Personal to Larry:

Funny thing, Franken is smarter than Coleman. Being a Harvard graduate does that, you know!!!

Coleman has been constantly and in the open taking bribes throughout his term and using his influence to gain employment for his wife, so Minnesota would be much better off without him representing it. Riding into the Senate on the death of his opponent is all he was capable of.

Its time to boot the Bush rubber stamper Coleman! He is really sweating that his corrupt party's voter supression efforts might not have worked in Minnesota! Typical Rupugnantcan tactics!

Stick to Sean Hannity win one for the people, go Franken.

How could they take anything Franken says seriously? Maybe because this is the same state that elected Jesse Ventura–a former boa-wearing wrestler and action movie star–to be their governor. After him, Franken pales in comparison. And don't even get me started on the governor race in California, where Ah-nold won, and a former porn star (Mary Carey) was running for the office. I think we've officially gone off the deep end as a country if we're voting actors, comedians and porn stars to lead us.

Franken is a joke,he makes me laugh—stay in entertainment, it fits you,how could you take anything he says seriously???

I know the law requires a recount, but even hand counting isn't perfectly accurate. It would be better to have a runoff election.

You mean it could get uglier! I hope this count is fairer than the first, and that Franken comes out the victor.

This is our time to shine. I hope and pray that we Dems do it with savvy and intelligence all the way! We must continue to set an example of how individuals are supposed to behave!

May God continue to bless our President, Vice President, families, staff, America and the world. Let's not be selfish, no man/woman is an island! We need each other – especially now!

P.S. I know I have a lot of !!!!!s, but that's how I'm feeling these days, very !!!!!

Come on MN we need sixty.

was franken born in the USA

again, a bunch of poeple from other states tellign us we are trying to cheat in Minnesota.

Your not talking from experience or sense. You have no clue what is going on here, you just spout whatever Rush and Oreilley tell you to. Your all lemmings.

Al Franken has as much right to be a senator as Regan had to be a president. Wait… Franken actually HAS an education, unlike old senile Ronny. Oh, and HELLO… How about the Governator?

Yeah, until the republicans get educated you have no place to speak down to your intellectual superiors. Remember, Minnesota is an education state. Our 5th graders are smarter than you high school graduates.

In response to Syed Shamsuddoha:

"Can someone please explain how this recount might (or might not) potentially change the outcome of the election since there is no more hanging chad or anything of that nature any more. The machine-readable ballots are pretty straight forward and the machines are not specific to any candidate. Am I the only one to have this kind of perception? Or it's a legitimate question. i am lost."

In Minnesota, it's a fill-in-the-bubble ballot. The questionable ballots are the undervotes; either they didn't vote in the race or they didn't fill in the bubble completely.

you stupid Repugs don't get it, don't you. The LAW requires a recount in that case. Is that too difficult to understand? Of course, the law is only good when it supports your fraudulent causes. Morons!

Why is there so much negativity about Franken? He is more than qualified for the Senate!!!

So what if he was a comedian, so what if he uses humor in articulating his ideas??? He is well read, knowing the issues, and would be a great addition to the Senate, helping not only the state of Minnesota, but the country.

My fingers are crossed that the election will go for Sen. Franken! Make me PROUD Minnesotans!

Strange how democrat votes begin to materialize when it is so close!

Franken-Stien will win!

Give it up Franken, this is not another one of your jokes. Washington only needs serious and qualified people, please.

Looks like Minn. has a mandate for the Repubs! Smart!
Now kick Frankie out of here! It's time for him to scoot!

I also find it funny that the only states that went to "recounts" or were "too close to call" were ones in which Republicans won.

I`ll support Paul but I wouldn`t support Kucinich.Oh and Franken…go home you lost the people of Minnestoa don`t want your far-left rhetoric.

I'm pessimistic..I smell a Franken defeat…then I'd go even nuttier about the whole "fillibuster proof" thingy and Judas Joe Lieberman..God I hope I'm wrong! Let Al Franken "plow through" that door, please!
Well, one way or another…I'm confident! At least we have Obama!
Signed,
One Christian (Orthodox) who feels alienated (outsider) by the Evangelicals.

If the voting system was reliable there wouldn't need to be a recount, it would be right first time. I guess I'm dreaming. It will never happen. There's always room for human error (or invention).

I find it a little odd that the problems arising from votes are in very pro-democratic areas, where every single vote has been changed from R to D or all new votes went to the D side.

Not ONE DARN vote when to the other guy, when several thousand were recounted.

