CNN

Excuse me..to the person who said the supreme court that appointed bush president was a democratic majority sure doesn' know much about his country. THERE WERE FIVE REPUBLICANS. And four democrats...The repubs were,,,1-O'Conner, 2- Thomas, 2=Scalia, 4 -Kennedy and the 5- chief justice who was a drug addict and died shortly thereafter, I forgot his name. But if you google you can find it...that sure makes five to four in my count.

When a board of State elected members,employee's,majority of Minnesota voters (could happen in any state) make a decision the thing for the elected representive of that State to do is abide by it. Unless the case is he or she believes some votes got flushed down the toilet in which case he or she may hire a team with his or her own money to go look for them. Thank you. Next.

The first recount was required by law. Coleman and Franken's committee's sat down and pointed out the ballots they wanted counted that they said were erroroneously thrown out.

Now Coleman wants another recount. Will he go to court and ask for recount recount til he wins. The thing he should have done was go to the Supreme Court and ask them to stop the count when he was ahead. After all...that's was bush did and he got to be president.

Poor bugs bunny.

"You need to realize that the decision ultimately went all the way up to the US Supreme Court which was a Democrat majority. You need to move on."

if by democrat majority you mean that 7 of the 9 justices were appointed by republicans, then, yes it was a democratic majority.

Its over norm you lost there was a recount already and you lost move on colemen ITS OVER!!!!

Sen Coleman, you lost this election the minute an auto recount was indicated. You were the incumbent. You lost the minute the race was too close to call. Get over it all ready and move on to your book and made for T.V. movie deals, will you?

Chris January 7th, 2009 1:48 pm ET
Suddenly a Republican says "Not every vote has been counted"
now THAT is a FIRST!

And the Democrats are saying "Stop Counting Stop Counting, we're finally ahead!"

It works both ways Chris.

Franken has opened his past to the public (yes I'm a Minnesota ya sure you betcha). Norm – oh dear Norm – he is a fine man and we love him but...there are a few money and bribe issues that have somehow gone unanswered.

He can ice fish now. Bye Norm!

People outside of MN don't really know the real Franken. He is intelligent, thoughtful and will make a great senator. I am glad I voted for him. Bye Norm...

Enough already!! Recount done and it's over.

Why can't this guy go the way of the Dodo? Be gone already!

This should shed some light on this for those of you not from Minnesota. In the three state elections Norm Coleman has run in, he lost to Jesse Ventura, he defeated a dead guy (ex-senator Paul Wellstone who was leading by double digits but died in a plane crash a week before the election), and now he has lost to Al Franken. After a deliberate, unbiased, and painstaking recount of all the ballots – Coleman is still contesting the election. Both Republicans and Democrats agree there are not enough contested ballots for Coleman to make up the 255 votes he needs to overtake Al Franken. The election is over and certified but the state of MN only has one seated senator until this clown concedes, which could take months.

Hey Kurt C, are you having a bout with dementia? Bush did NOT win Florida. Jeb Bush and Trashy Katherine Harris stole it from Gore..Get your facts straight. Funny how they dumped her when she was trying for the Senate seat that the IDIOT Martinez won. He also won because the Hispanic vote put him there. These Hispanics that came from South America only voted for him because of him being Hispanic. So I guess you can call the Latin community raciest also.

No need to follow the rules when you in Minnesota..., at least not while the media is interested.

George Bush DID NOT win the 2000 election. Independant recounts of ALL of the Florida ballots found that Gore actually won. Bush only won because they did not recount ALL of the ballots and since they were only recounting some, the Supreme Court determined that the recount was flawed and stopped it.

The recounts that had Bush winning were those that only recounted the ballots in the disputed counties.

Not to mention the illegal and biased voter role purging by the Republican Florida Secretary of State, shortage of voting machines in heavily Democratic areas, actual roadblocks to voting stations in heavily Democratic areas, etc.

Oh yeah, Bush won that vote handily . . . NOT. He stole the election in 2000 and barely squeaked by in 2004 and there still remains questions about the voting in Ohio for 2004.

Coleman is such a hypocrite. He just needs to follow his message on election night, and save the people of Minnesota money by conceding.

Jimmy January 7th, 2009 12:47 pm ET
" Are Republicans going to label Coleman the same way they did to Gore in 2000? "

I don't know Jimmy. Are the Democrats going to insist that all the votes be counted like they did in 2000? There are still ballots not counted. It's not over until the Supremes sing.

Vegas January 7th, 2009 1:24 pm ET
Is there any way we can revoke the statehood of Minnesota? I mean, really, people! Jesse Ventura and now Al Franken? Are those the best politicians you can find? At least "The Body" was only a state officeholder. Franken (AKA Stuart Smalley) will be affecting the rest of us in the nation!
Recounts and court contests aside, I just can't believe that clown got so many votes.
-----------

While we're at it, take Iowa (Fred "Gopher" Grandy from "the love boat") and California (Sonny "I got you babe" Bono), BOTH proud members of the Good Old Boy Party

Why doesn't Coleman just bow out. He's such a cry baby! He lost...period. Maybe he can run in the next election. Coleman thought he would win hands down...surprise. doesn't Coleman have some other day job he can go to?

It's over, the Franken was officially certified the winner. Coleman should step aside.

Gotta use it again, it was brilliant:

"Get over it, Smilin' Norm. Your rear end just got booted. You've now become the only man ever to lose to both Jesse Ventura and Al Franken."

Cheers Adam...I think you summed up Norms legacy, and incompetence in that one simple statement!

Just look at the democrats in MN skirting laws to keep Coleman from being elected. Not the American way, guys!!!

Nancy Pelosi. Harry Reid. Caroline Kennedy. Al Franken.

The democratic party is in full scale meltdown.

Suddenly a Republican says "Not every vote has been counted"

now THAT is a FIRST!

Amazing – when the Dems whined and cried over the 2008 elections in Florida, we said enough is enough, let it go. Now, when the Reps are fussing over Minnesota – the Libs know they're wrong.

mari, maybe if the media hadn't announced that the 2000 presidential election was over by 2pm Pacific time, more Bush voters in CA, OR, WA, and other western states would have come out to vote and given the Bush the popular vote too. Gore was never ahead in Florida, excluding the pro-Repub, military absentee ballets what were never inlcuded.

Give me a break.

all franken is cool and very intelligent. he is the winner

COLEMAN IS TRYING ALL KARL ROVE TRICKS BUT NONE IS WORKING. LOSER.

Smilin' Norm is a sore loser.

Remember in November? When he stood up there with his big, white, toothy grin and said that if he were in Al Franken's shoes, he would step aside?

Well, the recount has been completed openly, honestly, and painstakingly. And now this worthless hypocrite is flashing a big, white, toothy frown and saying that the election was stolen from him.

Get over it, Smilin' Norm. Your rear end just got booted. You've now become the only man ever to lose to both Jesse Ventura and Al Franken.

Killing is always bad.
If a child pointed his gun at you and your children, you tried to reason with him, you even tried to negotiate with him. He is still going to kill you. Would you not shoot him first? Do you think you have another choice? Ok, you tried that too; didn’t work either and he killed one of your children. You shot the hand he had the gun in so he dropped the gun, pick it up in his other hand and shot another one of your children.
Now he is coming after your other kids as well. You shot the other hand. He picked up with his healed hand and started shooting at your children again. You tried to warn him and he pretended to listen.
When you turned away for a moment he shot yet another one of your children. But this child looks so helpless and cute and injured.
Yet he is killing your children, and you know if you don’t shoot him and kill him he will kill more of your children and he will never stop until they are all dead. What would you do? Would you let him kill your children? Or would you go and kill him first?
Does that make you bad? Does that make you a murderer?
But people can’t see what he is doing? He is a child and he knows how to play and hide well.
Would you kill him before he kills you and your children?
What do you think?

