CNN

It's sad that so many U.S. citizens who claim to believe in freedom want to silence those whose politics they disagree with when things don't go their way. Do you have concrete evidence that the Minnesota senate race was "stolen" or is it just sour grapes? No one griping about Franken's apparent election would want to be hauled into court based on the kind of "evidence" being offered here. Too many so-called conservatives don't have a problem with big government as long as liberal oxes are being gored. I'm proud to be both an American and a liberal, and criticizing the government, liberal or conservative, hardly makes one anti-American. It's laughable that after eight years under the worst American president since Warren Harding that someone could claim liberals are "a danger" to the country. It's been an allegedly conservative administration that let a major city drown, launched a foolish pre-emptive war, mismanaged another war, greatly expanded the size of the federal government, and spent the nation from surplus to deficit.

To JC: I hate to tell you this but the Republicans have been stealing elections for the past 12 years! Turnabout is fair play so get over yourself! And exactly what "facts" do you have to support your argument?

Now the Democrats just have to find a way to elect Zippy the Clown and they will have all the bases covered...

Why won't they count the 655 or so rejected ballots in republican areas that Coleman wants counted? They counted rejected ballots in democratic areas. Seems a little fishy to me.

Coleman is whining abotu 650 votes. Franken leads by 225. That means the 650 votes must break down as follows for Coleman to win:

Coleman – 438

Franken – 212

Not gonna happen. I say let Coleman have them counted so he can eat crow.

What? The courts have no business getting involved in deciding an election and interfering with American politics. President Bush would never allow this sort...oh wait a sec

Oh, boo-hoo-hoo!!! The GOP couldn't stel this election, and now they're crying.

As you RepubliKKKan morons told us Democrats in 2000, the election's now over – get over it!!!!!

Congratulations to Senator-Elect Al Franken!!!

At least he's not a died in the wool politician like Coleman. I don't think it ever hurts to bring new blood to our political system. In fact, I think there should be term limits on all politicians including senators and congressmen. Why would anyone want one of these guys to be in office for more than 6 or 8 years? That just gives them the opportunity to become more self-serving.

All you conservatives need to get a life and get over the fact that your party sucks and is in the toilet. You Lost. Period.
Your party is nearly finished and all your heroes on Wall street let us down for the last time.
Get over it and go heal yourself.

Man up!

I find it interesting how many of the "commentators" here who are calling Franken's election a steal have such a very short memory! They forget about the fact that we had a PRESIDENTIAL election stolen only 8 years ago, and this event ultimately led to the deep trouble we are all in today! The fact is that the SYSTEM is deeply primitive and corrupt for a so-called world power, and it definitely needs to be changed. Our voting and electoral system is a JOKE.

And predictably, the few left-over right-wing nuts are foaming at the mouth...
Get over it. And return to civility. Nobody takes you guys seriously with foaming mouths.

Because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and goshdarnit, people like him.

When's the next SNL audition? They all seem to springboard into greatness.

Most decent people would be disturbed by the vitriolic rhetoric expressed by the people who have submitted many of the postings below.

However, I, for one, am delighted. This kind of bitter, ideological rage is one of the core reasons that the American public has turned its back on the Republican Party.

This election wasn't stolen any more than the presidential election of 2000 (and, frankly, I doubt that you would hear complaints that George Bush stole the presidency from the vast majority of the contributors below). The fact is...when elections are close...one must trust in the due process of election laws, review procedures, and the courts. Its messy – but its democracy.

Bottom line....complain away, angry Republicans. The more you do, the more you will be seen as political dinosaurs.

All you sore losers just zip it. You make fun of Minnesotans for voting for Franken? First off, there is a 70% chance that our 7th graders are smarter than your high school grads, so don't even go there. Especially if you are from the south.

Next, if Franken is such a clown, then why did he beat that smarmy crook? Let me explain it to you in simple terms you can understand...

your prejudice, hate, and hypocrisy has not infected Minnesotans yet, thank God. You morons that go on about how Regan is a hero, and he was a bad B actor. Why does Frankens past as a comedian matter so much to you??? Oh yeah, that's right, cause he isn't afraid to make fun of Limbaugh and O'reilley, your personal gods no matter how wrong they are.

Why is Coleman crying like a baby, he can find work just like the other republican losers. Just put your foot in isle and prevent progress from taken place.

Again, the only thing different from 2000 (Florida) or 2004 (Ohio) is the party. Funny we didn't hear Republicans CRYING foul back then. Oh, wait, nothing funny about it. It's just sad. So sad. "Mommy, mommy, the big, bad vote counters wouldn't play with us this time!" Just go home and sulk for six years.

Well, not long ago,Minnesotans voted pro wrestler Jerry Ventura as Governor, now Al Franken as Senator. I guess next it will Homer Simpson for president.

Jack: Anybody who thinks their vote doesn't count??? If you don't like democracy at work-Show up and vote. If he does agood job; he gets re-elected- if not; out with another dumb wisecracker.
Jon in Calif.

There was a lot of justifiable fuss about ACORN and their questionable voter registration tactics throughout the 2008 campaign. Ultimately, it seems as though Obama's win was inevitable and post-election analysis appears to indicate that ACORN's illegal activities didn't truly have any major impact on the outcome of the Presidential race.

However, the same cannot be said for many of the down-ticket races, and it is now more apparent than ever that Franken clearly benefitted from the thousands of illegal registrants gathered by ACORN and their ilk in Minnesota. His razor-thin victory is demonstrative of this fact, and for the board of elections to pick and choose which ballots should be counted is criminal.

Drawing comparisons to 2000 or 2004 is irresponsible and moronic. One has nothing to do with the other. When elections are "stolen," as this one clearly was, our whole country suffers. This is a stain on our American political process and no right-minded Democrat should be cheering about this win. It does nothing to change the balance of power in the Senate. Coleman will be back once the people of Minnesota realize what a mistake they made. I can't even imagine Al Franken attempting to deal with constituents and REAL problems. How can a guy who spent his "literary" and broadcast career (Air American) tearing apart people of one particular political philosophy build consensus in Washington?

All the Dem's need now is only 1 Republican "traitor". The Joe Lieberman of the GOP is out there waiting to see the light.

Until they lose elections, then they employ them to overturn the will of the people.