I'm sorry, but that's impossible. Both sides steal elections… that's why I refuse to support anyone with an R or D by their name except Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich…

Can you only imagine if they had done this in Florida in 2000? Imagine the last eight years with a president Gore instead of chimp. Makes me want to cry or scream. Oh well. Once again the Democrats have to bail the nation out of the incredible hole left by the republicons. Same old same old. republicons lie and scheme enough to scrape back into power, royal mess up the country, then hand it over to Democrats to fix while the republicons wallow in all the wealth they stole from the working people and plundered resources while they held power.

If you voted republicons in the past decades — look in the mirror, wag a finger at yourself saying shame shame shame. Then hang your head and promise you will never do anything that foolish or destructive ever again.

The GOP are just pizzed off because they know if Franke wins here the Dems will be at 59 for senate seats (inluding independents) and the only thing stopping them from reaching a filibuster proof 60 senate, would be the runoff election on Dec. 2nd down in Georgia.

Hey, 215 votes is still a majority. I smell a rat. Recounts are always untrustworthy. Fortunately I live in Texas and not Minnesota. Remember the good old days of Jesse Ventura?

coleman is a slime ball. He totally played a disgusting game with the race after the tragic death of one of the senate's great men, Paul Wellstone. The fact that a slimy bush republicon is in Wellstone's seat makes me want to vomit. I only wonder what the people of Minnesota were thinking that made this race even close. Al Franken may be ascerbic and a little goofy, but his positions are excelletn, well researched, and well thought out. Nothing from the republicon party fits that bill.

To the Southerners out there…don't you have a Jerry Springer episode to tape with your pregnant daughter or your brother-in-laws wife?! Of course you do.

Go Al…Coleman is a crook!

Why can't we, in the age of such technological advances, figure out a way for all citizens' votes to count, as well as a fool proof way to count them. I saw a little of the counting on CNN this afternoon, and trust the good folks in Minnesota will do it right. Best wishes to them.

Bush/Cheney made it clear that a Republican WILL STEAL an Election given the chance! Is Colemen's brother the Governor by chance? Just asking…..

You know, every so often the country just changes its mind. I can accept that. I can accept a President Obama. I can accept a Democratic majority. I can accept a Democratic supermajority. But you people in Minnesota are telling me that even though this is the Democrats' year, and even with Barack Obama and the big change in Congress and Ted Stevens losing and everything else going the Democrats' way, the best you can send to Washington is AL FRANKEN???

Once again, you dems are showing your true color on this issue. No one in their right mind thinks that Franken has the votes. He is a ridiculous comedian that isn't even good at that! But you dems are okay with him stealing the election. You may not like Coleman but at least be for truth to prevail….

They do need to look at those questionnable ballots. Every vote should be counted. Period!

Can someone please explain how this recount might (or might not) potentially change the outcome of the election since there is no more hanging chad or anything of that nature any more. The machine-readable ballots are pretty straight forward and the machines are not specific to any candidate. Am I the only one to have this kind of perception? Or it's a legitimate question. i am lost.

Cheers.

S

The challenges that are taking place on these ballots are ridiculous. Most of the challenges are coming from Franken's people and they are purely ridiculous. They are challenging what is CLEARLY a Coleman vote, but they challenged it because the person did not stay in the lines of the circle. Get a life. We may have elected Jesse Venture, but at least he had some experience. He was a mayor of city that was not small by any means. What experience does Franken have…NONE! The Dems are trying to obtain their fillibuster through the most ruthless means. As an American citizen, I am disgusted.

Hopefully, the Republicans will be able to prevent Franken from adding any more fraudulent votes into the mix.

JRBS—
Thanks for the insight. As someone who has visited Minnesota several times I can see how important your rights are to you and that you are not afraid to vote in someone who has ideas, instead of the same old, same old.

Just count the votes. Count all of the votes and whoever wins, wins.
It does not have to be difficult and no one then has to complain although if Franken pulls ahead, I am sure the right wingers will be fit to be tied.

They absolutely need to make the election process "fool-proof" nation wide!

Meanwhile – VP elect Biden has cupcakes!! now we're talking! Bring coffee or tea – lets just take a break. Please.

We now see the wisdom of Obama … get as close as you can to 60 senators then flip a couple of republicans on fillibusters.

In two years, we'll gain more seats and then we can shoot you know who….

Coleman needs to leave.

@ N,
For the record, Al Gore had more votes than Bush did when the networks called it for Bush.

The republicans may now reap what they have swoan, they wanted one true and strong party in power now they have it. The Democrats

Remember those half wit college Republicans yelling at the recounters in Florida like a bunch of retards ? Why do people laugh at USA now anyways again ?

