them.


  29. pete Says:

    Cornyn is a dick. But what I'm really looking forward to is Lush Rimjob, Bill0, ins(H)annity, and their ilk, being faced with the reality of Senator Franken. The whole Reichwing machine is gonna suffer when a smart, rational, irreverent, satirist has a seat in the halls of power. Al isn't going to have to deal with a lack of microphones in his face. And I really doubt he will be caught without an answer.

    Smart people are the bane of the Reichwingers. Smart people with a bully pulpit are their worst nightmare.


  30. puppydog Says:

    TX......MN.......Hmmmmmm........could it be that Cornyn has ties to the same dude that illegally gave funds to Coleman? Interesting that out of the whole Senate the proposed filabuster is to be led by one who professes opposition to such.


  31. MapleStreet Says:

    " threatened to a filibuster to block Democrats if they considered seating Franken."

    Wow! Remember how last year you weren't supposed to fillibuster because it was such a bad thing.

    Seriously though, the fillibuster is a thing of last resort to stop an unconscionable act - and now the repubs are threatening fillibuster on whether the toilet paper feeds over or under the roll.


  32. trollsbwild Says:

    I can't wait until the results are certified tomorrow, just in time for Hannity's head to explode.


  33. slappy magoo Says:

    So the GOP is threatening to filibuster the seating of Franken.

    Whoop-de-poop.

    The GOP has made it clear they're plannning to filibuster as much Democratic/left-leaning legislation as possible, in the hopes that in2010 they can argue that Dems are as ineffective as they are supposedly immoral. So what's one more?

    If Reid had a spine, he'd make 'em filibuster, let them filibuster for days or weeks, whatever it takes, until the tide of public opinion turns completely against Repubs.

    And plan to vote on the economic stimulus package the day after they give up, when they're roo whipped to keep fighting.


  34. dixie blood Says:

    Sen. Cornholin's position is that the Senate will pick its own members and to hell with the people of Minnesota.

    This is an assault on the Constitution of the US.

    He should be charged with treason, arrested and tried!

    In MN he is an emnemy combatant!


  35. Quizmos Says:

    Can these be the same republicans who were so critical of the democrats for using the threat of the filibuster? I say let them do it! I'll watch.


  36. Tawdry Says:

    I've met Al Franken and I believe he'll be a great senator as was Paul Wellstone. Norm Coleman, on the other hand is a creep. He's a filanderer and has little respect for women. The Republicans have just got to do what they expected of us in 2000. GET OVER IT!!


  37. RAM Says:

    Does anyone know how come the threat of a filibuster is now treated as an actual filibuster?

    Seems to me that if the Senate leadership (and I realize ‘leadership’ is pretty much of a joke when it concerns Harry Reid) required actual filibusters instead of threats, there would be a lot less of them, and they’d revert to an action of last resort, which they’re supposed to be in the first place.

    I’ve never heard anyone explain why this policy of treating a threat as an act has crept into the Senate’s way of doing business, and I’d sure like to hear one.


  38. JerryJerr Says:

    Coleman is a Big Toothed Idiot. Go get them SENATOR Franken!


  39. Badger Says:

    I’ve never heard anyone explain why this policy of treating a threat as an act has crept into the Senate’s way of doing business, and I’d sure like to hear one.

    I think it has a lot to do with c-span 2.

    Senators reading from the Encyclopedia while the country burns does not make for Good TV.

    The Senate must realize that the Voters will not Stand for such antics.

    Still....I wouldn't mind Sen. Reid Calling their Bluff.



  40. katy Says:

    wow... watching cheeeney on face the nation...
    check out the table in front of him... his hands are either greasy or sweaty or both, but it's a mess...

    no doubt, with all the lying he's doing...


  41. katy Says:

    and, as to cornyn, anything i read didn't sound like he "threatened", sounded like a promise to me...

    and that's the repug plan for the coming years -
    O B S T R U C T I O N .


  42. katy Says:

    whew - good to know: obama did not seek advice from cheeeney...


  43. Badger Says:

    Yeah Katy,

    He would definitely Short Out a lie detector.

    I'd like to see Cheney on Face the Music.


