Franken Not Expected In Washington Today

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: Congress

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Those expecting a showdown today on the Senate floor over Al Franken being seated as the next senator from Minnesota are likely to be disappointed.

Franken, a Democrat, yesterday was certified as the winner of the recount battle with incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by just 225 votes. But as we wrote about yesterday, Coleman is expected to bring a lawsuit as soon as today to challenge the results based on several disputed rulings by the state canvassing board.

Several top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, have said they believe Franken now is the winner, but Senate Republicans have threatened to filibuster any attempt to seat him until the legal challenges have been resolved.

But it does not look like that showdown will happen today when the Senate convenes at noon ET. Last night, Reid's spokesman Jim Manley said there would not be an effort to seat Franken today. And Senate Democratic staff on Capitol Hill told CBS News' John Nolen today that they don't expect Franken in Washington today and that he will remain in Minnesota.

However, as CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris reports, there still could be some drama today involving Roland Burris, Illinois Gov. Rod Blogojevich's pick to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate. Senate Democrats have been steadfast in saying they will not seat him, but Burris is in Washington. "I'm presenting myself as the legally appointed senator from the state of Illinois. It is my hope and prayer that they recognize that the appointment is legal," Burris told CBS News' "The Early Show" this morning.

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by nobambam January 8, 2009 11:41 PM EST: Barack Obamather racist quote from Obama...

The point I was making was not that Grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn''t. But she is a typical white person, who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn''t know, you know, there''s a reaction that''s been bred in our experiences that don''t go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that''s just the nature of race in our society.
Barack Obama; Reply to this comment


by nobambam January 8, 2009 11:28 PM EST: One thing about Franken is that he is a lot smarter than Obama!!!

My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you''ll join with me as we try to change it.
Barack Obama; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 January 7, 2009 2:28 AM EST: Another stolen election. It''''s a Christmas miracle! A come from behind victory. Another clown in Washington. Just what this declining country needs.

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Posted by travesty2008 at 11:36 AM : Jan 06, 2009
**********************************

I suppose you would be happy with another Bush in Washington, or a few more Republicans. Please.; Reply to this comment


by standlee5 January 7, 2009 2:14 AM EST: Maybe Tina Fey should run for the next Senate seat or get appointed by some Governor. Tina the hater ought to be let in to the Senate. God dammmm it she deserves it.; Reply to this comment


by standlee5 January 7, 2009 2:12 AM EST: So is Franken going to have a hotline to SNL to feed them all the latest so they can go on attack mode every Saturday insuring obama''s success.; Reply to this comment


by standlee5 January 7, 2009 2:11 AM EST: He probably had to go to NYC to tape SNL first. He and Tina (I hate Palin) Fey probably had to do a bit of "work".; Reply to this comment


by allmymarbles January 6, 2009 8:33 PM EST: The Democrats should not harm their favorable public opinion by getting involved in the fruitless rejection of Burris. There is nothing wrong with burris per se, and if they want his cooperation in the future they should treat him with respect. He will be the senator, whether Reid likes it or not. A little graciousness is in order.; Reply to this comment


by idnnsg January 6, 2009 4:32 PM EST: "LooneyLeft", this is not the first time you have repeated those lies about ACORN''s "massive voter fraud efforts that helped the marxist drug addict steal the election". Give it a rest!

1. ACORN did NOT commit voter fraud. People that ACORN hired to get signatures defrauded ACORN! ACORN was required BY LAW to turn in ALL the voter registrations they received, and ACORN notified the authorities of the suspected fake names. SO: there was no voter fraud by ACORN!

2. Obama is NOT a marxist. You are an effing imbecile if you think he is.

3. There is NO EVIDENCE that Obama stole anything.

The best course of action for you, "LooneyLeft", is to just **** because every thing you write makes it clear that YOU are the lunatic.; Reply to this comment


by river94 January 6, 2009 3:32 PM EST: Don''t you just love sour grapes.

The only crime in this election is that more Democrats did not win.

But there is 2010.; Reply to this comment


by spiritwalk January 6, 2009 3:08 PM EST: Another stolen election..
Posted by travesty2008
..............................
Better a stolen senate seat in Minnesota than sold senate seats in NY and Ill.
At least with Franken we have the illusion that voters got to decide.
With NY and Ill we have no illusion. Those seats were not stolen they were up for sale to the highest bidder. The only difference is that Blogo wanted his "contribution" to be paid directly to him and Paterson is going to get his payment laundered through "contributions" to the party.; Reply to this comment