A word from ground zero… most Minnesotans are fine with this recount and do not consider it a waste of resources. This is a state that believes in their right to vote as is exemplified by the VERY high consistent voter turn out in this state. Every thing is legal, and, while there will be wrangling from both sides, we will accept what comes back after the recount.

Personally, I'm rooting for Franken. If you haven't lived in MN, you may not realize how much of a sleazebag Coleman is; a politician who's personal views change with the winds of power as he has already switched from the Democratic to Republican parties. His regular daliances with his mistress are one of the biggest secrets in the state.

Franken is a Minnesota native – not some carpetbagger – and INCREDIBLY well versed in politics. And, given how undervotes tend to go, I believe we will see the 206 vote margin for Coleman swing to Franken by the end. Coleman knows this which is why he's calling for Franken's concession. Honestly, if it were the other way around, with Franken holding a small lead, we would see the recount happen (which is state LAW), but we wouldn't expect as much drama; Franken's just going to get more votes as the process continues.

Bring it on, it's worth it. The whole country's waiting so get it right.

Good. I hope it gets really messy. Go Al!

Let the recount begin! Where you like or dislike Al Franken, there is a thing called the voting process–ugly or not.
Why would Minnesotans vote for a political comedian? Remember, they voted Jesse "The Body" Ventura, the former wrestler, their governor not too long ago. Why would you be shocked now?

MIke in Syracuse,

I knew agreeing with you on the Romeny post would be a one time thing.

The screw-ups happened over the first six years with a Republican president and a Repulbican congress. And a Democratic minority with no backbone.

Believe me, most of us don't care if we get to 60 or not. Frankly, I prefer we don't. If the Republicans decide to obstruct, I want everyone to know it.

Let's face it………….truthfully. Franken and the 'dems' will do anything to win, and the ones who are on his team, unfortunately, have more power than they should have in the vote recounting. Sad……. What has this country come to?? Truman must be rotating in his grave. He was a TRUE democrat that was not 'shady'.

I was an election judge and what I observed at our precinct was the utmost in civility and honesty by everyone who worked the polls—Dems and Repubs alike. Over 90% of my precinct cast ballots and I helped register over 400 new voters that day. Minnesota is tops in the nation for election integrity and methodology. Other states have chosen to emulate our election model. Our Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, is managing the recount with total transparency: Public education about the process, daily–sometimes hourly–press briefings, and a non-partisan approach.
So you can mock and knock our candidates, but remember: MINNESOTA IS NOT A "FROZEN FLORIDA!"
FYI: Franken has superior intelligence, a populist heart, and progressive ideals—he's a natural successor to Paul Wellstone. It's a shame that this race is so close.

Al Franken will do anything to get power. He is an idiot.

just checked, there are approximately 3.1 million registered voters in MN and 2.9 million of them voted. That's close to 94% voter turnout! Good for you MN! Every vote must be counted.

I just hope they dont go down the "intent of the voter" route like they did in Florida.

Mike wrote:
Hopefully, the Democrats will not be able to steal the election, much like their attempts in Florida in 2000.
Say what? Let's set the record straight here, all you revisionists:
With the help of his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris, Republican appointed Florida Attorney General, George Bush came to power when the recount was STOPPED before all the votes could be counted, in the greatest election frauds in US history. This after entire boxes of ballots mysteriously disappeared from precincts throughout the state, only to be delivered hours later by State Police and County Sheriffs with no record of having picked them up! The Shrub was APPOINTED by the (mostly Republican-appointed) US Supreme Court in case which even they admitted was unprecedented (and by the way, has no support in the US Constitution, or anywhere else for that matter) AND limited to that case by agreement, carrying NO legal authority whatsoever.

We should thank our lucky stars it can never happen again.

Such a short margin…I say do a runoff election. Anything that close should happen….

Concerning no minorities being in the room during the recount, please look up the census in that state and you will find a lily white plain. Just because Obama is president now 2 out of every 5 talking heads is black, doesn't mean we need the "Black perspective" in every issue. Its ok to trust whitey sometimes, after all we've made it this far.

Mr. Coleman, I am sorry I was unable to burn the absentee ballots, but that would have been illegal. However, accidentally (wink, wink) misplacing or disqualifying Democratic ballots is not. Unfortunately, election officials are beginning to locate these ballots. However, please don't be alarmed, I continue to do my best, as I was taught by the GOP best,…to deceive!!