  44. Briseadh na Faire Says:

    QUESTION:

    Would we feel the same way had the vote count gone the other way and the Democrats were threatening filibuster?

    In other words, is our position based on doing the right thing, or partisan politics?

    Just something to ponder, as I went over to the freerepublic site linked above and saw their comments. No need to reply here, but the situation does beg for some introspection.


  45. Badger Says:

    If any State can be trusted to find the truth about a close election, it is Minnesota.

    That's one Squeaky Clean State.

    Al Franken must relize that his State Split it's vote, and he needs to take Republican Views into consideration. I think he will.


  46. Marie Says:

    DallasNE - apparently you expressed what so many have thought.
    What if -----

    Franken will be the winner and Coleman will be out, but not without a fight. Cornyn's intention to filibuster will add to the growing public perception that repugniscum are juveniles engaging in obstructionist behavior.
    Sore losers - it's our turn to tell them to suck it up. Dems have been hearing that for 8 years.


  47. Dr. Hussein Matt Says:

    Badger Says:
    Al Franken must relize that his State Split it’s vote, and he needs to take Republican Views into consideration.

    Riiiiiiight, just like herr dubyah took into consideration the Democratic views after he lost the popular vote in 2000.


  48. Badger Says:

    Because President Bush did NOT take other views into Consideration...he has earned his place in History as America's Worst President.

    Karl Rove's gameplan of Winning 51% and Demonizing the Opposition has just about Ruined this Country.


  49. Briseadh na Faire Says:


    Badger Says:

    Karl Rove’s gameplan of Winning 51% and Demonizing the Opposition has just about Ruined this Country.

    Agreed. Rove was/is quite the student of Machiavelli.

    Now, what if the Republicans are forced to do an actual filibuster and shut down the Senate until the Republican Party's legal challenges run their course in Minnesota? No legislation will get passed for at least the first two months of Obama's presidency; no continued funding for wrapping up Bush's Wars; no economic stimulus as the economy continues its slide; no legislation to address the morass left behind by Bush&Co.

    Republicans, are you prepared to face the inevitable riots your actions will bring about this summer?


  50. fletc3her Says:

    This is great news for Al Franken. It should be difficult for the Republicans to overturn the will of the electorate in the courts. I'm sure they'll throw the kitchen sink at it.


  51. fletc3her Says:

    The filibuster threat is a bit overblown. The Republicans are blustering about not allowing Franken to be seated as a Senator until he is officially confirmed by Minnesota. I don't know that anyone seriously proposed seating him before he was confirmed. Generally, the Senate does allow a freshman Senator in Franken's position attend some of the orientation events since there would be little harm even if Coleman ended up keeping his seat.


  52. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    Get ready for the next talking point to come from the Rethugs. They are going to say that the Democrats disenfranchised military voters because the recount didn't include military votes that didn't arrive until after the cut-off date.

    But, if they insist that these military votes be counted, then the state will have to count all votes that arrived after the cut-off date in order for there to be "equal justice" for all.

    I listened to SOS Mark Richie's statement after watching the recount on uptake.org. He was amazing. He actually expressed his personal opinion that he was very disappointed in the SC ruling that allowed Norm Coleman to disenfranchise over 400 voters by not agreeing to have their their mistakenly rejected votes counted. He also talked about the military votes and said that he will be working on a new way for the military to vote so that they won't have to worry about their ballots making it in time.

    Coleman needs to concede. Even if he wins the 133 lost vote challenge and the 100+ double counted vote challenge, he still won't have enough votes to win.

    But, he will file a lawsuit anyway, for spite and for the "good of his party" so they can gum up the works even more for Obama. I'm even willing to bet that the Republican Party will be paying Coleman to file suit to drag out the certification.


  53. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    Badger Says:
    Al Franken must relize that his State Split it’s vote, and he needs to take Republican Views into consideration.

    Not necessarily. The third party candidate Barkley got 16% of the vote and it is generally conceded these votes would have gone to Franken if Barkley wasn't in the race.

    Also, if your way of thinking would be recognized as valid, there are a lot of Republicans in Congress who squeaked through and should therefore give Democratic views their consideration. Or, does it only work one way like mostly everything the Republicans believe?


