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January 6, 2009 10:06 AM

Franken Not Expected In Washington Today

Posted by Kevin Hechtkopf
(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.
Tags:
al franken ,
norm coleman ,
senate ,
minnesota
Topics:
Senate
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Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
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.


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

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
by rafterman1 January 6, 2009 2:54 PM EST
Al Franken was certified the winner. The Repubs can''t legally filibuster him (not that legality ever stopped Repubs).
Reply to this comment
by travesty2008 January 6, 2009 2:36 PM EST
Another stolen election. It''s a Christmas miracle! A come from behind victory. Another clown in Washington. Just what this declining country needs.
Reply to this comment
by antoniof123 January 6, 2009 2:09 PM EST
Oh no the wing nuts are in true fear Franken is going to be a Senator and these nut cases are frothing at the mouth.

Hey morons you lost it is just the way it is get used to it.

Wow, doesn''t that sound familar way back in 2000 and 2004 when the very same thing happened for the wacko wing nut reactionaries. But they told us all to just suck it up. Now they are sore losers with the game played out against them.

Too bad not that I really like Franken but it is still funny to see the old saying come true. What comes around goes around.
Reply to this comment
by xlib January 6, 2009 1:57 PM EST
condumbistan-nice racists remarks there fella. As for "white trash", want to comment on harry blocking the ONLY black senator, burris?? Wanna comment.
Racist, elitist, no nothing lib.
Reply to this comment
by xlib January 6, 2009 1:55 PM EST
Oh, almost forgot,did franken ever repay the money he ripped off when running air america?? I seem to remember some to do about swindling money from a fund while running the station out of new york city. Just asking.
Reply to this comment
by xlib January 6, 2009 1:54 PM EST
Now, I can''t remember, is this guys alia stuart smiley or stuart smalley??
I couldn''t watch him for long, just way to filthy for me. Then again, I''m not as sophisticated as liberals are. I got his humor but it was always laced with filth. But hey, he should fit in with the dem congress just fine.
Reply to this comment
by gophwy71 January 6, 2009 1:35 PM EST
The Democrats are such crooks!

Man, Congress needs renovated bad.
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See all 17 Comments

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