Why is anybody shocked by this? They elected Jesse Ventura governor and he was a wrestler! This is what's wrong with America. Everyone claim's to be tired of politicians but then people get confused when a pure outsider runs for office. Who cares if he was a comedian. It's time that the comedians, plumbers (just not joe), factory workers, delivery drivers, etc. start running for office. Everyday people will make the right decisions for America. It's time to put an end to the status quo of politics in this country.

based upon the history of the Florida election; the republicans have cheated again.

Minnesota = EPIC FAIL

THIS IS A DEMOCRACY….EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

And for every vote to count, every vote must be counted.

I wish the 2000 Supreme Court would have held the same belief; maybe we wouldn't be in the economic and military hole that we're in.

I believe in Al Franken…just because a person participated in a silly TV show (or series of movies — see Ronald Reagan) that doesn't mean that they are disqualified from public service! Read his books…
I think you'll find a person increasingly informed and ready to take on the beaurocratic nightmares that face the common folks. Whether he wins or not, I'm proud of Americans who are willing to put their money (and their time) where their mouth is! You won't find Rush running for office, because it's too easy to complain and berate, but too difficult to actually lead and make the big decisions.

Democrats going to do their dirty best to steal another one.

LOL, now that the right wing is thankfully out of power I just get such a good laugh at the absolute bitter nonsense that the few, and I mean few right wingers post here. I said this on another story but you people need to worry about the nation, your own Republican party that is in defeated ruins and your own nothing lives. JJ in NY, you're a pitiful fool, Mark you need to stop eating those paint chips, they're making you stupid man. And finally "both sides are spinning" you are the worst of them all. I have more respect for a Republican who votes than a self-described intellectual who excuses his nonvoting and his apathy with paragraphs of obscure doubletalk that were written a half-century ago by addle-brained political theorists. People like you are the worst and live for ridiculous conspiracy theories, i.e. The World Trade Center was destroyed by controlled demolition. And I know you few right wingers don't know what you're talking about most of the time but you need to learn more about Al Franken then what you hear with trash like Prager, Hannity, Limbaugh and the supreme has been Dennis Miller. Otherwise you're just acting like the witless fools you really are.

Sen. Norm Coleman is going down on the Republican cruise ship that hit an iceberg (the economy). Let's hope Sen. Saxby Chambliss is on that voyage too! Bon voyage to the bottom of the ocean for them.
Their Executive Officer, Sarah Palin, has already departed the ship like a scurrying rat. And, if Senator McCain gets lucky, he'll be rescued by the SS Obama.

How do people think that Franken has won? He's behind. No wonder the same delusional people somehow think that Florida in 2000 was stolen when Bush never trailed.

Interesting that all of the DIMocrats here think Obama must have filibuster-proof majority in the Senate to get anything done. President Bush NEVER had a filibuster-proof majority (and for 2 years hasn't even had a simple majority) and you kooks blame him when you catch a cold.

The DIMs have a solid majority in both houses, so everything that goes wrong in the next 4 years will be Obama's fault. (even bad weather!!!)

This could go either way. There could easily be 2 or 3 thousand ballots which were "unreadable" by machine. The intent on many of the ballots should be apparent to a human being who looks at them. If the people who produce these ballots "lean" Republican, then Coleman will win. If they "lean" Democratic, then Franken could get the majority.

No cheating!!!

scott Tucson- John McCain isn't president, that won't happen, wake UP

Every time i read about recounts, challenges and all this a thought pops into my mind: why did we in Germany, in 60 years of democratic elections on local, state and federal level, NEVER, not ONCE, had these problems? Why would someone force by law an "automatic recount"? You get it RIGHT FIRST TIME!

I admit, we do handcounting with a representative of every party on the ballot on every counting table in every precinct. That is quite expensive, slow and tiresome. But we have CORRECT results within 24-72 hours. Maybe someone from the FEC should take a look at our system…

Just count the votes and stop the GOP voter suppression.

"Hopefully, the Democrats will not be able to steal the election, much like their attempts in Florida in 2000."

Good thing the Republicans succeeded in stealing it first.

I think it is so funny to read these blogs and the number of right-wingers threatening to move to Canada..where gay marriage is legal…where they have socialized healthcare…where they speak two languages…all of the socially liberal things right-wingers whine about and swear it will tear our nation apart when proposed here. Socialism with thier democracy – Isn't that what they were sooooo scared of Obama for?

So, I've come to the conclusion that either right wing bloggers didn't do their research about Canada before speaking or all of those things they go into a tizzy about don't really bother them in real life.

I don't like the chances of the Democrats in this recount.The Republicans are very good cheaters and live for these situations.Just say Bush,Cheney and Rove,they are going to jail for the same reasons.