Republicans should be beaming over this. As the Dems push themselves further and further to the left they will no doubt lose many moderate votes. This hyper-liberialism will give way once again to moderate conservatism and the Republicans. This will lead once again to hyper-conservatism and then the moderates will make another change. This whole process will take a while but it's nice to see the Dems moving forward before Obama even takes office. The only question is it going to take 4, 8 or 12 years.

Sorry Minnesota, but you get what you deserve.
I wonder if any of you who voted for him ever listened to this guy while he was on Air America ? Oh yeah I forgot, hardly any stations carried it, ratings were terrible, and they went bankrupt. Then Franken ran from the sinking ship. He must have really cared about that gig huh ?

LOL at the moron who says Franken is anti-American with one breath and then says voters should be stripped of their rights with the next.

This is *exactly* why the "conservatives" have lost their footing in this country.

Matt you can have your civil war you crave so much just rename yourself to unAmerican slime or domestic terrorist cause that what you sound like to me, in eight years I never heard anyone I know joke about a war were Americans kill Americans because there guy didn't win. as for me I wish all newly elected senators even Al Franken good luck you'll need it with people like Matt praying for this country's demise.

I have one for Ambrose Bierce: stolen election (n) – an election in which the other side is victorious

This election in MN was not decided by the voters but by lawyers. Why count, recount and invalidate every vote already cast when you can have a runoff and allow the 15% that voted for the 3rd party to have a second chance to get it right.

Right now, whoever wins the seat steals the election, and that is going to haunt him until 2014. The Minnesota election system should have the runoff as a contengency for future elections.

Most of you fool's believe anything your so called GOP leaders tell you, your no better then members of a gang unable to think for yourself' s thank god for independents. you see we don't blindly follow one party or the other, however in this election Republicans lost the independents because your party is anything but inclusive and that formula goes for Minnesota too, you see independents make up a huge voting block out there and Republicans are not connecting, this one was close they had a chance and that's why it hurts so bad but screaming and crying only make there fall from grace worse.

So Matt you can have your civil war you crave so much just rename yourself to unAmerican slime or domestic terrorist cause that what you sound like to me, in eight years I never heard anyone I know joke about a war were Americans kill Americans because there guy didn't win. as for me I wish all newly elected senators even Al Franken good luck you'll need it with people like Matt praying for this country's demise.

At this point Jesse Ventura probably really won. Congrats Minnesota, you have not replaced Illinois, Washington, and Floriday as the most screwed up states in regards to elections. No matter who is declared the winner the other will cry foul at this point, and the scary thing is that both sides probably have very valid arguements of foul play.

I remember watching Al Franken on SNL. He was stupid then and stupidity is not a disease you can get rid of. Congratulations to just barely over half of Minnesotans for electing an idiot to the Senate,

Is this ever cathartic...hearing the right wing whine about disenfranchised voters and a questionable secretary of state. LOL!

Congratulations Senator Franken. You won the most Minnesota votes. Despite bitter Republican'ts whining, you will be a wonderful representative from this great state.

People, serious, give the guy a chance. Like Slick did us any favors that didn't directly benefit himself.

This is simply more proof that recounts do more damage to the legitimacy of a democratic vote than any good they might do. No matter who comes out the winner, each side is bitter for years after. We never heard the end of complaints about Florida in 2000. The Washington Governor's race of 2004 was no better, and precipitated another sad contest where an unpopular governor got to run against the same set of ideas that couldn't win last time, only the year, 2008, being different. Now we have the Minnesota Senate race of 2008 to add to the travesty. We change the laws, we change the technology, but the same problems keep happening. Optical scanners were supposed to remove the ambiguity from voting that plagued punch cards, they did not. Single voting standard laws were supposed to avert the allegations of double standards in vote counting, they did not. There's one simple course of action that would eliminate this. The vote total on election night is the certified total, no re-examining unless proof of fraud is presented. That would eliminate these ridiculous recount fights and restore some faith in the winners of close elections.

Greetings, all. I'm a joke, so I hear.

Anybody who has proof that the Minnesota recount is invalid has neglected his duty by failing to bring that proof forward before now.

Absent any such proof, all derogatory comments that remain are nothing but WHINING.

Franken won the election. It's just possible he'll prove himself a good Senator. He has earned the chance to try.

'nuff said.

Oh Boo hoo. Quite your whining. You children lost. L-O-S-T. The people voted...you might remember the people. They normally decide elections before crony appointed courts started stealing them.

American is back in the hands of the people.

Keep voting. And when your guy loses buck it up and vote the next time around. But enough whining from the big babies

Most of you fool's believe anything your so called GOP leaders tell you, your no better then members of a gang unable to think for yourself' s thank god for independents. you see we don't blindly follow one party or the other, however in this election Republicans lost the independents because your party is anything but inclusive and that formula goes for Minnesota too you see independents make up a huge voting block out there and Republicans are not connecting, this one was close they had a chance and that's why it hurts so bad but screaming and crying only make there fall from grace worse.

So Matt you can have your civil war you crave so much just rename yourself to unAmerican slime or domestic terrorist cause that what you sound like to me, in eight years I never heard anyone I know joke about a war were Americans kill Americans because there guy didn't win. as for me I wish all newly elected senators even Al Franken good luck you'll need it with people like Matt praying for this country's demise.

Dave,

Is he unamerican simply because he doesn't believe in America the same way you do? And do we need to strip voters of Al Franken of their right to vote simply because you do not agree with it?

Give me a break....

Alot of people claim that someone is "Unamerican" simply because they don't agree with everything our country does. If you have kids, do you agree with every mistake they make or do you teach them a lesson so that they will be better for it? I hope the latter would be your answer to that question and I hope you love them as well.

These people who detest feign hysteria about Al Franken have no idea what they are talking about. These are the same goofs who hang on every word that Limbaugh says – and believe it. So of course they are going to think Al is "unAmerican." What a bunch of crap and nonsense.

¡Viva la Democracy!
This is going to be fun.

Most of you fool's believe anything your so called GOP leaders tell you, your no better then members of a gang unable to think for yourself' s thank god for independents. you see we don't blindly follow one party or the other, however in this election Republicans lost the independents because your party is anything but inclusive and that formula goes for Minnesota too you see independents make up a huge voting block out there and Republicans are not connecting, this one was close they had a chance and that's why it hurts so bad but screaming and crying only make there fall from grace worse.

