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April 23, 2009 11:19 AM

Norm Coleman: Let's Not Rush Things

Posted by Brian Montopoli
(CBS/AP)
Former Senator Norm Coleman, who is appealing his loss to Democrat Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race to the Minnesota Supreme Court, yesterday asked the court not to take up his appeal too quickly.

Coleman wants the case "argued no sooner than mid-May," reports the Star Tribune – two weeks later than Franken would like to see the court take up the case.

As the Trib notes, Coleman's team says it wants the case argued "as expeditiously as possible," but add that their lawyers "must be given enough time to fully develop and consider the issues on appeal."

Franken was declared the winner of the extraordinarily close election following a recount, and the appeal is the latest volley in a protracted court battle over which ballots should and should not be counted.

National Republicans, who benefit from keeping Franken's vote out of the Senate, have called for donations to help Coleman continue his legal fight.

Back in November, Coleman called for Franken to drop out of the race after initial Election Day results showed Coleman with a slight lead over his rival.
Tags:
norm coleman ,
al franken
Topics:
Election 2008
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Add a Comment See all 57 Comments
by abbe91 April 24, 2009 9:55 AM EDT
"(...) There are a number of Democrats who are privately very concerned that this is continuing now well into a month.
Al Gore, at this rate, is going to become -- will be remembered as the Tonya Harding of American presidential history, unwilling to accept the results after we've had a count, a recount, and a selected hand recount in overwhelmingly Democratic areas.
The American people are saying through the surveys: It's time to bring it to a conclusion.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), KENTUCKY
December 4, 2000"

I guess it makes Coleman the Tonya Harding of the Senate History.
Reply to this comment
by bytheway59 April 24, 2009 8:17 AM EDT
To all you demo- gogs who think the Republicans are sore losers, consider this: It was you dems who were screaming bloody murder about disenfranchised voters in Florida during the Gore -Bush election back in 2000.
Now that nearly 6000 voters have been disenfranchised
by not having their ballots counted in the Coleman Franken face-off, I don't hear a peep out of you. To top it off, those 6000 uncounted ballots are mostly absentee ballots from our military overseas which historically favor the Republicans. It doesn't take a rock scientist to figure out why Franken and the rest of the demo-gogs don't want them counted.
Posted by jackbrandon7 at 12:58 PM : Apr 23, 2009


Yes, but in the 2000 presidential race, Gore had half a million more votes, nation wide, than bush.
Reply to this comment
by elz523 April 23, 2009 6:25 PM EDT
To all you demo- gogs who think the Republicans are sore losers, consider this: It was you dems who were screaming bloody murder about disenfranchised voters in Florida during the Gore -Bush election back in 2000.
Now that nearly 6000 voters have been disenfranchised
by not having their ballots counted in the Coleman Franken face-off, I don't hear a peep out of you. To top it off, those 6000 uncounted ballots are mostly absentee ballots from our military overseas which historically favor the Republicans. It doesn't take a rock scientist to figure out why Franken and the rest of the demo-gogs don't want them counted.
Posted by jackbrandon7 at 12:58 PM : Apr 23, 2009

The difference between a Republican and a Democrat? Gore stepped out gracefully even though he could have went on and on like this sore loser Coleman.
Reply to this comment
by ddhsdca_usa April 23, 2009 6:23 PM EDT
Coleman's team says it wants the case argued "as expeditiously as possible," but add that their lawyers "must be given enough time to fully develop and consider the issues on appeal."

---------

Um, shouldn't these "issues" being appealed have ALREADY been developed? Meaning, before filing a court brief you are supposed to have your argument developed. I guess that doesn't apply to the obstructionists in the Republican Party.
Reply to this comment
by aworldview April 23, 2009 6:05 PM EDT
Franken won fair and square, even GOP leaning pundits think Coleman should give it up. The sooner the Minnesota Supreme Court decides the better. This is just more obstruction by the party of NO.
Reply to this comment
by April 23, 2009 5:34 PM EDT
Whats wrong with Minnesota?? If they want a senator why not have a run off election? and settle this mess,its become embarassing for Minnesota.
Posted by sirmarion-2009 at 12:57 PM : Apr 23, 2009

Well, how about a little thing called the rule of law? You don't just change the rules when things get messy.
Reply to this comment
by mommie101 April 23, 2009 4:15 PM EDT
I am convinced that the republicans are mentally ill.
Reply to this comment
by boatdocster April 23, 2009 4:15 PM EDT
Let's see, on election day Norm asks Al to drop out when Norm was just slightly ahead, and within the requirements for a hand recount.

Hand recount has been done twice - they are probably more accurate then a electronic voting machine (except perhaps Florida with their hanging chads), which have been shown all to easy to corrupt with a program on a thumb drive.

Both counts now have Franken ahead. This has been presented to two courts in Minnesota and both have supported the recount totals.

