New Court Ruling Favors Al Franken

D_Ireonsyd_Colonrinse

Experimental Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Posts
1,511
Media
0
Likes
7
Points
123
Ok. Here's the score.

The democrats have an overwhelming majority in the House. That's why no republican support is needed to pass House legislation.

The Senate is a little trickier. 60 votes are needed for a fillibuster-proof majority. The closer you get to that magic number, the less hassles in passing legislation. Currently the democrats hold 56 seats (out of 100) with 2 "independents" that always vote with the dems, so, in effect 58 votes (one is Joe Lieberman of Connecticut who is only conservative on war issues; the other is "independent" Bernie Sanders of Vermont who is a self-described "democratic socialist", and to the left of most lefties).


That's why the Al Franken/Norm Coleman Minnesota Senate recount is so crucial.


From Politco, March 31, 2009:


Court Ruling Favors Franken


After seven weeks of reviewing a hand recount, millions spent on legal fees and a tough legal ruling Tuesday afternoon, Norm Coleman still looks like the loser in the Minnesota Senate race.

But even as Democrat Al Franken’s campaign celebrated a three-judge panel’s decision to put at most 400 ballots back in play, the Coleman camp is still promising to take its case to the Minnesota Supreme Court. And it’s not ruling out an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or filing a new lawsuit in federal district court.

--------------------

From ABC News:


Coleman Suffers Legal Blow in Minnesota Senate Contest

In a late afternoon ruling, a three-judge panel in Minnesota delivered a severe blow to Republican Norm Coleman's attempts to return to the United States Senate in the ongoing recount there.

The panel ruled that less (and perhaps a lot less) than 400 absentee ballots should be opened and recounted. That would almost certainly not be enough for Coleman to pick up enough votes to win. After the official state recount, Franken had a 225 vote lead.

--------------------


Everyone understand that? Al Franken has a legal 225 vote lead right now. And out of the disputed remaining absentee ballots, the court ruling today will allow less than 400 to be counted, making it almost impossible for Coleman to win (Coleman would have to pick up 313 votes out of that 400 -- while all Franken needs is 88).


Coleman is now saying he's probably going to appeal the order to the state Supreme Court. And if he loses before the state court, Coleman would have the option of appealing directly to the U.S. Supreme Court — or filing a brand-new suit in a federal district court. Which could keep this race in limbo for a very long time.

All the math is against Coleman! Drop out already! Stop with the endless appeals. Be a man and bow out gracefully.
 
Last edited:

midlifebear

Expert Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2007
Posts
5,789
Media
0
Likes
178
Points
133
Location
Nevada, Buenos Aires, and Barçelona
Sexuality
60% Gay, 40% Straight
Gender
Male
Reagan can take the reigns of the Presidency and nap through most of the week as Nancy consults her astrologer/soothsayer. Al Franken, a successful comic and political commentator who marginally won the popular vote is not allowed to play because Norm Coleman is a shit head. I think I've got it. By George, I think I've got it. The complain in St. Paul remains with Norm Coleman.

Sounds like Ewetaw politics where I'm still convinced every time I voted, the ballot boxes from my area (Capital Hill and the Avenues) were summarily dumped in the Great Salt Lake by Orrin Hatch operatives.
 

D_Ireonsyd_Colonrinse

Experimental Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Posts
1,511
Media
0
Likes
7
Points
123
Update:

Norm Coleman was not content with a Court's decision handing Franken the U.S. Senate victory. So he appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court which is hearing arguments today.

At Politico.com, Ben Smith posted an eyewitness account of this morning's hearings:


"There's no question that Coleman's side got much tougher question than Franken's side, and based upon oral argument I would not be surprised to see a unanimous decision in favor of Franken in a relatively short time frame (within two weeks — maybe sooner). I counted at least three of the five Justices who were much more willing to accept Franken's arguments than Coleman's arguments, and who asked Coleman's side much more difficult questions."