  54. Dig Dug Says:

    So, how many seats will that make now for the democrats in the senate? I've lost count.
    Any how many senators will by in caucusing with the democrats?
    Are we up to 60?


  55. McWars Says:

    Dig Dug Says:
    So, how many seats will that make now for the democrats in the senate? I’ve lost count.
    Any how many senators will by in caucusing with the democrats?
    Are we up to 60?

    59. If Chambliss has his ass thrown the curb we'd be at 60.


  56. McWars Says:

    Dig Dug Says:
    So, how many seats will that make now for the democrats in the senate? I’ve lost count.
    Any how many senators will by in caucusing with the democrats?
    Are we up to 60?

    59. If Chambliss had
    his ass thrown the curb we'd be at 60.


  57. Badger Says:

    Bilbo,

    You are probably right about Barkely voters, but without a run off, no one really knows.

    In any case, Franken Must realize that he Squeeked by in this election. Obama won Big in Minnesota, so Franken won't be going out on a limb in supporting his agenda...But

    Franken needs to appear somewhat moderate, and listen to those who did not support him....or he may become a One Term Senator.

    As for the Republicans..I heard Sen. McConnell on the Sunday talk show today. He was anything but STRIDENT....and was talking about Hearings and Republican Input...Not Filibusters and Blocking Legislation. Backpeddling????


  58. Marie Says:

    Although it would be nice if he were being honest, I did not think McConnell was backpedaling today on ABC today.
    No matter what he says on national TV, what he does when he goes back to the Senate is something else.
    We have observed this time and time again - rethugs are corrupt, devious, manipulative, partisan ideologues -- I don't trust any one of them -- their word is nothing.
    When someone shows you who they are, believe them.


  59. joe cantwell Says:

    THE BEST OF USpace:

    USpace Says:
    .
    Just keep re-counting, and re-counting until Franken wins. Who says Mickey Mouse is not a real voter?

    January 4th, 2009 at 12:13 am Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    *

    USpace Says:
    .
    Outlaw ‘Right of Center’!
    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    speech is like pornography

    when against socialism
    and the creeping nanny state
    .

    January 4th, 2009 at 2:15 am Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    *

    USpace Says:
    Oh I see…

    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    never mock Democrats

    it’s just their religion
    you RIGHT-WING INFIDEL
    .

    January 4th, 2009 at 2:31 am Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    *

    USpace Says:
    Mmmm…

    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    Larry Craig for president

    Sherry Johnston shares
    Rush's drugs - WITH ME!
    .

    January 4th, 2009 at 2:31 am Recommend (0) | Report Abuse

    :)

    thank you.

    *


  60. sacopenapa Says:

    THERAWSTORY HAS A VERY RECENT FOOTAGE OF US BACKED ISRAELI WAR CRIMES IN GAZA. CHECK IT OUT AND LET OTHER AMERICANS KNOW

    !


  61. Fred Says:

    Eric Kleefeld notes that “Minnesota law is unique in that it prohibits the issuing of an official certificate of election until the legal challenges are all resolved.”

    You might as well try to fillibuster the wind.....this will be considered final an unchallengable due to the process. As many have noted it will just point out what the republicans do.....we will use it against them.


  62. dasm Says:

    How can you filibuster someone who is legally elected? Republicans truly seem to hate democratically elected people, and democratically held elections.


  63. makkale Says:

    Coleman is hosed. And Cornyn needs to get a life and get over it yes this one is! There is a new sheriff in town in Minnesota: Al Franken.


  64. wiley Says:

    Why is counting votes so hard?


  65. LiberalVoter Says:

    Even though I do not live in Nevada, I have left a message with Reid's office asking him to not cave in and take an active stand against this Cornyn bullshit. Pebbles in the ocean but at least I contacted him.


  66. Cal Malenky Says:

    Cornhole Cornyn. Always a class act. Another Country First republican speaks up.


  67. ElBruce Says:

    Hmm, perhaps they could also filibuster Cornyn's seating? I mean, if he really wants to go there, we could just nuke the whole damn thing and end up with a Democratic majority of 58-0 (No Franken, no Republicans).

    Everybody check your couch cushions and see if you can find Reid's testicles.

    P.S: Is USpace trolling? I don't understand what it's talking about.



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