So Matt you can have your civil war you crave so much just rename yourself to unAmerican slime or domestic terrorist cause that what you sound like to me, in eight years I never heard anyone I know joke about a war were Americans kill Americans because there guy didn't win. as for me I wish all newly elected senators good luck you'll need with people like Matt praying for this country's demise.

Was Senator Coleman fighting to have every vote counted in 2000? I somehow doubt it.

Funny how the republicans stand up now and cry foul. But they had no problem in 2000 when Bush stole the election. And yes it was stolen! So I say yes this election in Minn was probably stolen too, but oh well!!!!! Turnabout is fair play!

First off, Coleman has done jack for Minnesota. Second off, he's being investigated for corruption. Third, quit acting ridiculous, calling this the end of democracy...it was a close race, life isn't fair...and for the record, we don't need "civil war".

Excellent news!

From the state that brought you Governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

w00 h00!

This is the BEST news I've heard in months.

Obama, Franken, Leahy, Kucinich, Conyers, Sanders, Boxer, Durbin.....we are compiling quite the "dream team" in the Washington beltway!

Franken RULES.

I look forward to him irritating the crap out of the GOP. >:)

Good for the goose is good for the gander. Whose whining now GOP? How shocking to see GOPers acting hypocritical by complaining about someone stealing an election...who woulda thought they had hypocrisy in their souls? I'm flabberghasted.

The reality is, this was far different than the crap Bush pulled. Citing facts won't change the GOPers minds tho. Facts don't matter to these people...only what they've decided to believe and the facts be d-ed.

I really hope Obama begins an age of post – partisanship.......... Dems, and the Good Old Party, really need to come to consensus, and not versus on so many issues facing the U.S. Reading some of these blogs really show me that at least we the people, the laymen in the country, need to force every politician to prove that they are worthy of hire. As Hillary vs. Obama, and Obama vs. McCain did....... We want the best, and nothing more.......... I'm a republican true to form(I became a Republican b/c they always won, and many were/are wealthy, I also respect the conservative movement, but that wasn't what drew me) that's what I wanted in my life. However since the Clinton Administration(who I didn't vote for but wish I did) and the Bush administration, I've noticed that no, one party has the answer.... we've got to come together....... I pray that Obama begins to blur the lines of red/blue. Let's put into action what works, and lay all other things that so easily beset our nation, to the side of the road.

And thus even more proof that this session of Congress will continue the streak of Worst Congress Ever! Looks like at least another 2 years of single digit approval ratings.

Although on the bright side, with the Franken win, there is hope for the future. It doesn't matter; got an IQ of 2 (2 more than Franken), been or are a coke-head, failed at every other job you've held? No problem! Just yell like an idiot at conservatives and you're guaranteed a spot in Congress (at least from Minnesota).

So now the people of Minnesota will have two years to reflect upon the mistake they made, while they (and unfortunately us as well) are suffering for it.

The Democrat Party – We Can Steal Anything!

oh my! GOP get over it! Seems like Franken won fair and square. And democrats are NOT anti American and anti christ. I'm a democrat who loves God, and my country. I have relatives and community members on the battlefield, right now. Get over it! 2009 is the year of change and new beginnigs.

Okay, yet another comment for the "conservative" commentors.
Something that stuck out like a sore thumb that must be addressed.
Al Franken is not "anti-American." This is a term you right wingnuts have come up with for anyone who criticizes America when they think America is wrong. We are not perfect and to not acknowleding our short comings and mistakes would be a fatal error.
The conservative thinking is "America! right or wrong"
The liberal thinking is America! let's keep her right and correct her when she is wrong!

This above all to thine own self be true.

Oh! And, There are no areas of the country that is more American than other parts of the country.

Say what you will about the Bush administration. It really has no bearing on this article.

What is interesting is that in both 2000 and in this election, the Democrats were VERY concerned and crying over whether every vote got counted. In both, once the Democrat took the lead, the demos' lawyers called everything to a halt (in spite of ongoing questions of whether all votes were properly counted) and a declaration of the demo as the winner.

In Florida, the demos were pushing for democrat votes to be "found" or "deciphered" while looking through the crystal ball of "voter intent." The same thing happened here. Franken pushed for votes to be counted but when the same standard would have given Coleman votes, Franken did not want them to apply.

Whatever happened to putting your cards on the table, counting the votes, and letting the results stand. As it is, the demos push in any race they lost until they can drum up enough votes to put them over the top.

These actions, along with most of the Democrat Party, are pathetic.

Maybe the partisan Supreme Court will appoint Coleman despite the will of the people, like they did in Florida.

I am happy that MN got rid of corrupted coleman, repubs, stealing election is your but this time your tactics didnt work, rememeber you can cheat once but not all the time.

Go Al!!

Yahoo!!!!
Through hard work, Al gets another, "Franken Decade".

REPUBLICANS ARE LOSERS

"sadly, Another election stolen by a corrupt political system"

Like....in 2000/2004?

Keep crying and spewing hate, republicans.

Coleman needs to let it GO, and Forget it, and go ON !!
He lost the re-count, period...
Gore lost in 2004, (unfortunately) because the voters didn't bother to vote, and didn't care enough to vote, so that's why Gore lost. It won't happen again...

Larry C.
Houston, Texas

Hurrah!
Being from Minnesota, it's great to finally have someone who cares about the political process. To those that are arguing that this was stolen, in no way do I feel that that is the case. In my opinion, we have representative elections, and I feel like our system is pretty strong.
Franken asked for votes to be counted when they may or may not be in his favor. He took a chance that worked out. He simply wanted the ballots counted. Imagine that, a place where votes actually matter.
I, for one, am glad that my vote was a part of his election.
There were 12,000+ Absentee ballots rejected, and Coleman and his cronies have gone through them to find 650 that were in his favor to be accepted. I say, count them all! These absentee ballots were rejected properly, but if Norm wants them counted, then we should count ALL of them (including the other 550 or so that he didn't hand select). Don't you think?

Way to go Al! This marks the end of Coleman's reign of corruption. Why is it that some feel that if you count the votes, the election is stolen?