Hey which state has a senate election next year. I wanna move there before the deadline so I can run for senate, Forget about being from the state or never living there. Its more important to get someone in there who could win and help your party out not the people who live there. I wanna be a modern day carpetbagger.

That is a whole lot of counting they've got to do, wow!!!

I'm sorry, Minnesotans – your state is beautiful, but your politics are a circus. Really…Al FRANKEN?!?!

Wow. Cmon Franken! Dont listen to the critics. Any morron knows you cant reason with hate, judgement, hyppocracy, and ignorance of silly little things like facts. So just let them go on and on with their, what did they call it, ah yes, "whining", while we try and undo the damage their rhetoric and "misleading language" has done the the true spirit of this democracy. Dems arent perfect, but we dont just preach life, we actually express it.

The things Coleman has said since election day are just shameful. What a scumbag. His declaration of victory before the votes have been counted, his suggestion that Franken should decline the recount "for the good of MN" (more like for the good of Norm Coleman), and his continued suggestions that counting all eligible voters is somehow undemocratic – all this makes me even more eager to get rid of him than I already was. I find Franken personally kind of annoying, but I think he'll make a good senator.

Remember, in Minnesota a recount is automatic when the margin is within 0.5%. The margin of 215 votes is 0.0074%. There is no doubt that more than 215 votes will change through the course of the recount. The machines in MN are more accurate than some machines in other states, but they're not perfect. I highly doubt they're more than 99.9926% accurate. And then there's human error. MN law requires ballots to be counted if the voter intent is clear, even if the voter didn't prepare the ballot in a way that makes it machine-readable. The only thing that remains to be determined is which way, if any, the final vote tally will move. This isn't politics, it's accounting. Let's let them do their jobs.

This whole thing sounds like a Saturday Night Live Stuart Smalley skit where you could never understand the punch lines to know when to laugh.
What's next, Mr Bill and Sluggo as Cabinet members? Guess not because they weren't part of the Clinton Administration.

I used to be an election judge in MN. We always ran clean elections. A recount is automatic (if I remember right) if there is less than 500 between two candidates. Those of you that try to say Jesse or 3rd party candidates as a bad thing, maybe the US should consider it more. Gives you more to choose from and Jesse was a relatively good governor. Way better than Humphrey or the other guy who ran,and, while they took if for granted, Jesse woke up the electorate. I think we need more than two to choose from. But two candidates' worth of publicity and advertising was way too much for me and if there had been a 3rd or a 4th….OM Gosh, it would have been terrible. Just think what we could do with the millions of bucks that were spent on advertising.

I am reminded of those Bushie Brownshirts that physically stopped the counts in Florida 2000, 'til they could get all their ducks lined up. hopefully, they don't have all the ducks this time. Coleman's brother is not the gov of Minnesota and that crazy Michele Bachmann lady isn't the sec of state.

Ok.. here we go.. take 2.. maybe they'll be able to find people who actually know how to count, and which numbers come after which

Al Fraken has a higher IQ than most people on the planet. But of course republicans want somebody likeable and cute and have character like Bush and Palin that don't have a clue. Dittoheads the times they are a changin…hope Al Fraken wins and does well.

Al Franken,

Hang in there I've heard there is going to be a suprise that will go Mr. Franken way. Just you wait!!!

The bottom line is you lost. Deal.

Just because the GOP is ahead now doesn't mean he will be after a recount.

The Govenor race in 2004 in Washington state had 3 mandated recounts – the GOP candidate was ahead in the first 2 – not by much, but a few. In the 3rd, and last mandated recount, the Democrat came out on top by 133 votes.

You would not believe the voting ballot fiaco in that election. Over 2 million votes cast and it came down to 133.

In a rematch this year, the Dem beat the same GOP by well over 100K votes.

Franken has a right to the recount!

Hopefully, the Democrats will not be able to steal the election, much like their attempts in Florida in 2000.

hari, republicans did not steal anything in 2000, everybody wants to blame the gop, and say that the us supreme court decided it, but can we also remember that there was a democratic state supreme court in the heart of it. I guess people will argue that they were right! what a joke. the 2000 debockle happened because of a confusing butterfly ballot supposedly misinformed voters. everyone forgets that both sides aggreed on this before the election. it is sickening that democrats always whine when something doesn't go there way.

