ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – The fight over Minnesota's Senate seat is still making its way through the legal system, but Democrat Al Franken's staff on Monday began officially calling him "Senator-elect."
Franken has yet to be issued a certificate of election, and a post-election trial is currently playing out which will decide the outcome.
A press release went out early Monday morning announcing that the "Sen-elect" would be holding a roundtable discussion on the stimulus package with local mayors and a school board member, essentially carrying out duties on par with those of a sitting Senator.
Following the event at the first press conference he's held since the election, Franken said he personally does not insist people address him as Senator-elect, but said "technically" it was correct.
"I won the recount," Franken said. "You can call me Al."
Franken held a slim lead of only 225 votes - out of about 3 million - over former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman after the statewide recount was complete. But both the secretary of state and the governor, a Democrat and a Republican respectively, have refused to make those results official because Coleman is contesting those results in court.
Franken was also asked if he thought people might find this latest action a bit presumptuous.
"I get asked that a lot," Franken said. "I don’t think this is presumptuous at all. I think that Minnesotans know that it's...very possible that I'll be in the Senate, and that I want to hit the ground running when I get there."
Franken said he would take his findings from the roundtable and "report to Amy," referring to Minnesota's lone U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a fellow Democrat.
The Minnesota Supreme Court is currently weighing Franken's request to force the state to issue the election certificate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - who thus far has not attempted to seat Franken - might be more inclined to place him in the Senate if the High Court sides with him, Franken said.
"I think he's really waiting for this contest to finish or wait until the... Minnesota Supreme Court makes a ruling on a certificate."
Coleman spokesman Mark Drake told reporters gathered at the trial proceedings Monday that calling Franken the senator-elect would be "a joke."
In an emailed statement, another Coleman spokesman, Luke Friedrich, said Franken is merely "pretending to be a Senator before we know who really won."
"Al Franken's 'Senator-for-a-day' public relations stunt is not a replacement for proven leadership.," Friedrich said. "Senator Coleman consults on a regular basis with his colleagues, Minnesota officials and others on issues related to the economy and jobs."
The trial moved into its fourth week Monday afternoon. Franken said he will not be in attendance, as he will be traveling to other parts of the state for more roundtable discussions. Franken has not shown up in the courtroom to date, while rival Coleman has shown up regularly.
From CNN Politics
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Just like Hillary, if you say it, it must be true. Go back to SNL Stuart!
Technically and realistically he's wrong! He has not been declared the winner! As for his staff calling him Senator-Elect, you might as well call him 'Your Highness", still doesn't make it so! Please step out of fanasty land!
But with a doubt..., he's an idoit.
Sorry, that would be Fantasy Land!
Good for Franken.one more nail in the republican coffin.
This man is an absolute joke!
The man got some nerves. He cheats his way by voiding legitimate votes for his opponent and dares to face the world and say he's the winner. People like this have no mplace in our government. And we wonder why our system is so corrupt that our country is no longer respected by the world.
When will they make it end? My God, the repug ones are sure good at one thing.....hangin' on to hangin' on. It is clear Franken won, just like it is clear that tax cuts for the wealthy and increasing capital gains taxes do not work. Bye, bye Norman. Wish you could take the rest of the repugs with ya.
Will this ever end?
Congratulations Franken
Al............................you are as much a disgrace as obama is and his cabinet is.
They should hurry to get this carpetbagging, ACORN/UAW supported clown to Congress. Another stupid,elitist, naked marxist liberal that the country can see for what they really are.
Republicans prove time and time again that they don't do anything for the majority of this country, their best tool is that they can manipulate the less educated. But anyway, it's going to be nice to be representated by two Democrats in Minnesota. Welcome aboard Al!
Democrats have officially lost the right to complain about the 2000 Florida recount.
Republicans behaved despicably there, but frankly I'm seeing the exact same behavior here.
And no, Mr. Franken, you are not "Senator-elect" until you've been handed a certificate from the Governor and Secretary of State of Minnesota.
Silly democracy. How inconvenient.