Nothing as pleasant to my ears than right wing bitterness! Ahhhh...

"sadly, Another election stolen by a corrupt political system"

Like....in 2000/2004?

To all of the GOP complainers and whiners, here's a suggestion.

How about we just call it even?

You had 8 years of a President in 2000 on disputed votes and you told us to "Get over it." We didn't think that was fair either. It's time to take a bit of your own medicine and move on.

A sad sad day for democracy !
When are Republican lawyers gonna learn ?
Being honest doesn't pay in politics.

Okay, yet another comment for the "conservative" commentors.
Something that stuck out like a sore thumb that must be addressed.
Al Franken is not "anti-American." This is a term you right wingnuts have come up with for anyone who criticizes America when they think America is wrong. We are not perfect and to not acknowleding our short comings and mistakes would be a fatal error.
The conservative thinking is "America! right or wrong"
The liberal thinking is America! let's keep her right and correct her when she is wrong!

This above all to thine own self be true.

Oh! And, There are no areas of the country that is more American than other parts of the country.

It was said from the beginning that Franken and the Democrats were snakes who, with the help of ACORN would keep the counting going until the numbers came up in Franken's favor, then demand the counting stop and claim victory.

It was also said that Coleman and the Republicans were too weak and sissified to put up a fight and prevent the election from being stolen.

Minnesota is a joke and if Franken is seated, his "legitimacy" will certainly get more laughs than his so called comedy ever did!

The United States is now officially a Third-World Country!

THIS IS AWESOME!

Coleman is a hypocrite. When he had a slight lead he chastised Franken for wasting taxpayer money on a recount. It was not Franken,s call to make. State law ditates that all close elections are subject to recount. Now that he is behind Coleman says he will sue. I sure like his face. Both of them.

Hurrah!
Being from Minnesota, it's great to finally have someone who cares about the political process. To those that are arguing that this was stolen, in no way do I feel that that is the case. In my opinion, we have representative elections, and I feel like our system is pretty strong.
Franken asked for votes to be counted when they may or may not be in his favor. He took a chance that worked out. He simply wanted the ballots counted. Imagine that, a place where votes actually matter.
I, for one, am glad that my vote was a part of his election.
There were 12,000+ Absentee ballots rejected, and Coleman and his cronies have gone through them to find 650 that were in his favor to be accepted. I say, count them all! These absentee ballots were rejected properly, but if Norm wants them counted, then we should count ALL of them (including the other 550 or so that he didn't hand select). Don't you think?

Well, I'm not surprised. Everyone knows the Dems are the dirtiest, filthiest, scummiest, low-down, cheating, ballot box stuffing, election stealing people on Earth. The recount wasa great way for the Dems to quietly have 'missing' ballots 'found' so 'every vote could be counted'. PLEASE!!! And if you saw the ballots that were considered questionable, and that went to Franken instead of Coleman, it's most disturbing (ballots that were obviously for Coleman were often declared for Franken, unless of course you saw things through the eyes of a Democratic election official...). The only positive thing to come out of this is that Franken is too stupid to come-up with any legislation, or debate the issues. He will be completely harmless, though he will help give the Dems one more vote. The citizens of Minnesota will get to see Franken for the idiot that he truly is, and will never re-elect him to the Senate. Honestly, I predict the citizens of Minnesota who really voted for Franken (not those whose votes were erroneously changed to be for Franken), will rue the day that they elected this clown to Congress. Honestly, I've never seen a worse pick for Senate in my life! Have you heard this idiot? His radio show was canceled for a reason: nobody wanted to hear his tripe. He's also a super-sensitive wimp with a bad temper. I can't wait to hear what he says when he's pressed to debate issues on the Senate floor. He'll then get to show his true comedic 'genius', the only problem being, he will be attempting debate the issues in a serious manner!

I am looking forward to when Carrot Top steals the Minnesota Governors race from Will Farell. But seriously folks.... Any comparrison to Florida and Ohio are rediculous. For one, those results were upheld not overturned. Secondly all the major liberal news outlets investigated Florida and Ohio ad naseum and found nothing, despite the enduring liberal urban legend of the "Stolen Election". I guarantee the New York Times will not be investigating this election. I was always taught that a statistical impossibility is proof of cheating. Frankens vote pick ups are loaded with statistiacal abberations

Say what you will about the Bush administration. It really has no bearing on this article.

What is interesting is that in both 2000 and in this election, the Democrats were VERY concerned and crying over whether every vote got counted. In both, once the Democrat took the lead, the demos' lawyers called everything to a halt (in spite of ongoing questions of whether all votes were properly counted) and a declaration of the demo as the winner.

In Florida, the demos were pushing for democrat votes to be "found" or "deciphered" while looking through the crystal ball of "voter intent." The same thing happened here. Franken pushed for votes to be counted but when the same standard would have given Coleman votes, Franken did not want them to apply.

Whatever happened to putting your cards on the table, counting the votes, and letting the results stand. As it is, the demos push in any race they lost until they can drum up enough votes to put them over the top.

These actions, along with most of the Democrat Party, are pathetic.

The state of Minnesota has taken the label " the land of fruits and nuts" away from California.

Coleman is a hypocrite. When he had a slight lead he chastised Franken for wasting taxpayer money on a recount. It was not Franken,s call to make. State law ditates that all close elections are subject to recount. Now that he is behind Coleman says he will sue. I sure like his face. Both of them.

Nothing as pleasant to my ears than right wing bitterness! Ahhhh...

I am happy that MN got rid of corrupted coleman, repubs, stealing election is your but this time your tactics didnt work, rememeber you can cheat once but not all the time.

Go Al!!

Yahoo!!!!
Through hard work, Al gets another, "Franken Decade".

I am happy that MN got rid of corrupted coleman, repubs stealing election is your but this time your tactics didnt work, rememeber you can cheat once but not all the time.

Go Al!!

Hurrah!
Being from Minnesota, it's great to finally have someone who cares about the political process. To those that are arguing that this was stolen, in no way do I feel that that is the case. In my opinion, we have representative elections, and I feel like our system is pretty strong.
Franken asked for votes to be counted when they may or may not be in his favor. He took a chance that worked out. He simply wanted the ballots counted. Imagine that, a place where votes actually matter.
I, for one, am glad that my vote was a part of his election.
There were 12,000+ Absentee ballots rejected, and Coleman and his cronies have gone through them to find 650 that were in his favor to be accepted. I say, count them all! These absentee ballots were rejected properly, but if Norm wants them counted, then we should count ALL of them (including the other 550 or so that he didn't hand select). Don't you think?

