CNN

I want to congratulate Al Franken for this victory. I am a democrat who believe in the two-party system. We, the democrats, should not view the 60 votes as winner takes all (as the republican did when they had majority), instead we should engage the republicans in healthy debate of ideas to arrive at the best solutions to problems confronting all of us. To the republicans, keep an open mind and dont just say no or condemn every proposals the democrats come up with. Propose your own ideas and explain to the nation why your ideas are better.
I believe that solutions that result from vigorous debate ( not name calling) will be accepted by most and is likely to be sucessful.

I'd still worry if I were you Bijou... Inbreeding will still be illegal in Minnesota... your parents are probably not going to like to hear that!

No matter what happens, we are very lucky to be American! I'm an expat who cannot wait to return to the U.S. (my awesome home)!!!!

Just imagine yourself in Iran right now......Franken and the rest are pure blessings (irrespective of political party).

Cliff Richards had more number one hits than the Beatles. But they belong to Cliff. An English man...

Ok Democrats. You now have NO excuse for not "fixing" this country. Let's see how you do. You now own everything that comes out of congress and the White House, so put you money where your mouth is. Stop name-calling for a "change" and actually do something. If your policies work, great. If not, then 2010 will be a bad year for Democrats. Just remember, the American people have little patience and demand results, not speeches.

Congratulations Senator Frnaken!

We are doomed.

Great news.Getting Limbaugh will be the cherry on top.Go crushers go.

I'm liking this. If Democrats they can pass legislation with "0", zip Republican support. hehehe

Great. Just great. Now that the crazy liberal Franken is in office, watch Minnesota become the next state to allow all of the fruits and freaks to marry. Every degenerate shemale will be heading down to get their marriage certificate to become husband/wife with the next he/she.

With Franken that makes 60. Now maybe the democrats can stop the GOP effort, led by GOP Sen Grassley of Iowa, to RAISE TAXES on middle class health insurance benefits instead of having a public option that will keep insurance companies honest. It looks like the GOP would rather RAISE TAXES on middle class Americans to protect the obscene profits of insurance companies than give Americans a real choice.

@Mich-

I can't fathom how you could possibly think Obama is destroying the Constitution "as Bush did" unless you are a Rush loving GOPer.

Rescueing our economy and its infrastructure from going into a depression has very little to do with the Constitution. Please sight one example of anything Obama has done to smite our Constitution.

ahhh. the Dem's finally get even for the Gore 'loss' of 2000.

senator franken, the 60th seat, who won in 2008,we won again gop you lost a buster proof senate, you lost a majority house, you lost the white house, you lost nevada, north carolina,indiana, virginia,ohio, colorado,and got destroyed in the past election, i got 2 words for the gop, george bush. go al franken

I am happy but I would be happier if the Dems were not the new GOP and the new GOP were not such right wing loons.

I'd rather be a Socialist or even a Communist than be a Republican! Go Al Franken! Time for this country to CHANGE from the evil Bush years and rebuild!

1. An idiot in the white house
2. An idiot as Minn. senator
----

And one sitting behind your keyboard. Please come back when you get an education.

gets into the Senate where he can concentrate on his own benefits, perks, and kickbacks.

If CNN is supposedly a bastion of liberal thought, why to conservatives continue to read it? It must be tiring to sit in the echo chamber that is Faux News. Cause I'm sure everything they say is "fair and balanced"–like Cheney, Limbaugh, and Beck. If they are "fair and balanced" then I'd rather be a loony liberal. Thank you.

It's ironic that we are happy about this. It seems to me the consitiution of the united states is destroyed by this party every day. We need to wake up I was tired of bush destroying the constitution , and Obama is doing the same thing.

Expect Franken to be on State of the Union only to be attacked by John King – the angry Republican!

Not difficult for Obama. Stupid for the USA. Arabia comes west. With the help of Obama.

Jeff at 5:05.

Like its your money???? Mine's going offshore so you and your comrades can't take it from my kids.

