Comments on: Minnesota recount could get ugly

By: Brendan H., San Antonio, TX

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:34:32 +0000

Personal to Larry:

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

By: Unreadable

Unreadable — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:05:54 +0000

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.

By: VETS4Obama

VETS4Obama — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:43:31 +0000

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!

By: Ivan

Ivan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:43:30 +0000

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

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:36:32 +0000

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.

By: Larry

Larry — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:19:33 +0000

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

By: Gonzo in Houston

Gonzo in Houston — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:15:18 +0000

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

By: Simmy

Simmy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:06:35 +0000

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 !!!!!

By: Tiff of lithia springs

Tiff of lithia springs — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:00:55 +0000

Come on MN we need sixty.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:56:58 +0000

was franken born in the USA

By: Jodi K

Jodi K — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:55:40 +0000

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.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:54:34 +0000

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.

By: a sympathetic Canadian

a sympathetic Canadian — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:49:57 +0000

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!

By: Ash

Ash — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:38:12 +0000

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!

By: redneck

redneck — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:31:44 +0000

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

By: Juan Grain

Juan Grain — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:24:22 +0000

Franken-Stien will win!

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:06:28 +0000

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

By: Gay Fooie

Gay Fooie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:04:17 +0000

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

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:59:41 +0000

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.

By: Palin-Romney 2012

Palin-Romney 2012 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:54:06 +0000

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.

By: SD,Michigan

SD,Michigan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:53:53 +0000

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.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:43:32 +0000

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).

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:41:38 +0000

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...

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:36:50 +0000

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.

By: GM from MN

GM from MN — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:36:07 +0000

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.

By: Texan

Texan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:33:32 +0000

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?

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:33:04 +0000

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.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:26:33 +0000

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!

By: Annie, Atlanta

Annie, Atlanta — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:24:32 +0000

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.

By: Texas Teacher

Texas Teacher — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:24:24 +0000

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.....

By: That Other Jerry

That Other Jerry — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:16:07 +0000

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???

By: aynes54

aynes54 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:14:09 +0000

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....

By: petena

petena — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:11:50 +0000

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

By: Syed Shamsuddoha

Syed Shamsuddoha — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:11:31 +0000

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.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:10:22 +0000

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.

By: malclave

malclave — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:45:25 +0000

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

By: Peter (CA)

Peter (CA) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:39:39 +0000

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.

By: KLEE

KLEE — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:38:12 +0000

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.

By: Connecticut Connection

Connecticut Connection — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:36:37 +0000

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....

By: ran

ran — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:35:53 +0000

Coleman needs to leave.

By: michael f

michael f — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:26:30 +0000

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

By: nomad

nomad — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:19:40 +0000

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

By: Col Kilgore

Col Kilgore — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:10:57 +0000

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 ?

By: JRBS in MN

JRBS in MN — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:08:29 +0000

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.

By: Buck, NY

Buck, NY — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:07:48 +0000

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

By: Erika, KS

Erika, KS — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:06:12 +0000

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

By: hugh ~ california

hugh ~ california — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:04:51 +0000

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?

By: Peter (CA)

Peter (CA) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:57:27 +0000

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.

By: red33,cedar rapids, ia

red33,cedar rapids, ia — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:53:54 +0000

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'.

By: Lauri in Nordeast Minneapolis

Lauri in Nordeast Minneapolis — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:45:33 +0000

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.