Way to go Al! This marks the end of Coleman's reign of corruption. Why is it that some feel that if you count the votes, the election is stolen?

Nothing as pleasant to my ears than right wing bitterness! Ahhhh...

THIS IS AWESOME!

Hurrah!
Being from Minnesota, it's great to finally have someone who cares about the political process. To those that are arguing that this was stolen, in no way do I feel that that is the case. In my opinion, we have representative elections, and I feel like our system is pretty strong.
Franken asked for votes to be counted when they may or may not be in his favor. He took a chance that worked out. He simply wanted the ballots counted. Imagine that, a place where votes actually matter.
I, for one, am glad that my vote was a part of his election.
There were 12,000+ Absentee ballots rejected, and Coleman and his cronies have gone through them to find 650 that were in his favor to be accepted. I say, count them all! These absentee ballots were rejected properly, but if Norm wants them counted, then we should count ALL of them (including the other 550 or so that he didn't hand select). Don't you think?

Ok hippies... now that Frankin has recounted and recounted his way to a senate seat, you have now officially lost the right to piss and moan about Florida 2000. Can we call this one even?

NOW can we storm the castle???

Well, I'm not surprised. Everyone knows the Dems are the dirtiest, filthiest, scummiest, low-down, cheating, ballot box stuffing, election stealing people on Earth. The recount wasa great way for the Dems to quietly have 'missing' ballots 'found' so 'every vote could be counted'. PLEASE!!! And if you saw the ballots that were considered questionable, and that went to Franken instead of Coleman, it's most disturbing (ballots that were obviously for Coleman were often declared for Franken, unless of course you saw things through the eyes of a Democratic election official...). The only positive thing to come out of this is that Franken is too stupid to come-up with any legislation, or debate the issues. He will be completely harmless, though he will help give the Dems one more vote. The citizens of Minnesota will get to see Franken for the idiot that he truly is, and will never re-elect him to the Senate. Honestly, I predict the citizens of Minnesota who really voted for Franken (not those whose votes were erroneously changed to be for Franken), will rue the day that they elected this clown to Congress. Honestly, I've never seen a worse pick for Senate in my life! Have you heard this idiot? His radio show was canceled for a reason: nobody wanted to hear his tripe. He's also a super-sensitive wimp with a bad temper. I can't wait to hear what he says when he's pressed to debate issues on the Senate floor. He'll then get to show his true comedic 'genius', the only problem being, he will be attempting debate the issues in a serious manner!

Say what you will about the Bush administration. It really has no bearing on this article.

What is interesting is that in both 2000 and in this election, the Democrats were VERY concerned and crying over whether every vote got counted. In both, once the Democrat took the lead, the demos' lawyers called everything to a halt (in spite of ongoing questions of whether all votes were properly counted) and a declaration of the demo as the winner.

In Florida, the demos were pushing for democrat votes to be "found" or "deciphered" while looking through the crystal ball of "voter intent." The same thing happened here. Franken pushed for votes to be counted but when the same standard would have given Coleman votes, Franken did not want them to apply.

Whatever happened to putting your cards on the table, counting the votes, and letting the results stand. As it is, the demos push in any race they lost until they can drum up enough votes to put them over the top.

These actions, along with most of the Democrat Party, are pathetic.

The state of Minnesota has taken the label " the land of fruits and nuts" away from California.

Way to go Al! This marks the end of Coleman's reign of corruption. Why is it that some feel that if you count the votes, the election is stolen?

Nothing as pleasant to my ears than right wing bitterness! Ahhhh...

All you folks calling one side a scumbag or that they stole the election are obviously condeming the very system you claim to hold so dearly. It was an election..., very close indeed. The votes were recounted only once..., and not at the request of either party. It was done so because Minnesota law requires it. You gotta stop bagging on the one team because your team didn't win. As an unbiased observer..., I must say I know little children who act more adult than you are acting.

Seriously guys how can you say that Al Franken stole this election. Throughout the entire recount process Norm Coleman has been trying to block votes from being counted and now that he is behind he calls shenanigans. Also I do remember a comment from the former Senator saying that if he were in Al Franken's situation (on November 4th when Al was behind by 215 votes) that he would stand aside... way to live up to your word. Although I do have to say, Al Franken, only 42% of us voted for you, remember that and you may get re-elected. I would also like to point out that people from Minnesota all realize that this election was done right and that it was very transparent, So we don't always vote for career politicians, boo hoo. We vote for who we think can best do the job, and I would vote for Jesse Ventura again because while he stuck his foot in his mouth a lot, he got a lot done here in Minnesota.

I guess Al Franken is good enough, smart enough, and people do like him.

A Note to scratchchance.... Feel sorry for America, not just Minn. A Liberal Anti-American is going to be a Senator. Also – Matt is correct this is the End of America as we "thought" it was to be.

Having more ballots than actual voters is a glaring example of inconsistancies in the canvasing boards proceedures and decisions. Coleman has a good argument that duplicate ballots were not originally marked and thus counted twice in the recount.

We called it though...count, count and recount until Franken has the lead, then slam the door shut.

love how the radical right calls anyone who disagrees with them "anti-american" or not "real" american and of course the all the childish really nasty stuff, you show your lack of education and your wallowing in your lesser self, al's a smart guy, he has better intentions than coleman (who is under FBI investigation) and his head and heart are in the right place, he didn't steal anything, it was an AUTOMATIC mandated recount, handled in a professional matter, coleman is the one running to the courts to dispute what he ALREADY agreed to not al, you right wing radicals just HATE him (and THAT says much more about YOU) because he called you false god rush out for what he is, a fat loud lieing drug addict. be thankful that obama isn't vindictive, be thankful these people are going to work for the betterment of america and not just to enrich there own like your party DID

What's funny is there a republican who thought they could win an election. Go figure.

How many vicous, sour, spoild-sport, hate-filled, sore-loser comments and false accusations will appear before CNN closes these comments?

Congrats to Al & to Minnesota.