Buh bye.

It's about time. In fact, Franken's seating as a US Senator is LONG overdue.

Yipee........now we have;

1. An idiot in the white house
2. An idiot as Minn. senator

Yay!!! Someone give me money i didn't earn!!!!!

Jeff June 30th, 2009 5:05 pm ET
.If we wanna advance it costs money, plain and simple.
-------------------------------
As long as your not paying right Jeff? Things are great as long as you are not the one who has to pay for it.

Welcome to the era of personal irresponsibility!

Boy, a whole lot of bitter losers on this thread. Grow up people. All of those who are griping about a comedian in the Senate well as I remember whe had an actor in the White House at one time. Franken couldn't do any worse and will probably do better than Coleman. See us democrats don't goosestep to party orders like some of you morons who follow Limpballs commands. Now lets see what a real government for the people by the people can do with the replublitards on the sidelines.

Now that Coleman is an avergae un-employed American that will have to deal with the results of 8 years of GOP rule... I would love to be a fly on the wall as Coleman has to fill out his un-employment paperwork, try to find a decent paying job or any job at all and has to buy his own health care insurance! The look on his face as he sees what that costs woudl be priceless! He now has to live in a world he helped create... wanna bet he is voting Democrat by 2012?

Together we will usher in a new era of irresponsibility. Where the common folks won’t be expected to contribute anything to this Nation and the Government will provide for and regulate our lives.

Drop out of school…we have a plan for you! Blow all your money on material goods….we have a plan for you! Have 10 kids with no money no daddy ….we have a plan for you.

Do the right things to succeeded in life…….you need to pay for our plans!

Step down, shut up. The more this man talks the more republicans see what a waste of money he was but oh no we got to hear about his "other" loves besides so to stick the dagger in further of what idiots others are but his wife and children. What a sick greedy ole man. His lights are out.

It's about time that Minnesota had full representation in the Senate. If not for the obstructionists of the radical right they would have had it all along.

Maybe Coleman, Pawlenty, Katherine Harris, Bush and Cheney can go work for Ahmadinejad in Iran as election supression consultants now.

PRESIDENT Obama congratulates SENATOR Franken. Wonderful.

Chuck, Tennessee,
Buh Bye!

Doug, New Jersey

Gee, hypocrite much? Perhaps you might reflect on your own words before projecting such negativity. Just a suggestion.

On a brighter note, I congratulate Senator Franken. President Obama now has more support in the US Senate to pass much-needed legislation for the American people.

Finally republicans face their worst nightmare! An independent thinking democrat who actually knows the facts and can out-debate any of them any time! There isn't a single republican talking point or underhanded tactic Al Franken has not seen and out-argued before! So bring it on Rush Limbaugh zombies! Keep parroting your laughable talking points that even your Supreme Leader RL is too embarrassed to use by now!

Yeah Mississippi Mike, too many Mickey Mouses and Donald Ducks were allowed to vote.

Keep talking about ACORN, what Obama puts on his hamburger, teleprompters, mean 'ol "liberals" (define that please), socialists, government is bad, etc. if you want to. Rush Limbaugh still runs your party. I know that hurts, but it is what it is.

Congrats Al Franken!

"Obama victim": That's a good one...you came up with that name on January 20th, didn't you? You gave Obama about 10 seconds, then said, "he damaged me!!! Wahhhh!!" Funny. Well, we are all Bush victims, that's for certain. But do tell...how has Obama victimized you???? There hasn't even been enough time for him to victimize anyone, you fool!

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.................

Now we have:
1. Peace.
2. Prosperity.
3. No Hatred.
4. No Stupidity

oh great now we have a senator who degrades women franken, and a senator who let his girlfriend drown in a car just to save his own political carrer kennedy, and to show i am not being one sisded a senator mccain who left his sick wife when he found a rich young women

Fools love company. Welcome to the failed Obama era. Two trillion dollars spent to increase the Dow by 170 points. Way to go, Barry!