Why do people like Coleman only want to follow the rules when the rules are in their favor? This election happened last October - that's plenty of time for his lawyers to develop their case.

A new election is not an option - that basically would open the door for any candidate to call for a second election when they don't win the first.

Norm should follow his advice - you are behind, two courts have ruled the counts valid - DROP OUT BUDDY!!!
Reply to this comment
by jackbrandon7 April 23, 2009 3:58 PM EDT
To all you demo- gogs who think the Republicans are sore losers, consider this: It was you dems who were screaming bloody murder about disenfranchised voters in Florida during the Gore -Bush election back in 2000.
Now that nearly 6000 voters have been disenfranchised
by not having their ballots counted in the Coleman Franken face-off, I don't hear a peep out of you. To top it off, those 6000 uncounted ballots are mostly absentee ballots from our military overseas which historically favor the Republicans. It doesn't take a rock scientist to figure out why Franken and the rest of the demo-gogs don't want them counted.
Reply to this comment
by sirmarion-2009 April 23, 2009 3:57 PM EDT
Whats wrong with Minnesota?? If they want a senator why not have a run off election? and settle this mess,its become embarassing for Minnesota.
Reply to this comment
by jxknowles April 23, 2009 3:54 PM EDT
Here we go again. The GOP and conservatives wasting valuable taxpayer money and tying up the courts with frivolous lawsuits. Senator Franken's first task, when he gets to Washington D..C,. should be preventing this abuse of the court system by losers like Coleman and Cronym.

It's good to see the GOP flushing their own dollars down the toilet while Independents and Democrats are collaborating en masse to wipe out more GOP seats in the Senate and House.
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage April 23, 2009 3:48 PM EDT
Not only is Mr. Coleman one of politics's all time sore losers but he gives the term partisan politics new meaning as well!

He's also telling all you Minnesotans what he thinks about you, too!

Personally, I wouldn' t care for his message; then, I don't like to be "flipped off", either. Maybe you people do!?

He doesn't care that HE'S denying you your right to representation, he'd be willing to do this for years!

But, YOU should care! If you don't, then you don't deserve any representation any way!
Reply to this comment
by April 23, 2009 3:38 PM EDT
Why are Democrats sooooooo angry?
Posted by tuffone31 at 10:57 AM : Apr 23, 2009

That's just not true. Democrats are hopeful. Sometimes disappointed about certain things, though.
Reply to this comment
by fuzkida April 23, 2009 3:08 PM EDT
I'm so tired of hearing you right-wing dittohead ignoramuses talking about Franken's inexperience in politics. You obviously haven't read any of his books - 'Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot' (for obvious reasons)'Lies - and the lying liars who tell them' and 'The truth - with jokes' While I understand your reluctance to read the writings of this progressive thinker, if you bothered to do so, you would find that his comedian skills pale in comparison to his intellect and political astuteness - not to mention his compassionate heart. I know it is very difficult gfor you so-called 'Christians' to challenge your own lack of Christian compassion when it comes to considering the plight of the average struggling american!
Reply to this comment
by ubrew12 April 23, 2009 3:00 PM EDT
Clearly, a disfunctional government is preferable to the GOP than one functioning as the voters intended.
Reply to this comment
by hiker056 April 23, 2009 2:59 PM EDT
Funny, Norm wants this to drag out for 6 years. Wonder why.
Reply to this comment
by tokio_motel April 23, 2009 2:56 PM EDT
Coleman is a sore loser, along with his Republican party. Coleman might be able to delay the inevitable seating of Franken. But voters will see this and get the impression that the Republicans are anything but whining, incompetent, and stuck in their old failed ideas. I should know firsthand since I was a republican for 3 decades. The people of Minnesota deserve a 2nd senator. Even if Coleman were to somehow win, Coleman will never be releected and the Republicans will continue to be the minority party for at least a decade. I know many ex-republicans like myself who are willing to vote for persons who are not republican. Look at election 2008.
Reply to this comment
by mrsploof April 23, 2009 2:56 PM EDT
Franken should not have been running for that seat in the first place. Why would anyone in their right mind want to vote for a comedian who doesn't have the experience in politics to know what's going on in the world. All he knows is the big screen. We have enough dumbocrats in the house and senate and we don't need another dumbo.
Posted by mariannpepit at 9:25 AM : Apr 23, 2009

Hummm.... can we say REGAN...but that was okay because he was a republican
Reply to this comment
by johnb8888 April 23, 2009 2:55 PM EDT
When Dweeb Pawlenty tries to advance his national ambitions, the citizens of Minnesota won't forget how he stood by silently as Repigs kept the state of Minnesota from having full Congressional representation just to appease New Yawker Coleman's little pissyhissy fit.
Reply to this comment
by trillion1 April 23, 2009 2:49 PM EDT
Can the gop do anything that doesn't make them look like fools?
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