Hopefully we can get some election reform going so that a count such as this will never drag on and on again. IRV & vote by mail should be a right for everybody!!

Congratulations goes out to Florida.......you are no longer the laughing stock of the American election system....Minnesota has taken over as the most idiotic group of voters in the nation.

WOOHOO!

Dave January 5th, 2009 4:20 pm ET
This is truly an all-time low for American politics. Franken is unapologetically anti-american and is not fit to be an American lawmaker. The people of Minnesota who voted for Franken should have all further voting rights taken away; they truly are oblivious to the danger that smug, smart alecky liberals such as Franken pose to this country.
--
That's the spirit, Dave. Make sure we take away rights from people whose choices differ from yours. Typical Republican mindset!

Proof of how Franken is "unAmerican" please. And no, disagreeing with your opinions does not make one "unAmerican".

I want proof, not talk.

Why is it that when the Republicans win, and the Dems object because of voter fraud, they tell us to grow up and get over it? Hmmmmmmmmm....... 2000? 2004?

All you regressives. Grow up and get over it.

Dave "January 5th, 2009 4:20 pm ET said:

This is truly an all-time low for American politics. Franken is unapologetically anti-american and is not fit to be an American lawmaker. The people of Minnesota who voted for Franken should have all further voting rights taken away; they truly are oblivious to the danger that smug, smart alecky liberals such as Franken pose to this country.
--------------------------------
Dude, did you actually type smart alecky? LOL How old are you like 100?

That sound is the sound of George Washington spinning over in his grave!

What a Joke. How can you go from a 215-vote lead to going behind 225 votes? Just another Democratic Stealing the Election.

They should just call another election, i am sure they spent enough money doing this spectical they call a "re-count" with Democrats leading it. you know they have an agenda.

as for Franken, what a joke he is. go back to SNL or sit under a rock.

Is that it? Have they finished? Did they count correctly and can we finally put this to rest?

Congrats to Mr. Franken!! I feel that this was a no brainer from the beginning. The Democratic Party had a huge yr. Franken has some celebrity......... Let's see, Democrats have a big yr. + Celebrity(noteriety)= Election. Please, please, please represent for your constituents.

Way to go Al. Coleman really thought he was Mr big shot when he was in the Senate. Thank you Minnesota ( my home state ) for getting rid of Mr big shot.
Yelm Washington

Sore Losermen?

Congrats Al, you'll make a fine Senator!

The right-wing lunatic fringe is back!

But, as John Prine once said, "Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore".

So, put away your fake patriotism and deal with another loss. Franken is the winner!

I wonder how much taxpayer money Coleman will spend trying to hold what isn't his anymore? All the old strongholds of the GOP are comming down and not a moment to soon

If you really believe Franken won this fair and square, you are so blind in your partisanship.

This was an outright theft. The counting method was used to favor Franken, and any method that did not favor him was tossed.

How do you go from being up hundreds of votes, then in a recount, you're down several hundred? Statistically, it's like the chance of being struck by lightning.

People, you gave the entire hen house to the DEMS, and this is what you should expect going forward.

In this case, there could only be losers, no matter who won. Minnesota loses and the US losers because both candidates suck.

Minnesota is one of the cleanest states for elections in the country. A recount relies on hand counts, rather than machine counts. So, ballots that were not counted by a machine might be counted in a hand count. The intent of the voter is most important in a recount, even though the voter's intent may not have been counted by a machine due to ambiguity. Get over it, GOP, you lost this one. Let's cut to the chase and swear Al Franken into office. Norm Coleman can get an early start on his lobbying career.

This is a sad event for democracy. This is a perfect example of a stolen election. This shows a 500 vote swing from the initial results – it's scary to see it swing that much. Granted, both candidates were trying to count the votes for them and not the votes for their opponent. But Franken had all the cards in his favor. Every single ruling from the Secretary of State, MN Supreme Court, and other parties were all in his favor. This is enough political corruption to make Blagojevich and Ted Stevens look like the Messiah.

JC<-The new selective memory candidate. No republican can ever talk about stealing anything not with all the crooks they put in jail just last year not to mention the biggest steal of the century when GW stole the 2000 election.

Oppps, I am wrong he didn't steal it he let the Supreme Court do his dirty work.

At least Al Gore was man enough not to fight against a stacked deck.
It amazes me now the shoe is supposedly on the other foot how now there is such an outcry.

What really is funny is that both parties agreed to settle this last week and let the recount go forward. BOTH PARTIES had to agree to this and now that the count doesn't go the way the republican wants it.

It's a crime against humanity.

Al Franken is an intelligent capable individual who will service the senate honorably. That is not an easy thing to do in government.

Well ... something similar happened in 2000, remember? Much as I hate to admit it, Bush probably really did win Florida, although probably by well under 500 votes.

So long as the legal process determines the best has been done with recount processes, the winner will be the winner. And shoudl be accepted as such. Period.

with out a coup, the bar was set and won't be any lower than the repubs from 2000, that was jaw droppingly low

so was the 8 years following that, what a mess

I'm from Minnesota and I am ecstatic!

congradulatiions minnesota your the laughing stock of the country ..ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Minnesota has officially joined the ranks of Florida and California as election LAUGHINGSTOCKS. If it mattered less I'd be having a good chuckle over this...

The joke here is on Coleman! I mean you must have not done that good a job if a SNL character beat you strait up. As far as JC's comments, c'mon man I have been watching this thing the whole time. No one got more of an advantage than the other. I run pretty center of the spectrum, I don't think Franken is going to be a "great" senator, but obviously the people of Minnesota think he will do as good if not better then Coleman. Sorry Neo-cons your time is up, if the GOP want to come out of this and still have a party, it's time to evolve out of politics of the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Not as if the DNC is a whole lot better, but at least they seem to changing things to bait the younger generation in.

Enough of the insane talk about this election being stolen. NO WAY! The recount was properly conducted, and all procedures were properly carried out. Not only that, but Coleman's appeals were rightfully rejected in the courts. This is quite different from what happened in Florida in 2000, so let's end baseless allegations and put away the sour grapes, Coleman. Had you been more attentive to the needs of Minnesotans rather than constantly trying to please Bush and Cheney for your own political gain, you would have probably won re-election. Take it like a man and leave, Coleman!

Looks like GA's run off system might be the way to go in the future.

WOW! Even Al Franken is beating the republicans?!!!....i'm sure my dog would have won against any sitting republican senator or congressman.

Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity would be scratching their heads trying to figure what good they've done to the GRAND OLD DIVISIVE PARTY!!!!

Looks like this is going to court.

Don – you mean stolen election like in 2000 when Bush stole Florida because his brother was Governor? That kind of stolen election?

I could care less who won. I just want to say that something is wrong in MN. Franken was down 700 some votes I Think. now he is up 200 some votes. Thats around 1000 votes, how dose that happen. was someone not doing the job they are payed to do. can some one not count

[insert conspiracy theory here]

Unlike the 2000 presidiential election, all of the votes were counted. It wasn't left the Supreme Court to decide the winner. Good luck as a U.S. Senator, Al.

What a joke our election process is. This is called election fraud. You cant count rejected votes for franken and not coleman. This if fraud!

When you have Dems and Reps doing the over all counting, it has to be a fair event unless the Repubs are trying to cheat themselves. JC you sound like one of those sore Repubs. We wish you and all of your hatred fall off the planet.

What a sham...the dems are pushing to seat Franken while they see an opening. They should let the process - appeals and ALL - continue to the bitter end. Only then can either man fairly be declared the winner.

Whats wrong with Franken, he can't be any worse than the team of clown's leaving the executive branch on January 20th.

One last comment, All of you fine people in Minnesota will get what you ask for. You will have yet another uneducated entertainer in power in your state. Just don't complain to the rest of the country when he makes a fool of himself and all of you. We won't be laughing with you, but at you.

This should end any concerns about Caroline Kennedy's qualifications for the New York Senate seat. Just goes to show that ANYBODY can be a US Senator.

Anyone shocked that this goof, Franken, won the recount doesn't understand liberal politics.

Eric Tedford
Chittenango, NY

I wish I could say well it's Minnesota's problem. I can't. So I'll just say, it's Minnesota's fault.

"I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!" Congratulations Al! I am certain the next six years will be entertaining.

Wow! What a sad day for the great state of MN.

Best man won? Franken is a moron and a pig, I weap for Minnesotans!

Democrats are now the comedian party. I guess Minn will be dumpster diving for their next Senator.

JC, you lost. Move on. Get a life. The Dems are no worse than the Reps and you do not want to compare 'new lows'. Your party is topping everything low and lame for some time now. Go to sleep, we call you in 8 years.

Crash and Burn you FREAK ( Al Franken) of Nature...

Norm Coleman has said the results should be finalized and if he were in Franken's shoes he would give it up. This is when he had a 215 vote lead before the recount. He talked about Gore giving up the fight in the 2000 Presidential Race. Everyone should give up the battle if you are a Democrat, but when you are a Republican, then Coleman wants to go further. What a do as I say not as I do type of politician.

Well, I guess it's official. Hate-filled hecklers and democratic leadership are one and the same.

Can anyone take Minnesota seriously now?

Franken, in many ways, is the embodiment of what's wrong with this country.

WAIT! I found another 348 ballots in the bumper of my car!!!

Love it! Go Franken!

Minnesota is a terrific state!
Home of the Vikings and birthplace of Bob Dylan!!

Thank you Georgia!

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa .... alrightttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt...........................

I guess the Dems can't complain about stealing elections now.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

They did not even Rhenquist, Scalia, Thomas and company to stop the counting so they would not be any question.

This is truly an all-time low for American politics. Franken is unapologetically anti-american and is not fit to be an American lawmaker. The people of Minnesota who voted for Franken should have all further voting rights taken away; they truly are oblivious to the danger that smug, smart alecky liberals such as Franken pose to this country.

But, of course, I have no idea what the heck I'm talking about.
Hey mom, is recess over yet? Can Joker 414 come over and play?

Because I am crooked enough, played the system well, and doggone it, the idiots in Minnesota like me!

Mr Coleman, there is other work for you to do and be effective, not a self-righteous, sly lobbyists, go in Peace

Get over it JC. You lost. The same things happened in Florida in '00, and in Ohio in '04, and your ilk certainly had no problems then. What changed, besides the fact that the declared winner is from the other team?

This is the biggest joke of his career.

Here is what I don't understand. The GOP is claiming that Franken "stole" this election and should have conceded on Election Night. Ummmmm......Franken didn't concede because Minnesota STATE LAW required a recount.

The recount happened to go in Franken's favor. Not a stolen election. Had all the ballots in Florida been counted, the same thing would have happened in 2000. Ballots are meant to be counted.

The circus is back in town.

JC – And Norm Coleman and George W Bush aren't guilty of the same thing?

Hello kettle, pot here. I just wanted to let you know you're black.

Glad to see Al win...

Ha! Franken won!

In your face Bill O'Reilly!

GOOD!

...because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, people like him.

What a joke. This country is in real trouble and Mn elects a comedy writer? There should be a way for the rest of the country to override stupidity by an entire state.

Welcome to the U.S. Senate, Al!

I think it will be so funny in the white house. I like franklin!!

Congratulations, Al! Minnesota's in MUCH better hands now

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!! This is turning out to be a beautiful Monday. Al, get your bum to Washington!

Way to go, Franken!
Now let's see if Coleman holds up to his word – he should concede.
He stated on election night that he would concede if he was in Franken's position, for the better of the state. So let's see him eat his words and do what he expected Franken to do.
But he probably won't, he has a lawsuit every other day. That's the republican way, sue and threaten to sue and file lawsuits to get what you want.

All votes need to be counted!!!!! Unless those votes are for a republican.

recount until the right man wins. what ever it takes to win!!!

stand by for the republican lawsuits!!

and now a word from the whining loser republicans in 5,4,3,2,1...

Nothing but GOOD!

Im so glad the recount is over and the best man won.

I guess the Dems can't complain about stealing elections now. They have taken it to a whole new low. Rather than blast this comment look at the facts of what votes got counted and what didn't and the total lack of common procedure for doing so. All the process used favored Franken when if applied fairly it would not have benefited him. Sorry MN, you have a very unfunny problem.