How appropriate, the clown congradulates the court jester. ALL A SANE MAN CAN DO IS LAUGH!!!

Maybe now the Senate can get down to business. Bipartisanship is way overrated. Hopefully this will spell the official end of Reaganomics and its attendant fiscal/ social irresponsibility.If we wanna advance it costs money, plain and simple.

Does anybody in the USA know where the "Iranian Sea" is? You will do in ten years, if you trust Barack Obama.

Now the Dems have "absolute power". We've seen what happens when one party, especially when led by folks who do NOT have the best interests of the nation in mind, has complete control. The Bush Administration and Republican Congress nearly destroyed the nation. We are still working to hold off our demise, and I would venture to say the current Administration and Congress are doing a fine job, considering. That being said, they must NOT fall into the same trap, and use their power for evil the way it has been done in the past.

When Bushco was unveiled as a fully-corrupt, Anti-American, War-And-Bankruptcy Machine, 70% of the country whined and complained while the "Other 30%" continued their worship of the infiltrators. Let us pray it does not happen again.

To quote Vin Scully-

"One way or another, what a way to end it!"

Filibuster, shimibuster... Joe 'I endorse McCain' Lieberman will likely play a turncoat every chance he gets anyway.

I'm one "lib-bot" who is very glad to hear that Al is now a bona fide Senator. The only hate I have is for neo-cons like Doug who say liberals are hateful and selfish, which is very ironic considering the opposite is true. They are so fearful of "socialism" that they would prefer to see our country go completely down and collapse before they would ever consent to helping their fellow Americans. Their precious tax dollars means more to people like Doug than human life does. So, to him and all the other Republican, conservative, right wingers, I say HAHAHA, we won this one and your day is over. You've just about ruined this country in the last 8 years, but no more! If you don't like it, leave.

Republicans still have a long way to go to make up for the stolen election of 2000, when Bush lost the popular vote by 300,000 people and still got selected as president. Why is America the only western democracy without runoff elections? Why are we the only country where the person winning the most number of votes still loses? And on what grounds do we dare criticize other countries for their elections?

Being that there has only been 7 months since the new adminisitration you have very many right wing folks screaming socialism. 6months people!!!! And the reality is no other right wing commenter has been able to come up with any ideas to dispute the current administration. We didn't get into this mess overnight and we aren't going to get out of it. Oh and before I forget....that last time we had a surplus in this country was under a DEMOCRATIC controlled congress and a DEMOCRATIC president. So let the hatred begin....I am ready for it

WELCOME AL! So glad my vote has been counted! Amy, thanks for the excellent job the last 5 mts. Help is on the way.

"With great power comes great responsibility"

-Spiderman

"Can't blame it on Bush now..."

-Me

yeah baby!!! now we have a fillibuster proof senate...lets pass the laws we have been dying to pass...time to think about the environment...time to let people marry whoever they want as long as both are of legal age...time to nullify all of Bush tax cuts...time to bring the greedy corporations to their knees...time to give amnesty to hard working people...time to make America a better place and the best place...

@Stay Active June 30th, 2009 4:31 pm ET
We want health care! We want clean energy! We want Peace!
We have 60! You better get this done!!!!!
-----------------------
You forgot one: We want to keep more of our own money!
Oh wait! Wrong party, my bad!

For all of you who think that 60 means an easy road for Democrats I have three words for you:

Blue Dog Republicans..uh.. I mean Democrats

It's about time! How much has the GOP spent and forced the Franken campaign to to spend just to affirm what we already knew. The one very nice thing about this whole ordeal is that the Party of No was told NO.

A majority in the House and a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. This is the president's latest "inheritance". No more excuses.

Chuck in TN: June 30th, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Keep in mind that within 15 years, under our current system, the US will have to abandon having a military, having food, housing, appliances, vehicles, and energy, all to pay for healthcare costs which will eclipse the entire GDP. Without drastic changes, the entire U.S. system will collapse as over 100% of our economy will be dedicated to healthcare.

Also, "taxing the rich so that they can't create new jobs"...please tell me nobody above age 5 actually believes this after it has been demostrated for decades to be untrue. We need to stop the practices which, for the past 8 years have encouraged a drastic increase in American job exportation in favor of corporate profits.

Hooray!!

Doug, that's funny, you are describing Repugs, but talk about Democrats. Confused?

@ Mississippi Mike

Stolen? Go back 9 years and speak to me then.

@ D-Nice

I agree. But it's good to have it when republicans get in their mood of saying NO. Now we can over their head.

@ JP: read before you speak, "the Minnesota supreme court declared Franken the winner of all the LEGAL votes cast"

I fault our state governments for not being able to figure out how to register voters, hold an election, and count the votes accurately. There have been over 108 state elections since the Constitution was ratified. At this time, every close election is seen as a stolen one. The facts are that both sides are up to electoral dirty tricks, though I don't think there are many organized conspiracies. I personally believe that GW Bush was not elected president in 2000 and I think OJ killed that woman, but many Americans would say that I am crazy – or worse.

As for Franken, he has caused us a lot of trouble. I hope he impresses us all by being another fair minded Liberal from Minnesota in the Hubert Humphrey style. The great mass of Americans are middle class employees. It is the welfare and prosperity of that group on which the future of our nation is based. We can live comfortably without any more entrepreneurs and egomaniacal CEOs.

Congrats Al. One less Republican in the Senate.

Get the Dems behind Obama and let's get some good legislation passed!

You are officially on the unemployment line Coleman. Welcome, and find your place at the rear.

Please start by eliminating all prescription drug commercials. Every time you see one on TV or hear one on the radio, that's your healthcare costs going up. Every time a pharmeceutical rep takes a doctor out to a $300 dinner, that's your healthcare costs going up. I know its not the only cause, but the pharma corps have to be reined in, and constant TV ads pushing drugs are not helping. Your doctor already knows what to prescribe, you don't need to "ask your doctor about (fill-in-the-blank-scrip)".

The Senate will be a whole lot more fun!

"I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”

Ha! What a sense of humor our President has! Wait, you mean that was spoken in seriousness?

It is a sad day for Minnesotans we will be represented by a clown someone who do not have the experience, the knowledge nor the good judgement to represent as its best our state. I saw him first when voting for Hillary Clinton during the caucus in SLP and was really negatively impressed by the way he conducted himself

Another liar, tax cheat that got more votes in counties than there were people living there. Yes you are a proud member of the Democrats and Barry’s team AL. Enjoy democrats change is coming…

wow a lot of bitter 21percenters out there today.

Our country is in so much trouble. Health care "reform" that will cost trillions, cap and trade that will drive up energy costs, taxing the rich so that they can't create new jobs, the hits will go on and on now that the Dems have full control of the Senate. I think I will be looking for a new country to live in.

Its official, Minnesota has the dumbest people in the country. How can anyone look at this guy and think he is serious. I guess nobody in Minnesota heard his vile rantings on the defunct Air America radio station.

Nov. 2010 can't come fast enough.

@ Doug, New Jersey -

well said. Holds a lot of truth.

So with 60 votes in the Senate, who's going to be the new Boogey Man for Democrats when things don't always go their way? They'll have to come up w/ a new slogan other than ranting about the "party of no" for all their robots to spew. Where's all the "God Bless you, Senator Franken" hosannas that you people are fighting so hard to hold back? hahahaha.

"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Finally....FINALLY, Coleman came to his senses and did the right thing for the people of Minnesota!

And Doug from New Jersey...Bitter much? Curious that, as you're the first to post, you start flinging the accusations before anyone else has even had the opportunity to voice ANY opinion, much less the sort you describe. You must be well versed in that "hate and selfishness" you'd like to attribute to others.