How can anyone in Minnesota who voted for that jerk Franken look at themselves in the mirror? What were thinking? Even the Dems are hoping Coleman wins; they don't want Franken in the Senate with them. Franken is one of the most disgusting, despicable, unqualified persons who ever ran for public office. What an absolute disgrace and fraud if he "wins"

The story calls Franken a "progressive" talk show host. Does that mean Mr. Coleman is NOT progressive? Franken is not progressive; he is a liberal or leftist. If Republicans can be called "conservative" or right wing, Franken can be called "liberal" or leftist.

Maybe the GOP should file bankruptcy and disappear like they want the auto industry to do!

Coleman is scared because most of the ballots with undervotes are from heavily democratic counties. He will probably lose after the recount, so he doesn't want it to happen. No wonder it's ugly up there….

215 votes? And they think a recount is going to be any more accurate? Is the state of Georgia the only one that knows how to do this right? Just have a run-off election — oh, and actually count all the votes this time.

No, children the only reason we've had so many problems with elections since 2000 is that Republicans have been attempting to rig elections. Get it close and then flip votes and disqualify "questionable" ballots.

It's all very dull for the poor recounters but iI can feel the Republicans almost crying in impotent frustration and it makes me feel good.

Franken will win fair and square. Why is it suddenly such a bad idea to have a recount in a very tight race. Seems like normal procedure to me and most other rational person.

Then again, I'm not the one watching power slipping slowly from my grasp. This is so much fun!

Wolf, as i watched the Situation Room today and the recount in Minn. I saw no minorities in the room. That is one reason that makes things look bad.

Franken! Franken! Franken!

Of course it's going to get ugly.It already is….did you see those two guys,whoa,that's ugly……

How much does this recount cost? Lets just say both don't win and we pick a better candidate. Maybe Mrs. Palin

How is it that Bush was able to screw up the economy in the last 2 years with a Democratic Congress, but Obama needs a filibuster proof majority to get anything done? Can't a simple majotrity fix things since a simple majority let the get screwed up?

Dems should enjoy the next 4 years, after that when Change have not materialized, troops still in Iraq, taxes are raised across the board, Blacks realizing they still have to find a job, pay their mortages, buy gas for their cars. People would be demanding another change by voting the dems out as they did to the Republicans this year.

calling on either candidate to concede is unpatriotic, and un-American!

Count every vote. It's democracy!

Al Franken is in the race it's already been ugly for a long time.

@anthonybrown — Just like the democratic candidate in Alaska should have conceded? When he was 3,000 votes behind? The difference here is much less and every vote should be counted accurately.

To all of you who are referencing the Florida 2000 recount, you need a history lesson: it was Bush's folks who disputed the count.

But then I guess that's not a Rush talking point, huh?

counting every vote is not a waste of money. Not counting votes, or any desire to stop counting based on the "waste of money" argument is un-american, antipatriotic, and shortsighted.

Count every vote, then we will know who won.

If you think counting votes is a waste, move to a country that doesn't have elections. and dont let the door hit you on the way out!

This is funny. From the way I'm hearing it, the only way the Demomorons to achieve any kind of success is to achieve the presidencey and a fillibuster proof super majority?

If that doesn't happen are the demomorons gonna blame bush, cheney, mom, dad and apple pie again?

Are the demomorons already making excuses?

P.S. – How is gonna play obama the logo president on SNL for the next four years? Eddie Murphy? Chris Rock? Charles Barkley?

Th thought of Coleman continuing in the former seat of the late great Senator Wellstone makes me sick, I hope Franken wins.

as far as the majority seats in congress, believe me when i tell you that the worst thing for this country is having a fillibuster-proof congress, no matter which party it is. SAY GOODBYE TO CHECKS AND BALANCES! those that want this, you will be sorry

You already elected a fool to the White House, and now you want to elect a jester to the Senate rather than a man of senate experience???

Coleman has the power to end this recount here and now. All he has to do is concede.

Yes, Franken is an author. In fact Harvard hired him to work with undergrads. He wrote a book that they fact checked for him..He's more intelligent and knows more about politics than most of those' gopeers' in congress…
I think that a person should have a good grasp of the job he's trying for…I think Minnesota would benefit greatly from a man as knowledgeable as Al Franken!

I think JJ in NY forgets that nearly half the voters have voted for Franken; does he really think that almost 50% of the Minnesota voters are jokes? If he does, he better take a very close look at himself. He owes all the voters in Minnesota an apology. Just because a person is a wrestler or a comedian does not make him or her stupid or disenfranchise their right to be in politics. When one looks at the likes of Bush and Spitzer and Stevens, it is clear that stupidity can be found in any profession. It's the person who is stupid not the position. All that being said I hope Franken wins and I hope the Georgia run-off vote goes to the Democrats. I am confident that with a filabuster proof Senate, President Obama and the Democrats will bring a much needed change to America. And a change doesn't have to mean you can't have "old school" politicians as part of the mix. There is ordered change and there is chaotic change. Mr. Obama will bring ordered change to America.

to all you anti Franken folks, the Republicans lost, get over it.

Concede now Franken! All this counting of votes is just a waste of taxpayer money and precious TV time, right? In fact, I'd like to go even further: why bother to vote at all. If Democrats would just have the patriotism and good sense to simply concede to their GOP opponents before the vote took place, then we could save the public millions, and save the country from the agony of DEMOCRACY! Really, I sometimes wonder whether Republicans ever learned anything in High School civics…the rudiments of a democratic political system seem beyond them. And their irritation with the messy business of a democracy is astounding. Democracy isn't perfect, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, but it's greatly preferable to all other forms of government.

Jaye, how do you smell a Franken victory when he is behind? Just curious… And as far as I can see, Coleman has won this thing fair and square. I don't think you people realize it, but a supermajority would be disastrous. A two-party system is one the many things that makes this country so great.

Only 2 more to 60 super-majority…the GOP is barely hanging on for life.
No shiesty Florida politicians this time to interfere with the recount process.

I hope Al Franken wins. There are more than enough Republicans in the House and Senate, and we need to clean both houses of these peopls so that President Obama can get something done. The Republicans don't want a filibuster proof majority so that they can cause as much trouble with their interminable foot-dragging. The new president will need people who are ready to go to work, not people who are dragging down the process.

I understand that the Republicans are already scoffing at President Obama pick of personnel as not 'enough change'. If he surrounded himself with inexperienced newcomers, the Repubs would be whining about that. PLEASE JUST GO SOMEWHERE AND SIT DOWN!

Hi guys,
Don't even try to go to Florida recount in 2000. The Republicans stole that election and every one knows this obvious truth.
Katherine Harris, Jeb Bush and every one from GOP twisted the law to their party's favor.
Franken is a very capable and smart man for U.S. Senate. He is a Harvard graduate, excellent radio host, great comedian, and knows all the issues faced by the country pretty well.
It is a shame that he is trailing.
Lot of bloggers here put him down since he is a comedian. If you see his shows or listen to him, he has a huge talent in creativity and spontaneity. It is not a talent many people have.
I listened him speak in senate debates and on radio before election. He has very clear understanding and depth of issues facing the country from Iraq war to economy.
He did not just nod and cheerlead to all the bad decisions taken by Mr.Bush like Mr.Coleman.
He would be a great senator and the US senate would be much better with smart views, ideas and talent.

People AND machines make mistakes, hence the mandated recount when an election outcome is less than a certain margin of error. The object is to get the results right. The rest is talking-heads, pundits, and partisans trying to justify their jobs and pay checks. Relax people! Recounts are nothing new… even Miss America and Miss Universe have had recounts. Whoever wins, they are but 1 of 100, as opposed to 1 president or the other.

I really wanted to have Barkley win because I heartily dislike Franken and Coleman. Now I want Franken to win purely because I want a Filibuster proof Senate for the Dems.

And just how is a recount ugly? Are they wearing masks, making faces, swearing, cursing, fighting, or even digging in the dirt with the pigs?

To anthony brown: Why should Franken concede when the state requires a recount? That simply make no sense and I suspect you would feel differently if Coleman were the one 215 votes behind. The recount in Florida wasn't a Gore recount. Why do you fear democracy in action? The candidate with the most votes after the recount will be the legitimate victor.

Will it looks like this race is far from over, it will take until the president elect is sworn in before we know what is going to happen here in Minnesota. After over a year wroth of crap on the TV and newspaper people in Minnesota are still dealing with an election that has gone on way to long. AL or Norm who ever wins this recount due us all in Minnesota a favor move on with your lives so we can move on with ours.

EW…

I have not followed MN closely. What actions in particular of Franken's are shameful?

and what are the things he has said/done that you characterize him as "bitter".

really… that's a serious, no bull question.

Speaking of ugly…Al Franken really is…in every sense of the word!

I don't understand why it is so difficult to determine a winner. I don't know the process but it ought to be right the first time…and when they recount once, it should be the same number. If the number is different there had better be an investigation.

Well with representatives of both candidates monitoring every step of this there shouldn't be any claims of the election being "stolen."

If Franken causes Minnesotans to be the but of voting jokes like the people in Florida, I will never forgive him.
I can't believe so many people voted for Franken, who is so full of hate and partisanship. I doubt he fits into Obama's new politics ideal.

