Recount Day 238: Coleman quits; Goshdarnit Al Franken's a senator
Well, it's finally over. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled 5-0 today that Democrat Al Franken won the more than 2.9-million vote Senate election there by a landslide 312 votes.
Hours later Republican incumbent Norm Coleman conceded defeat to the former comedian. Coleman said he "will abide by its results" and "now congratulate Al Franken and his victory in this election."
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty has indicated he will sign the official election certificate according to the state's top court decision.
Now, Coleman, the former mayor of St. Paul, can decide on his rumored run to replace Pawlenty in the governor's office next year, while Pawlenty ponders a presidential run in 2012.
Besides bringing an often-blue sense of humor to one of the world's most exclusive clubs, Franken will be the 60th Democratic vote out of 100, preventing the possibility of any Republican filibuster if GOP members could ever agree on such a thing.
And providing that the recent Republican turncoat Arlen Spectervotes with his new-found Democratic BFFs, which he's warned he won't always do. Which explains Rep. Joe Sestak's developing primary challenge back home in Pennsylvania.
And providing that 91-year-old West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd keeps surviving his frequent hospitalizations. As reported by renowned Byrd expert Don Surber here, the longest-serving senator ever was released most recently today after recovering from a staph infection contracted while he was fighting a minor infection..
Texas Sen. John Cornyn,chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said: "I would like to commend both Norm Coleman and Al Franken on a hard-fought campaign. In particular, I would like to be among the first to welcome Al Franken to the United States Senate."
Developing.
-- Andrew Malcolm
Goshdarnit, please click here also to get Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or follow us @latimestot
Photo: Associated Press
I wonder how many "Acorn" fradulent votes Al Franken received; at least 312?
Posted by: shelley schumacher | June 30, 2009 at 02:15 PM
I HOPE YOU PEOPLE IN Minnesota ARE HAPPY THAT THE DEMOCRAT PARTY IN YOUR STATE DECIDED THAT YOUR VOTES DIDNT MATTER AND ESSENTUALLY STOLE THE ELECTION. THEY COUNTED AND DOUBLE COUNTED THOUSANDS OF VOTES AND THREW OUT VOTES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COUNTED.
YOU PEOPLE IN Minnesota DESERVE THIS IDIOT AND I WILL CELEBRATE THE DAY THAT YOUR STATE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY WHEN HE IS DONE WITH IT.
TODAY IS THE DAY I BOYCOTT Minnesota.
I WILL NOT BUY A SINGLE PRODUCT THAT I KNOW IS BUILT THERE.
I WILL NOT VACATION THERE.
I WILL LAUGH AT PEOPLE THAT I MEET THAT COME FROM YOUR STATE.
Minnesota IS OFFICALLY A JOKE TODAY.
I HOPE YOU'RE PROUD.
YOU ELECTED A COMEDIAN TO MAKE SERIOUS LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS THAT AFFECT YOUR FAMILY.
HOW PATHETIC YOU PEOPLE TRUELY ARE.
FOOLS FOOLS FOOLS AND NOW YOU WILL BE LED BY A FOOL.
Posted by: xinunus | June 30, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Congrats to you, Al Franken!! What an election finally for you and for us it's decided. It is a JOYOUS day. 60 votes, the House large Democratic majority AND the White House too. It's a dream come true. I saw you in Boston when you were on Air America. I always learned SO much from you. You were brilliant, articulate and a marvelous voice for the people. I shook your hand then never thinking I was shaking the hand of a future senator. I think you will make a FANTASTIC senator. I could listen to you speak all day! I only wish you had been there sooner but hey this is a wonderful day. Today the Senate eight years from now ....
Best wishes
Posted by: Natalie Rosen | June 30, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Hey, Xinunus,
Please follow the rules: there's a notice at the end of the "Post a Comment" section that says you can't participate in this message board if you are under 13 years of age.
If by some chance you *are* older than thirteen, maybe it's time you asked someone to show you how to turn off the Caps Lock on your keyboard? It's easy to do, and fun!
Good luck with your subtle, nuanced view of the world!
Posted by: timestwo | June 30, 2009 at 03:17 PM
To the righties:
(Nelson from the simpsons laugh): Ha Ha!
I'm sure franken got fewer "fraudulent" votes than George Dubya Bush did in the 2000 election. He won that 5 to 4 right?
Enjoy the next few years!
Posted by: Dave | June 30, 2009 at 03:50 PM
No problem with Ronald Regan, who was also an entertainer or Arnold. But let a Democratic candidate come from the entertainment industry and it's a travesty. Look, comedians are intelligent people too, arguably some of the smartest people IN show business or anywhere else for that matter. Other comedians that would (or would have) make good smart political leaders would be Jay Leno, Bill Cosby and Bob Hope, IMO. If you want to knock Al, find something better than the fact that he is a successful entertainer. It’s not like he’s some dumb clown, like Bush.
Posted by: Anthony | June 30, 2009 at 04:20 PM
It's about time MN got fair representation in the Senate. Anyone who has been following these proceedings know it was as fair as an election was going to get without declaring a new election. Which is not an option by state law. It's just too bad it took so long.
Posted by: anon | June 30, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Sounds like xinunus could use a nights' sleep, no need to screem. Also, you should get a grip; we are entering the reality based period of governing from the WH, good luck and best wishes to all our elected leaders. Barry
Posted by: BRose | June 30, 2009 at 04:38 PM
No one would really want that anonymous, scared person who wrote in capital letters to visit Minnesota at any time! Keep your bile to your self and have a little respect for the time and effort people of both poarties spent in the recount and then followed by a 5-0 decision by the state supreme court. You don't like the decision so you vent bile. Please keep it to your self. Most of us are happy it is over and democracy worked. No bloodshed, no screaming, no capital letters.
Posted by: David Theiler | June 30, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Another piece of Sub-Human garbage joins the Babooma line-up.
By now we have enough Sub-Human garbage, headed by Babooma and the "First Hoe", how much more can the gene-pool get diluted before we all join Babamoo (The Organ Grinder's Monkey) and sink to the bottom after we all kiss any and all Mudslime Ass in sight?
Posted by: P. Nielsen | June 30, 2009 at 05:47 PM
xinunus:
remember arnold schwarzenegger? jesse ventura? RONALD REAGAN? since when did famous people becoming politicians become taboo in your eyes?
at least franken has a harvard education. more than any of those mentioned above can say about themselves.
Posted by: BG | June 30, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Al Franken for President 2016 (so sayeth the ghost of Senator Paul Wellstone)
Posted by: hope | June 30, 2009 at 10:38 PM
To P. Nielsen --
Thank you! For reminding us that the best the Republicans can do is engage in silly, racist name-calling. "Babooma?" "Organ-Grinder Monkey?" That's quite a smart, intelligent and strong take you have on politics! It's that kind of solid strategy that will get the Republicans back in power! Good job!
Posted by: Patcheee | June 30, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Al Franken for President 2016
(so sayeth the ghost of Senator Paul Wellstone)
Posted by: johnlondon | July 01, 2009 at 01:31 AM
Why is it that the left cannot see the double standards? If an election is stolen, it's stolen, regardless of the party that wins.
Congratulations on the continuing failures of our government and the ignorance of the public to accept this.
Posted by: gogglevision | July 20, 2009 at 12:12 PM