This election made the folks in Florida look like Mensa members. They really needed to have a special election to decide this seat since every aspect of the vote was handled so poorly. Between chain of custody, ballots being added in, ballots being thrown out to each county having different rules and regulations, both sides had very equal claims With the seat being so important it is ignorant to let the courts decide who wins.

That's what I'm talking about. Now maybe we can get something done with or without the help of the obstructionist known as the GOP.

Obama rules! Choke on this Boss Limbaugh. Ha!

To celebrate, tonight I shall watch Al Franken's brilliant performance in "Trading Places".

Go crawl back under your rock, Coleman.

Now is the time to hold Obama to the fire on his tax policy...

Mississippi Mike: "Another election stolen by criminal activities on the part of liberal activists."

Another paranoid right-winger repeating Limbaugh's talking points.

Go off to your birther meeting, Mike. The rest of the country has real work to do.

the best thing that could happen to the g o p....lets see how many democrate senators get there campain pictures with franken,,,, he will become the joke of the senate,,,,and kill the democrate party .....

Too bad Coleman didn't have the class that Gore had. Although if Gore would have been like Coleman we may not have had to suffer eight years of Bush or the problems he has left the country. Hopefully Obama will get agreesive with his agenda.

Did the final count include all the fake votes resulting from ACORN's illegal activities.

The good news here is that liberals can no longer say Buuushh did it. They can no longer blame Buuush and the republicans. They can't blame and insult Palin. She, like all republicans, is a non-factor. It's all on the libs and dems. They own it totally and completely. If the dems are as smart as they claim to be, we expect things to improve very quickly. The clock is now ticking.

Doug, New Jersey – I believe Karma, and it appears that you and your GOP friends got what you deserved.

I love how you say we are hateful and selfish while you are busy name-calling and whining because your guy lost.

@ Doug, New Jersey

Doug, you're sick . . . get help.

"Stay Active June 30th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

We want health care! We want clean energy! We want Peace!"

I think you mean "we want free money, we want free mortgage, we want other people's money!" Idiot.

Hey Doug, New Jersey –

Are you talking about the karma for the lst eight years??

Another fix!

at last.

This is dumb; now look out with all the libs in power our country will go communist instead of social; now all bow down to Obama.

The dems will be able to block filibusters: not because they have 60 votes. Rather because the repubs have Snow & Collins as members in their party...

Mr Coleman did a disservice to the people by dragging the matter to this point, you talk about unpatriotic

Republican Party.....

GONE..... DONE..... EXTINCT.....

Bye Bye

I love it when Constitutional law defeats Republican sleaze and crime.

I hope Franken has the gonads to fight for what he says he believes in.

TCM and MathewDetroit (same person) go take a hunting trip with Dick Cheney, be sure and get Dick to drink a lot of beer....

Good to have you with us, Senator Franken!

About time!

Republicans hate lawyers and activist judges – until they want to use them to overturn elections... ironic isn't it?

Now go out there and fight for us SENATOR FRANKEN! Your vote is needed and maybe you can get some Democrats to grow a spine and run over the "Party of NO" with that 60th vote!

Welcome to the hood! Tax dollars for all of your cronies!

I congratulate him, too!
W00-H00!!!

a socialist talking to a communist................I will let you guess which is which

That goodness for those lost ballots found in the trunk!

Another election stolen by criminal activities on the part of liberal activists.

We want health care! We want clean energy! We want Peace!

We have 60! You better get this done!!!!!

A filibuster-proof majority doesn't mean squat if your party can't agree on anything.

With more Democrats and fewer Republicans in the Senate we'll finally get good legislation like the CARD (Credit Card Accountability Responsibility & Disclosure) Act, which stops predatory and abusive lending practices, and maybe, just maybe, we'll get something close to the House’s Waxman-Markey Bill, which proposes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050 from 2005 levels.

Hurrah!

We're counting on you Senator Franken!

These idiotic lib-bot voters who are guided only by hate and selfishness will get what they deserve, karma is a good enough reason for one to shy away from being a Democrat.