I hope and can imagine by now you hope that you can be called, officially, Senator Franken very soon. It is amazing that this has taken so long. I wish you the best and an overdue Congratulations!
Coleman shows uo in court each day because he has no where else to go. What a loser.
I thought he was technically insane.
presuming one is the winner before an election is completed seems a bit audatious.
Technically, you're correct Mr. Franken. Norm can't be too happy with that.
Amboseli! Lots of Game. Wild!!!
I wish Norm Coleman would go away. He lost and is just prolonging the inevitable.
When will this MN fight be done?
And you'll be SENATOR once Normie stops kick and screaming and spinning in circles in the Walmart parking lot.
Do you ever take notes of Other Elections, Lady... Cash comes and goes: depending who was Elected. Do your Research, Then Shout Jerk!!!
Good.
But I was!!!
Way to go Al! And it is only February.
Come on – Let's get AL in there! His new and powerful voice is much needed in this time of change!
I think people underestimate the power that this man is going to bring. It's one thing to be famous and entering into the political world (Arnold, Reagan etc.) and another to be famous, a gifted politician, and SMART!
This is a smart man and with a great liberal streak in him that will shake things up some. That's what congress needs right now!
Take it to them AL!
Franken is 'technically' a dork.
Honey, yeah, you won!!
This was one HECK of a fight.. down to the wire...
This only goes to show the brain power of the left, socialist party. Anyone that would vote for this bad stand-up comic can't be too bright.
Al Franken is "technically" an idiot.
Al Franken is a lib loon and is way out of the mainstream, American- thinking. People like him, Pelosi, Boxer, Burris, etc. ARE what's wrong with our country!
Similar to the "Office of the President Elect"
this fool has cabin fever ,,,,,what a pitiful joke this fool has pull on the voters of MN.....ha ha ha ...MN you folks are nuts !!!!
What an idiot!
Dream on – an attempt to steal an election. Franken go home!
Yea, Al Franken, almost time to throw the dirt on the redneck republican grave.
Al Franken was, is, and always will be a walking, talking joke. He can steal an election if he likes, but he will never be a US senator, even if he is seated as one. He barely belongs in a night club. It's shameful to think they will let him sit in something as dignified as the US Senate chamber.
I can only hope that in six years, the Minnesota Democratic party will find a viable, serious candidate, and Minnesota voters will vote with their brains instead of their behinds.
Well, since Franken won the recount, Coleman has the burden of proof as he attempts to overturn the recount. I'm not sure there is any Senator-elect for this seat, but if there is one, it's Franken.
The Repubs are so used to fixing elections, they won't concede.
What a party of 'denial'. The stimulus was on the web for the public to read. They LIE and say they never saw it. The world could see it. This is scary that they did not even know that.
Congrats Franken!
Like a turd that won't flush, Franken just keeps coming back.
This is soooooooooooo funny. This states election count and the resulting fiasco put Florida to shame. Republicans this year have acted so badly it is a shame.
We shouldn't be so hard on the conservatives.
I can't even imagine how much it must suck to wake up and realize that everything you've believed your entire life about social economics is proven wrong.
Sure he's the senator elect. Anytime you have more votes in a precint than there are registered voters its easy to win. What a joke. I can't imagine even democrat senators are excited about adding a SNL reject with his temper to their close knit brotherhood.
It's about time!
I am from Minnesota and I think Coleman is the top of sour grapes. He is ridiculous.....First he said, when he had a slim lead that Franken should do the right thing and concede.
The state of Minnesota has a law that says if there is a a margin within a certain amount then there is an automatic recount. AFTER the recount Franken won. NEXT Coleman went ballistic, filing lawsuits, going thru all the ballots and pick and choosing ones he thought he had won.
REMEMBER...HE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID FRANKEN SHOULD CONCEDE WITH HE HAD THE MAJORITY BUT THE TABLES TURNED WHEN HE LOST. HE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID THAT THEY SHOULD PICK ONLY CERTAIN BALLOTS, WHICH HE AND FRANKEN AGREED ON. Then when he didn't get enough to win he started a round of endless lawsuits.