Kovadis Najem

Norm Coleman is a right-wing piece of garbage.

Let it go!
coleman juz let it go,,,

There's more to life than making a statement

when african leaders cling to power, blood is shed
when 1st world leaders cling on; lifetime is wasted

I'm a Minnesotan and I couldn't bring myself to vote for either Coleman or Franken. But given the choice of only the two I would have voted for Franken in a heartbeat, and this is before Coleman's antics.

First you wanted Franken to concede before the mandatory recount due to such a close race. Then you and your lawyers agreed to the recount of 950 ballots that Franken and his lawyers also agreed on. Your lawyers, and Franken's, hovered over the recount process. You lost. Now you want more ballots recounted. How does this put Country First, let alone the Minnesotan citizens first? Quit wasting my tax dollars and drop it.

To all of those that keep going back to the 2000 election.......

You need to realize that the decision ultimately went all the way up to the US Supreme Court which was a Democrat majority. You need to move on.

NON-ISSUE

The judge recusing himself keeps things fair for Coleman. Those of you claiming or thinking it's part of the whole "Franken conspiracy" have it backwards.

"'Not every vote has been counted, and some have been counted twice,' Coleman said at a press conference Tuesday."

So, this is about the claim that 133 votes were counted twice and that 659 absentee ballots that he previously agreed should not be counted–now need to be counted. So, let's say we do what Coleman wants–and assume that since we don't really know what is in these ballots, that they break 50/50 just like the election. So, the 133 double counts–take 66 from Coleman and 67 from Franken–so Franken is ahead by 249. Next, even though the other absentee ballots went 60/40 for Franken, let's say these magical ones go 50/50 so that would be 329 more for Franken and 330 for Coleman–notice in both these cases, the extra half vote goes to Coleman–and Franken wins by 248.

So, Norm, if you really care about your state and about your country, go away quietly and in peace rather than as a sore loser.

Most republicans commenting here are no different from the
Bin Laden gang.

They hate everything what is not republican regardless of past corruptive administrations. They fight against democratic principles
and ordinary peoples rights.

Its a disgrace.

Is there any way we can revoke the statehood of Minnesota? I mean, really, people! Jesse Ventura and now Al Franken? Are those the best politicians you can find? At least "The Body" was only a state officeholder. Franken (AKA Stuart Smalley) will be affecting the rest of us in the nation!

Recounts and court contests aside, I just can't believe that clown got so many votes.

As another Minnesota resident, I want Coleman to continue to fight. This election was mishandled from the beginning. The margin is within a couple of hundred votes and there have been plenty of instances where decisions about the vote were made without logic. Here is a couple as reported by the Minneapolis paper and the WSJ.

1-There are counties where there are more votes than registered voters and yes, they favored Franken.
2- An election official that "forgot" 100 absentee votes in her car and they were all for Franken
3- An election offical that "forgot" to call in the results the night of the election and yes, they favored Franken.

As a resident, I want the person that truly was voted in, if that is Franken, so be it. However, consistancy with the voting process needs to be adhered to and it wasn't. That is the facts.

I suppose, Coleman figures that his future in politics is over if he loses his senate seat. Otherwise, he'd be giving more consideration to bowing out gracefully. He's certainly entitled to pursue the election through the courts. But, if he loses, and he'll likely lose, he'll be seen as a sore loser.

If I read this correctly, Coleman wants ballots counted now, that he tried to block previously. Hmmm...

Have these ballots been kept under lock and key so that they could not be altered?

I say let Franken in. This will complete the meltdown occuring within the Democratic party. Imagine Franken spewing his garbage on CSPAN night after night along with the Pelosi/Reid duet. 2010 is looking more and more like 1994.
Oh, Proud American, I haven't seen any posts from you today. Did mom finally kick you out???

Has Minnesota run out of rest rooms at the airport? LOSER!!!

I think every jailed politician in the past 10 years has been Republican Kurt C. so the whole political culture is corrupt, you sound like an idiot right winger attempting to point the finger, look in the mirror. Now to the topic, this has to be the biggest display of idiocy in MN. And as long as the state of MN. is part of the union, it is our business letitbenews. I think they should just re-do the whole election since neither of those cry babies want to be the loser. And if Gore would not have toungued his wife at the DNC convention to show distance from Clinton (which offended most of us) and turned his back on Clinton for an issue that was really Hillary's problem, not America's problem, he wouldn't have needed Florida to win. So you Dems quit crying over spilled milk. It's over. President Obama is now in charge, or wil be in 13 days.

Why can't Politician except defeat. Why spend all this money and waste the tax payers time because the count didn't come out in his favor. Be a big boy and suck it up.

He's obviously lost the election. At this point he's just trying to distract from the fact that he is under criminal corruption investigation by the FBI.

This is crazy. There comes a point when a man has to say "enough is enough" Coleman is past that point. He was a useless senator who is now trying to hang onto a position that, when he had it, he didn't live up to the title. Franken is no better, but Franken has the votes, Coleman does not. When the governor from your own party says give it up, well, it's time to give it up.

Mari.
Every INDEPENDENT recount of the Florida vote proved that Bush won.
So get over it... he didn't steal anything. And get your facts straight, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the results, not Jeb Bush.

Simple fact, it is very possible to win the popular vote and still lose the electoral vote.

We need to do away with the electoral college.

GIVE IT UP NORM! YOU LOST!

Why is it Republicans go out of their way to block "we the people" when things don't go their way? This is becoming routine, along with throwing out a lie or two (like recounting votes twice) so the media latches on and spreads it like wildfire. They make themselves look like the underdogs without having to wimper and whine.

Mari ... since when did the popular vote determine the Presidential election? I always thought it was the electoral college. While I would agree that the electoral college concept is obsolete and should be abandoned, as long as it remains in place it is the law. Or is this something else that should have been changed after the fact because Al Gore didn't like the result.

@ Kurt C

yes.....PAYBACK

Another fine example of republican sportsmanship. Talk about try to steal an election. If you do not believe the repugs are pros at this ask Gore or Kerry. Funny now how loudly they scream!

Kurt C. January 7th, 2009 12:45 pm ET

Payback for 2000? What – that the correct man won and they stopped Gore from stealing it? You need payback for thwarting Gore from illegally taking the 2000 election?

How sad.
------------------–
Good point in regards to the 2000 election, each recount ended with Bush winning. However, that same point contradicts this issue. The recount was done, and more votes are for Franken. So, to your point, it's not right to call it a payback. It's more appropriate to say "Coleman lost, and just can't take it with grace".

So why is Coleman going back on his own advice, prior to the recount, of 'Just accept the loss". He didn't want the recount then, but now he wants it? Doesn't make sense. Is he a man of principal? This tantrum he's throwing would indicate that he's not. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. No recount then, no lawsuit now. Or is this a matter of 'do what I say, not what I do"?

I think the one thing we can agree on, losing to Franken, or even having a close race with Franken, is pretty embarrassing. Coleman can't be all that great if a guy like Franken can compete with him.

To Kurt C:

I don't know whether to be amazed or appalled by your comments. As an independent moderate, I will go with being appalled that anyone living in this country can be so ill informed.

This is a non-issue. It's the most ethical choice this justice could make and really changes nothing. If he stayed and appointed the 3 justices who will hear Coleman's silly appeal, then the GOPers would be crying that he was in cahhoots with the Sec. of State (who is a Dem) to fix the whole thing. This way, the integrity of the choice of 3 justices is intact.

This helps Coleman by keeping things fair, so you morons on this blog claiming it's all part of the conspiracy you think exists are completely wrong.

Another recount won't happen. Coleman you LOST and don't you have legal problems of your own you should be dealing with rather than trying to divert attention to the recount. Oh and by the way Tim Pawlenty can't help you now!

What would Al Gore do?

As a MN resident, I'm very disappointed in Norm for pursuing this any further & denying the people of Minnesota the representation of 2 senators for who knows how much longer. Former Republican governor Arne Carlsen is not in favor of this either and said yesterday you should stop. This whole recount melodrama has gone on for nearly 2 months – both sides had their lawyers hovering over the recount and the count of absentee ballots not counted the first time. Isn't that good enough for you, Norm??? Apparently not. Keep running up the cost to the taxpayers, Norm – who was it you were working for???

@ KURT C. ........... GORE WON THE POPULAR VOTE IN 2000, AND FLORIDA WAS 'DELIVERED' BY JEB ON A SILVER PLATTER!

YES.......BUSH....... STOLE THE ELECTIONS IN 2000.

Kurt, your meds need adjusting.

Not payback ... justice. Coleman wants to change the counting laws that were in place before the election. Which is exactly what Al Gore sued to do in Florida 2000. Like it or not, the US Supreme Court issued the proper ruling in 2000 (after the Democrat Florida Supreme Court basically tried to change the counting laws statewide), and so far it appears that the Minnesota Supreme Court properly denied Coleman's request to change similar rules. For both Mr. Gore and Mr. Coleman ... you want to change the rules, change them before you lose an election, not after.

I have to disagree letitbenews, as a senator he would be able to vote on issues that have an impact on the entire country, while the choice is squarely in the hands of the people of Minnesota, the impact is far reaching....

Coleman should move in the neighborhood with bush

The democrats failed in 2000 to steal the election in Florida, but since then they've gotten much better at it. It always follows the same format. Republicans win a close one on election night. They win the recount, then the democrats go to work changing the rules and finding more ballots mysteriously in the trunks of cars that are also mysteriously 100% for their guy. The, of course, when the recount can't find ballots that were originally counted for their candidate they count them anyway, and if there's no reason to suspect that they were fraudulently counted in the first place. Republicans better wake up....pre-election you have ACORN and other democratic groups to deal with, and post election you have blatant stealing. Don't think it won't get worse...the more elections the dems steal the worse it will get!

Dang that picture scares me everytime I see it.....

So is Franken going to Washington to be sworn in? The canvasing board certified his win.

Why do the republicans always think the courts will appoint them to elected positions? Oh yeah, I almost forgot - Bush v. Gore.

Coleman lost he should lose gracefully and concede.

Phil Gramm surely was talking about Coleman when he was talking about American whiners.

Well, well, well.... Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago when Coleman was in the lead and suggested that Frankin conceed? Hmm. Let Coleman take this to the bitter end. The more he stamps his feet like an angry child being denied a sweet, the more the people will realize how petty he is. Like the Republicans stated on 2000, "Get over it!"

Time for Franken to pull a Burris and see how the Repulicans react.

Payback? I wouldn't call it payback, I simply call it justice. Coleman wants to change the counting laws that were in place before the election. Which is exactly what Al Gore sued to do in Florida 2000. Like it or not, the US Supreme Court issued the proper ruling in 2000 (after the Democrat Florida Supreme Court basically tried to change the counting laws statewide), and so far it appears that the Minnesota Supreme Court properly denied Coleman's request to change similar rules. For both Mr. Gore and Mr. Coleman ... you want to change the damn rules, change them before you lose an election, not after.

Why is it, that the most advanced country in the world cannot seem to run an election without controversy? How hard is it to count the ballots, all the ballots, and come up with a winner?

Really?

this election requires a duel!

Bah! if all goes as I expect, Al Franken will get the place, for he is using the SAME PRACTICE AS OBAMA DID FOR WIINNIG ELECTIONS,..FRAUD,CORRUPTION, MORE FRAUD AND MORE CORRUPTION,...etc, and others goodies

Quite frankly, lately, America sucks!,...WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO DECENCY,....STILL HOPE!

Sincerely,
Daniel Cabrera
Merrillville, Indiana

How is this the "Democrat Culture of Corruption" marching on? The chief justice (appointed by a Republican) recuses himself because it is proper to do so. Coleman actually stands a (marginally) better chance with Page, who dissented in the decision that the campaigns should agree before improperly rejected ballots would be counted, saying that the campaigns should not be left to agree and instead wanting a uniform decision on which to count.