Now here is a fine example of the NEW Democratic Party. He may come in handy for a filibuster due to his stand up comedy success. Maybe they will fine some additional votes later, (like Hillary's Whitewater files).

make sure you exhaust the tax payers money on each step of the way to the point that you go from just us being tired of the sight of you to wishing you would move out of the country

The Clown from Minnesota and his organization have effectively stolen a senate seat. LBJ could have learned from him. How many precinct, when "recounted," voted in alphabetical order? Al Franken is a joke, Minnesota is a joke, and anyone who does not understand that this election was stolen is a joke.

The end of democracy as we know it. This is whithout a doubt the most fixed election ever. There was no standard other than cheat enough to have Franken pull ahead and then stop counting.

When democracy ceases to function and if you pay enough money you can subvert the will of the people to your whims. Then there is only one thing left for the comman man to do.

Civil War.

al franken is seriously strange. I feel sorry for the residents of Minn.

This is going to get interessting. In this case the SOS signed the papers, but the Gov. will probably not. In Ill. it's exactly the other way around. What are you to say or do if you are a Senate Democrat? Equality before the law should extend to the Senate, at least one should think so...

sadly, Another election stolen by a corrupt political system

Yahoo!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Al, you deserve it.
-all my best-
Bill O'Liely

of course they can stop now that Franken has the lead..... what a joke!!!

The system works!

GO AL!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

yay!

I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog gone it, I'm a U. S. Senator.

Happy Days, America

He sure wasn't funny on SNL. Maybe he'll get some laughs in the senate.

Thank goodness this thing is over. Looks like Nate Silver was correct again.

...and know Norm can contest the election. He'll be throwing good money after bad and costing the State of Minnesota 10s of thousands of dollars.

Norm that smell isn't roses. It's coming out of your....

Nicely stolen...

Hoorah! The system is broken and it has been proven yet again!

Hallelujah!

And look – the best man won!

He is and will be a great leader for Minnesota.......

YES! Democracy WINS over GOP-voter-fraud!

If you are a Minnesotan and you voted for this moron you need to have you head examined!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk about a joke of a recount...it doesn't get any worse than this one.

Dear Senator , Good for you . Good for us. I can't wait for the dems to take charge.

While these two very different candidates claim the spotlight in this hotly contested race, history may focus on how amazingly close this race was. It is the statistical equivalent of flinging a quarter across the room and having it land on edge.

about freakin time

That fool will still take this to court. Why not? Bush did it and "won." Look how that worked out for us.

(insert trumpet fan fair here)

Let the Sore Loser Lawsuit Olympics begin!

Go Al! Coleman needs to do the right thing and concede.

Congratulations to Al Franken!!

He's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it – people like him!

; )

I think that Franken will win NO MATTER WHAT! Coleman should just end this silly thing and stop usine the states human and monetary resources. If the roles were reversed he would EXPECT the same

Yay its finally over.

Congratulations, SENATOR Franken!!!

Its about time that this was done. Is Coleman ready to conceed and go home? I doubt it... I'm just glad that I don't live there. It has gone on far too long for my taste.

STOLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BY a idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like the Dems got payback for FL 2000!

Congrats!

Hope Coleman can rise to the occasion, congratulate the winner and move on. Hope Franken does his best to be a good Senator for Minnesota.

[Insert GOP whining here]

Seriously folks...it's over...another GOPer bit the dust and paid for their nonsense. Rather than whine and entrench thmeselves in bitterness, one might think they'd might want to think about what they've been doing so wrong and fix it. Of course, come 2012, I'm sure we'll hear all about the right to life, those pesky immigrants, the need for fear, why homosexuals aren't capable of having "family values" and a whole host of regurgitated nonsense that put them where they are today. They just don't get it and never will.

Now we'll see the Repubs' legal eagles (or dodos?) spring into action. Should be a good show.

that's because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggonit, people like him.

Congratulations, Senator Franken:)

Loved your part in Trading Places, by the way. "There are enough drunks on this train".

But, you are a smart guy that knows his stuff and have earned your spot in the senate.

Good.

THIS IS NOT OVER UNTIL THE LEGAL CHALLENGES ARE OVER..... THAT WILL BE SOME TIME.

WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW THERE CAN BE MORE VOTES FROM A POLLING PLACE THAN THE NUMBER OF VOTERS WHO WERE LOGGED IN TO VOTE???

SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED OVER AGAIN....... JUST A LITTLE FRAUD CAN CHANGE THIS ELECTION RESULT.

Norm Coleman needs to concede so we can start the healing process and not cost the state of Minnesota any more...to use his words.

Congrats Sen. Al Franken!!!!!!!!!!!

good.

Yeah Coleman use the MN taxpayers to fight the certified results after you stated you would never do that when you were telling Franken to concede duiing the original vote count and it looked as though you were winning...

Republicans=hyprocrisy, just another example

This is a great news for our country. Let's Go Liberals!!!!!!! Thank you MN. God bless our next great president Obama and his family and the Bidens and the Clintons!

Congratulations Al!

Great! Kick the old bum out, change has come to Minnesota YIPPIE!

Well I guess he is good enough, smart enough, and dog gonnit people voted for him.

Woo Hooo!!! He's good enough, he's smart enough and gosh darn it, people like him.

Allowing the members of one political party in the Senate to filiibuster the seating of members of another political party is a dangerous precedent..

I am personally on Coleman's side. This Minnesota state election is unfair, if you ask me. First Coleman wins by around 200 or 300 votes, and now Franken wins by 225 votes??? Also, it was the Minnesotat secretary of state, who is a democrat, who called for the recount. I think this is undemocratic, and the Coleman case shouldn't have been rejected.

Pending lawsuits that are doomed to fail, Al Franken is the new senator from Minn! Can't wait to hear Bill'O have to explain off this one.

How stupid can a state of voters be to elect this idiot to the Senate. Maybe Bozo the Clown should run for the house, I hear he needs a job.

Please, Please!!! I beg of you let this be over. This is ridiculous I don't care who wins just let this nonsense end.

Time to move on people!!

about time....back to your cave republicans!

Congratulations Mr. Franken! nana, nana boo boo : )

59-41.. hooray

Sweeeet!
Change came to Minn!

now the court case!!

let every vote count at least once or twice just to get it right.

Wow, so is everyone even now Bush "stole the election" and now Franken does