AND WAITING IN THE WINGS ARE TWO LAWSUITS AGAINST HIM FOR FRAUD. Which he got the courts to hold off on till the recount. So even if he does manage to hunt and seek out ballots that favor him, he might still end up in jail. Like the rest of the crooked republicans.
coleman keeps costing the taxpayers more money, money that we don't have, his hissy fit is too expensive for America, coleman give it up and get a life.
dianaegle, a bit of education is in order. The election is complete. As is the recount, done under the eyes of both sides attorneys. This is just a (frivoulous) legal action by Norm.
Al Franken as a US Senator...........makes Illinois' recent political corruption problems seem less rediculous by comparison. I would rather have a retarded chimpazee be Senator instead of Franken. The man is an idiot.
Dylan from MN February 16th, 2009 1:45 pm ET
Republicans prove time and time again that they don't do anything for the majority of this country, their best tool is that they can manipulate the less educated. But anyway, it's going to be nice to be representated by two Democrats in Minnesota. Welcome aboard Al!
------------------------------–
Oh absolutely Dylan. Repubs can do nothing by manipulate people and the election system. Uhh, wait....let the synapses complete the thought. Yeah, that's right, Al was the one who voided all those legitimate votes for Coleman.
Yeah, those dumb republicans, using the courts for what they are intended. I mean, why don't we just throw out all the Repubs, but in all Dems, then we can become the big government, let us give you things you don't earn, then take it all back through taxes system that you are all dying to have. Yeah.
NOPE. The economy has plummeted since the DEMS TOOK CONTROL OF CONGRESS IN 2006. The economy was doing well until then. Remember when Bush said that Fannie and Freddie needed more oversight? The Dems said he was just instilling fear into people. Guess who was right? The Dems have steered the country downhill since their majority election took place. Look at the facts. Research the economy of 2000-2006, then look at 2006-now. Hmmmmm.
Such poetic justice for Coleman, a former Democrat. Hilariously funny. I notice he's now an advisor to the Republican Jewish Coalition, they can probably convene in a phone booth! Maybe the earth and planets are back in their proper orbits after eight years– finally !!!
The person with the highest number of counted votes normally wins, even in court (except in presidential elections). Old Norm wasn't very good at solving problems so Franken can't be any worse. At least his main interest is serving the people instead of making the government weak and ineffective and giving everything to corporations, like so many others in congress always do.
1st it was a wrestler then its a SNL comedian, can't wait to see what the great state of Minnesota will offer the political arena next.
HE SHOULD OF SAID , CALL ME MR ACORN
The US Congress should to make sure that a charade like this doesn't happen again. Elections results should be decided within some timeframe, for the good of the country. My understanding is that everyone agreed to a recount, but the results didn't please Coleman, so now he is taking it to court. Meanwhile MN lacks proper representation. Crazy.
First, the people of Minnesota give us Jesse the Body Ventura and now Al the Buffoon Franken. What are these people thinking?
HANG IN THERE AL – - DON'T STOP FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE!
You are the right person for the job and we love you!!!
With a 245 vote lead, he is technically the senator elect while this legal mess play out. Norm Coleman has lost this race, but continue to drag this thing on. I don't see him trying to hurry up on those ethical charges against him. I don't see him making a fuss about that at all. Franken is not my 1st choice, but there can only be one winner and Norm Coleman aint it!
southerncousin: "They should hurry to get this carpetbagging, ACORN/UAW supported clown to Congress. Another stupid,elitist, naked marxist liberal that the country can see for what they really are."
I've read your comments on just about every story posted on the ticker and have concluded that you are following the example of the current GOP leadership...criticizing the work of the other party, calling them names and all of your other childish acts without ever offering a feasible counter proposal to whatever problems that we are facing! Do you even know what Marxism is? Do you know anything specific about Al Franken's positions on current policy? Can you define elitist without using the NEOCON's campaign's soundbites? When is the last time you looked up the definition of what "liberal" means?
If you are going to comment, please make some relevant arguments – something that can be supported using sound logical thought processes, or would that be too "elitist" for you?
"Technically" he is a comic
Fearful @ 1:38 (and Unbelievable @ 1:46), do u really think 200,000 Jewish voters in a heavily Democratic district of Florida intended to vote for Pat Buchanen rather than Al Gore? If you complained then, I'll go with you on the unusualness of this race. But if not, then you're a hypocrite because with those votes, Gov. George Bush became President Bush. And with his presidency, two wars that we can't get out of (although I have NO problem with taking over Afghanistan). Oh yearh, and that 1.3 MILLION tax cut that also has led to a lot of JOB CUTS.
Or, how about all the soldiers who've come back dead from an unnecessary war? Or, the ones who're permanently disfigured or disabled? Or how about the trumping of privacy rights? Those are the little details I guess you conveniently forget.
Hey Southern Cuz., how 'bout a beer after you and Cleetus finish your deliverance.
Have any of you ever listened to Mr. Franken speak? Have you?
He is really quite intelligent. So, I guess that why those of you on here ragging on him cannot connect. You are used to being spoon fed every idea in your little heads.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ALL RED STATES BECOME BLUE STATES. THE DEMOCRATS RULE. THE REPUBLICANS ARE RACIAL.
I guess it's alright, I mean, Obama is "technically" our president.
I guess it's alright, I mean, Obama is "technically" our president.
Al Wins. Norm Loses.
The nation needs a fillabuster proof senate. Enough is enough.
Congrats Senator Franken.
Franken is not just a boob but a boob who is also a liar and a cheat. Poor little baby wants desperately to swing the election his way by including only those voting areas which would be favorable to him but excluding those that would be favorable to Coleman. He's a disgrace to this country, his state and to himself. Go away little boy and cry in the corner when it is finally determined that you lost the election. Maybe you can do something good for the country by disappearing from the planet.
He's an actor, and he acts like he cares about America...and gosh darn-it, people don't like him!!!
I hope Franken wins so Herman Munster can sit his tail down somewhere.
Just more grandstanding and stalling by the republicans. They're really desperate now. Seat him and be through with it.
Roll over in your grave, Hubert Humphrey. Nowadays this is what is passed off on the American people as politicians, a US Senator no less. God help us all!
Can't agree with you, just yet, Al! We wish it happened much sooner. Some are turning quite impatient to see you on the senate floor. Good luck, buddy!
What a goober this guy is! What is wrong with people in Minnesota to vote for people like Jesse Ventura and Al Franken? I thought California was the nutty state, but Minnesota is a close second if not a tie.
Republicans don't like technicalities.
When Gore, who won more than a half million more votes than Bush, was challenging the results of the election, the Republicans called him a sore loser. Gore had the grace to stop the challenge so a Bush could become president on time. I wonder what the Republicans are calling Coleman? So far I did not hear him being called a sore loser. He has no class. If he cared about his state he would stop the challenge and allow his state to have two representatives, but winning at all costa and the Country be damned is the Republican credo.
Great for Franken.This is better than water drip torture for the republicans,I love everyday of it.
Minnesota has the best elections laws in the United States. You can go to the uptake right now and watch it all play out in court. Nothing is behind closed doors, everything is out in the sunlight. We have not had a Democratic gov in over 20 years, these are all GOP appointed judges with one from The Body for the recount and supreme court fights.
Norm has been tossed a life jacket time and time again only to be shut down by the law. His lawyers have quit, and been replaced about three times because they know it is futile. Al Franken is Senator-Elect hands down, not technically.
A non-Democratic vote in the Senate is pretty much a win for the GOP. They want this to play out as long as they can.
And for all those who bad mouth Franken OR Coleman: You guy tied them. Every time you try to take you opponent down a peg your guy goes with them.
hang in there Al, fight these buttheads al the way
fearful for my country February 16th, 2009 1:38 pm ET
The man got some nerves. He cheats his way by voiding legitimate votes for his opponent and dares to face the world and say he's the winner. People like this have no mplace in our government. And we wonder why our system is so corrupt that our country is no longer respected by the world.
///////////
If what you say is true – then you feel the same way about G.W. Bush and the 2000 election. Right?
Technically, CLOWN -ELECT
MInnesotans, really, are you ahead of the national curve with your selection of politicains or off the grid?
Who could honestly support Al Franken. When will this country wise up and stop voting for actors, comedians, performers. We need people with ideas, not camera savvy. No wonder america is in decline.
And the country has officially reached the toilet stain status with this MORON elected to high office. Keep bashing the right, keep bashing the business sector, keep bashing and smashing the very hand that feeds you libs and you'll get whats coming to you.
Now insert pathetic Bush comments here.
No, technically you are an idiot. Although seeing as how the Dems are already well on their way to destroying this country, you should fit in just fine.
So, were the dead people that voted for you the same ones that saw your Stuart Smalley movie?
Really? It's the Democrats fault our world view is tarnished. Do you ever catch any other country's polls for who they would like running America? Did you see the response in Berlin when Obama was there last summer? HAVE YOU LIVED IN THIS COUNTRY THE PAST 8 YEARS?!?! The conservative movement has moved so to the right it's comparable to Islamic Extremism. Both groups use fear, violence and and religious fundementalism as their anchor. If you don't see this it's because all your Dogma and predjudice has blinded you.
fearful for my country February 16th, 2009 1:38 pm ET
The man got some nerves. He cheats his way by voiding legitimate votes for his opponent and dares to face the world and say he's the winner. People like this have no mplace in our government. And we wonder why our system is so corrupt that our country is no longer respected by the world.
Lisa T@Do I sound that much like a whiny democrat?
As the Gore people said in 2000....lets count ALL the votes.
Shouldn't Herman Munster be in court on fraud charges. It's amazing that a politician can tell the courts to hold back on the case until after the election. I guess if I'm every charged with anything I'll just ask them to wait until I come back from vacation and then the court proceedings can begin. U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E
Finally we have an "Al" that wins a recount!
This is a great day for the USA!
Ultimately, I'm not sure which is more pathetic. The fact that this tard has been elected Senator, or the fact that there are so many tards in Minnesota that voted him into office.
Why isn't this election certified? It's just plain ignorant to let it go on and on and on.
Franken clearly won, and it seems the GOP will fight it as hard as they fight Obama.
The GOP=Grand Old Pinheads!
Technically he is a bad comic
The GOP is "Technically" challenged.
Norm Coleman lost it time for him to leave, I hate this guy, four years with this guy he will destroy Minnesota, the only reason he is graging this race is he has nothing to lose, and hide from the alegation raised about him. Coleman and Rove belong in jail.
Enough, Already !!!!!
The country is suffering some really hard times, and they are wasting tax payer dollars (what little is left) on a SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SKITISH CASE.
Please put an end to this crap and DECLARE AL FRANKEN THE WINNER ALREADY!!!!
US Senator Al Franken....doesn't that sound good?
technically he was also a comedian. get lost.
You know what the really funny thing is here? All of the Republican clones are upset that a man who was a professional humorist is going to be a Senator, and then they turn right around and bow at the alter of a dead president who starred in "Bedtime for Bonzo".....lol. Sorry, little red voters, your double standard is showing. You lost, democracy won, not hush and let the new leaders start cleaning up your mess.
The people of Minnesota deserve what they voted for.....a bad comedian. This is why the country is in the shape it is in. Dumb voters electing comedians and those like the ex-Illinois governor.
As a republican, I recognize that it is idiotic to call Al an idiot. However, I can not stand democrats who have a problem with the court proceedings. The courts proceedings are as much a part of voting process as the original vote and recount were. And while I think it is ridiculous to call Al the senator-elect, who cares as long as he does not get to vote on anything until all court proceedings are finished?
The sad part is there are those that support this idiot. Americans by and large have been overcome with the dreaded disease titled "A bad case of the dumb".
Al Franken is a hero.Lets bury the 21 states of the confederacy once and for all.
Eric from Texas, you just proved Dylan's point. Dude, it was the Republicans that filibustered the Democrats for the last two years every time they tried to implement some regulations, tax fairness, fair wage laws . . . you name it, they were against it unless shrub approved it.