Regardless, it looks like Coleman will just be stalling the final decision, especially when the items he cites still don't add up to the deficit he needs to overcome. Even if his missing ballots argument holds, it does not gain him the 133 total, only the 46 net that Franken prevailed in that precinct. Each of the other Coleman positions follow a similar logic, and even if he ran the table in his favor it looks bleak.

Comedian turned politician turned comedian...

al franken won the election go join bush and don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you

Coleman is not an honorable man. He should concede. How can he justify depriving the people of MN a senator for two months, all on hopes he can create a new case.

go al franken we need smart people in the senate not dumbass republicans

Corruption? Coleman can't handle the fact he lost fair and square to Franken. Are Republicans going to label Coleman the same way they did to Gore in 2000? Is Coleman a baby? Why does Coleman want the courts to decide instead of the people? Geez, Republicans have not learned a single thing yet.

NORM PLEASE GO AWAY!

The Republican culture of arrogance and entitlement marches on

repubs doing away with the constitution and the geneva convention a prison in cuba that allows torture and can't even hold an election without judges who are more than likely republicans to decide what the people have voted for...always got to be in control and when that gets screwed up as usual .....they blame dems...americans are fed up with there bullshit

comments on this issue should be left to the people(voters) of Minnesota. It's their problem, not ours elsewhere in the USA.

I thought Coleman didn't want a recount? Now he does? This is a man who is unable to stick to his convictions. How can he possibly represent anyone when he can't even follow his own principals. The man is capable of major crime based on this obvious about face from his previous position in regards to the recount.

Then: Franken, don't waste the taxpayers money or time by not accepting defeat.

Now: I was defeated, I want to waste the taxpayers time and money. Because I"m a whiner and do not want what is best for my state!

Canvassing board has spoken, lets get in with it. Good bye MR. Coleman.

Payback for 2000? What – that the correct man won and they stopped Gore from stealing it? You need payback for thwarting Gore from illegally taking the 2000 election?

How sad.

For Kurt C.-

Yep! Right next to the Republican culture of the same corruption. You get what you vote for buddy.

All this has done, is show everyone how corrupt the elections are! Why not do a recount on everything for the past 20 years, maybe there never was a Bush that won......what a concept

cry baby coleman.you lost fool get over it.you and bush can now play TOGETHER.

"The Democrat Culture of Corruption marches on."

And your proof, other than the gum-flapping of Norm Coleman, is?

Kurt C.,

Have you just gotten out of an 8 year coma? The republicans have generated more scandals in that time than at any other period of American History combined.

Coleman lost fair and square.

This has gone on long enough. Coleman LOST. It's over!!!!!! Kind of feel sorry for old Normie though. Only politician I know of who can lose a state wide election to a professional wrestler AND a comedian.

Coleman is a sore loser, plain and simple or he feels the sting of indictment if he can't get back to the Senate to plug the holes.

This has gone beyond stupid. By no means am I pulling for the Democrats, but this dead horse has been beat enough. At this rate, it will be time for re-election before this one is settled.

It's going to be embarassing when Coleman can't substantiate ANY of his claims.

Coleman = loser + hypocrite

This is payback for 2000. I love it!

I thought that dirt bag of wasted flesh, AKA Coleman originally said he didn't want a recount. He went so far as to tell Franken to not cost Minnesota wasted time and money. He said Franken should just accept the loss. My how things have changed. The two faced criminal now does an about face? The guy has not morals/principals that he sticks to. A common case of do as I say, not as I do.

Coleman is useless, confused, and corrupt! Hopefully we never see him in any elected capacity again!

the right and proper thing to do he was a member of the group that certified the election and should rightly recuse himself. Nice to see someone with real integrity for a change!

as foir those who think this is democrats or republicans trying to steal a seat all I can say is

idiots

The Democrat Culture of Corruption marches on.