I personally agree that Al Franken running for office is a joke. The only thing worse then voting for Franken….. is voting for a republican.

[...] 19, 2008 · No Comments Minnesota is having to recount their ballots for a seat in the Senate.  Incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic [...]

Minnesota has too many people who vote for third parties. That's why they elected Jesse Ventura.. The major third party senate candidate got 15% of the vote and in two suburban house seats Independent candidates got around 10% of the vote which resulted in Republicans holding the sear. It they did things the way Georgia did we would be having three run off races. I sometimes wonder if that would be an easier solution or to use weighted balloting when there are more than two people in the race.

Knock off the Franken cheap shots, people. By law, the recount was automatic, and Franken had no obligation, morally, legally or ethically, to concede on election night. I'm a MN resident, and I want my tax dollars used for recounts when it's this close.

hopefully coleman will beat franken

hopefully coleman beats franken, because americans will go down deeper into suffering with a democrat controlled america

WHO CAN END THE FILIBUSTER – he said, "That would be me, Al Franken." – I can't wait.

Norm Coleman is a poor senator.

The fact that a nut like Frankin is this close shows you that a turncoat like Colemand does not serve Minnesotans well. Minnesota has never been a Bush state yet Norm has never distanced himself for W. but cuddled up to him shamlessly. If the Dems had nominated someone less obnoxious it would have been another win for them.

Yes, Al Franken was a comedian, yes, he makes political jokes, yes, he is serious about being a senator. People knocking Franken most likely voted for George W. Bush–think about it.

"We the unwilling, lead by the unqualified…."

I'd like to see Franken win. I've always been impressed by his intelligence as well as his sense of humor (and I think the two things are related). However, if this recount goes against him, I think he should concede. There's no need to drag this out – just make sure the votes are counted as best as possible and go on with life. Change people voted for should mean change in the 'bare knuckles' politics too.

Franken should have conceded the election on Nov. 4 and not put the country through this. Once again Gore style politics at work.

Al Franken is obviously not in this to help the people. His actions throughout are just shameful. What a bitter, bitter man.

It already is ugly. Al Franken has that kind of affect on things.

Coleman is trying to stop the votes from being counted – because he is ahead. I don't care who wins, but let all of the votes be counted and counted correctly. Let not the courts stop that process. We all win if we know that the election was fair and the counting was complete.

Hey Norm , I hear Wal-Mart is hiring !!!!!!!

@ Mari, Obama junkie

I agree! It would be mind-numbing enough going through all those ballets let alone people watching over your shoulder. I don't envy those people!

The dems will just try to reinterpret the "intent" of the voters like they did in Florida in 2000. I'm sure they will make a spectal of themselves, again. But hey Obamanites, don't worry, he promotes change you can believe in.

What is it with the voters in MN??? First a wrestler now a comedy writer? What happend to the politics of HHH? Nelson-Pallmeyer should have been the Democratic choice. There would have been no need for a recount. The man was smart, caring and a great guy. He would have won easy!

UGLY IS AS UGLY DOES – Bare knuckle politics at its finest.

re: JJ in NY

JJ, interesting you thing more than half the voting peoples of Minnesota are jokes! So, who's the real people? Maybe the some 20% of people that think Bush's doing an acceptable job? Can half of all people be… a joke? That's a funny joke! HAHA!

Al Franken is a JOKE. I can't imagine anyone voting for him. How terrible must his opposition be that even one person could support a man with no experience beyond satire and poorly written political trash books. A left wing version of Ann Coulter could be a United States Senator. Kill me now.

I'd love to hear what Franken said in 2000 about that recount now that he is the subject of one.

"Ritchie, a Democrat, has come under criticism by Republicans the past week for what they say are moves to favor Franken."

Well, I'm so glad to hear that the [R]s have thier panties in a bunch over Ritchie. I have one response for them:
K-A-T-H-E-R-I-N H-A-R-R-I-S!!!!

And JJ in NY, I'm LMAO at YOU!

I feel sorry for those poor re-counters. I think I'd go postal having people hovering over me for hours a day. I hope they're getting paid well…

Who would'a thunk it. Stewart Smally might be a US Senator! Canada here I come! At least they can claim Alex Trebeck!

I smell a Franken victory!

ah bye bye Norm Coleman!

Franken is still just a comedy writer, and the people who support him are jokes .

Wow. Sounds like Colemen's people are getting desperate. I hope he gets booted out just like Steven's. Oh man now we dems are just two seats away. Come on Minnesota get us one seat closer.

Having the job of recounting the ballots sounds painfully dull. However, being an observer to this mess sounds even worse.