--------------------

So. If Franken wins this (and all indications are he will), he will be the 60th (fillibuster-proof) democratic vote in the Senate, now that Arlen Specter has flipped.

Just in time for the Sotomayor hearings.

The only thing that can tie this up is Norm Coleman not accepting a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling and appealing again to the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
Last edited:

sparky11point5

Sexy Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2005
Posts
471
Media
0
Likes
85
Points
173
Location
Boston
Sexuality
99% Straight, 1% Gay
Gender
Male
Ah Will, if it were ever that easy in the Democratic Party. The DINOs and weak-kneed moderates mean its really more like 45 (Corporate Democrats) - 15 (Republican-envy Dems) - 2- (Lincoln Republicans) - 38 (Wingnuts).
 

jason_els

<img border="0" src="/images/badges/gold_member.gi
Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Posts
10,228
Media
0
Likes
163
Points
193
Location
Warwick, NY, USA
Sexuality
90% Gay, 10% Straight
Gender
Male
I am so tired of this! The people of Minnesota are getting screwed out of their representation by this entire process. It's been over half a year! There needs to be a better system in place for this kind of disaster.
 

Zeuhl34

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Posts
2,027
Media
19
Likes
145
Points
208
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
So. If Franken wins this (and all indications are he will), he will be the 60th (fillibuster-proof) democratic vote in the Senate, now that Arlen Specter has flipped.

Just in time for the Sotomayor hearings.

The only thing that can tie this up is Norm Coleman not accepting a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling and appealing again to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Well, they don't really need Franken to block a potential Sotomayor filibuster, as several Republicans have pledged to back her.
 

Cowabanga

Experimental Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Nov 24, 2005
Posts
354
Media
7
Likes
10
Points
263
Location
northwest
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
I think its the health care proposal they are worried about. People have been revolting at almost every state for a single payer option! Obama have pledge to have a new national health care system. This has been an issue that Franken himself feels strongly about and want to participate in.
 

B_Nick8

Cherished Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Posts
11,402
Media
0
Likes
301
Points
208
Location
New York City, by way of Marblehead, Boston and Ge
Sexuality
80% Gay, 20% Straight
Gender
Male
I am so tired of this! The people of Minnesota are getting screwed out of their representation by this entire process. It's been over half a year! There needs to be a better system in place for this kind of disaster.

Disaster is right. If Coleman genuinely cared about the people of his state he'd put aside his sour grapes and find another way to serve them until the next election.
 

javyn

Experimental Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Posts
1,015
Media
4
Likes
14
Points
123
A Republican actually caring about the people he represents?! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

Disaster is right. If Coleman genuinely cared about the people of his state he'd put aside his sour grapes and find another way to serve them until the next election.
 

swordfishME

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2006
Posts
960
Media
0
Likes
135
Points
263
Location
DFW Texas
Sexuality
80% Gay, 20% Straight
Gender
Male
Disaster is right. If Coleman genuinely cared about the people of his state he'd put aside his sour grapes and find another way to serve them until the next election.

Even Norm Coleman has to realize at this point that barring a miracle to turn events in his favor, he has no career left in politics.
 

FuzzyKen

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Posts
2,045
Media
0
Likes
100
Points
193
Gender
Male
Now we are really looking at something interesting. Let's see. if we don't like the guy who legitimately won an election we can tie him up again and again. If we tie up the election vote count long enough, maybe we can stretch legal challenges to one election for the full term the guy would have served. That way the guy never gets to take office and do a job. Then the opponent says aat the next election: "He was never there to do his job! We need to replace him!"

 

faceking

Cherished Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2004
Posts
7,426
Media
6
Likes
281
Points
208
Location
Mavs, NOR * CAL
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
I see no problem with the occasional sophomoric contribution, as long as they're kept to a minimum. I only find them annoying when it's almost exclusively what posters say.

It shoulda read "politicians" and not "Republicans". Naive to think Democrats are exempt. Something an un-tenured sophomore would post :biggrin1: