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.
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: