Minn. Senate Race Tightens In Recount

With 66 Percent Of Ballots Re-Examined GOP Incumbent Leads By 167 Votes, But Challenges Remain

(CBS/AP)  The weekend isn't bringing any respite in the Minnesota Senate recount.

Ballots in the ultra-close race between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken were counted in at least three counties Saturday. While Coleman's razor-thin margin over Franken has narrowed since the recont began, it grew slightly in Saturday's count, from 115 to 167 votes.

About 73 percent of precincts have reported complete results to the secretary of state, with only a few dozen counties remaining. As of Saturday night, about 66 percent of the estimated 2.9 million ballots had gotten a second look.

Coleman entered the recount with a 215-vote edge over Franken. That lead has dropped to 167 votes when comparing totals in precincts where the new count is complete. But the figure doesn't include ballot challenges, which have caused vote tallies for both men to drop.

There have been 1,893 challenges between the campaigns, some could be withdrawn before the Canvassing Board's Dec. 16 meeting.

Officials for Coleman and Franken said Friday they'll review the hundreds of challenges they've made so far in their Senate race recount - and withdraw some - before the state Canvassing Board meets next month to consider them. Still, both campaigns introduced hundreds of new challenges Saturday.

Minnesota's Senate battle is one of two that are unresolved, with Georgia's headed for a Dec. 2 run-off. If Democrats win both, they would have a 60 seat majority in the Senate.

The mounting pile of challenged ballots is becoming a significant factor in the overtime Senate race. It has nibbled into the vote totals of Coleman and Franken compared with the precinct-by-precinct counts on Nov. 4.

The comparison is made possible because counties are reporting recount numbers that compare directly with their precincts' Nov. 4 results.

However, those numbers are expected to shift daily until the counties complete their work.

And the final outcome will likely rest on the 1,893 ballot challenges filed by the two campaigns, due to be taken up by a special canvassing board Dec. 16.

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See results from the Minnesota Secretary of State's Web Site.

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At dueling news conferences Friday, both campaigns accused the other of overzealous challenges. They held up examples of ballots that have an obvious mark for their candidate and no other disqualifying attributes.

Marc Elias, the lead Franken lawyer, ran through a stack of 10 photocopied ballots from Fillmore County, where Coleman volunteers lodged 27 challenges. Some that included Franken votes on the same ballot as a presidential vote for Republican John McCain were challenged on the basis of "voter intent."

"It must be heartbreaking for the people down there that there are people who voted for John McCain who didn't also want to vote for Norm Coleman," Elias said.

Hours later, Coleman campaign manager Cullen Sheehan addressed reporters in a room where the walls were plastered with more than 50 copied challenged ballots from Meeker County that they called frivolous. Most had Coleman's oval clearly filled in but were flagged anyway.

Sheehan accused Franken's volunteers of making excessive challenges to whittle away the 215-vote lead Coleman held going into the recount. Challenged ballots don't figure into each candidate's vote total as results are reported daily by the secretary of state.

"They need to show from the public perspective that they are gaining momentum and it is not reality," Sheehan said. "It's simply that they're challenging more ballots."

Through Saturday, Franken volunteers had challenged 945 ballots; Coleman volunteers had challenged 948.

Sheehan and Elias said there have been no formal discussions between the campaigns about steps that could be taken to reduce the pile of disputed ballots that will go to the five-member Canvassing Board for final rulings. But both said they anticipated weak challenges would be pulled by then.

[likeitis5050]

They should disqualify anyone who benefits from ACORN...problem solved. Then ban ACORN and everyone listed in the lousy organization from ever working on another political agenda. Put tracers on them...make them wear ankle GPS devices...implant tracking devices...what ever it takes. This group is a bigger risk to National Security and the entire democratic process than OBL!!! And the fact the Democrats are fine with them should be the biggest tip off!

[hennighg]

How funny. Franken must have run just to have this happen! Pulling for him, but he is just a comedian who decided that his own jokes made him qualified. Let Bill Mahr decide this one!

[idnnsg]

likeitis5050, you have been terribly mislead by the republican hate factory. ACORN is not the problem. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with "National Security" and it did not do any harm to "the entire democratic process".

BTW, re.****, McCain was completely happy with ACORN when he appeared at one of their events as the featured speaker. At that event, McCain said, "What makes America special is what''s in this room tonight"! So, if "the fact the Democrats are fine with them" is somehow bad, what does it mean that McCain is "fine with them" too?

You are just a brainwashed id.iot, likeitis5050! Every time you come out to play, you make yourself look like a bigger fool. Do yourself a favor and crawl back into your little hidey hole where you belong, why don''t you?

[pvperson]

I like your ideas likeitis5050, but I think you''ve got the wrong group. The ankle devices should be made a requirement for any moron that donated to the GOP or republican politician. We could get the donor lists from the RNC and use it to insure that no neo-con is ever allowed into places they could cause harm, such as the United States.

[cecil92]

Franken is a fitting representative for the vacuous left. It would be like witnessing the incarnation of millions of clenched teeth, crimson-red neck-vein popping hysteria, vile and vicious arm pumping nincompoops. And all that in one goofy non sequiter with legs.

[cecil92]

PS
sequitur; just to take away from the usual drivel on the left

[doc5467]

Judging from the quality of both verbal expression and mental ability, this site must have a requirement that posters be no older than twelve.

[thickredhair]

challenged on ''voter intent'' really???? just because someone choose not to vote on party lines, what dumbasses

[hatesthecolt]

You know you''re in texas when your momma calls you to fix a flat tire... on her house.

[johncarl54]

these comments are devoid of anything other than anger. let us proceed with the recount and see who won, and then examine the people doing the recount have fervent beliefs on either side. that was not done in florida or chicago. money there manipulated the vote. two elections stolen, and the country the worst for it. some of these comments sound like they come from skin heads. i wonder how long it will take for the polarization of the bush/chaney years to fade away. this " i''m a uniter not a divider" lie should live in infamy.

[togeika]

We have an honest Secretary of State and good election officers. If it were the same in Florida in 2000 and/or Ohio in 2004, we would have never seen the likes of the "W" in office and no Iraq debacle.

[rohink-2009]

singinrich Since you are so adept at catching mispellings would you mind correcting DJ IL on his spelling or grammar?

Can''t come up with a name of your own? I see you''re still using that tired screen name.

[tocnwth]

I just hope they make an HONEST EFFORT and work to really find out the true winner. Regardless of which one won, it should not be a grab or fraud, or who can steal the election, we had one of those and one is plenty for this country, you see what it did for our citizens, our relationship with other countries, the massive national debt, and the economy.

[jamshied]

I DON''T KNOW ABOUT MINNESOTA POLITICS. BUT I THINK THAT IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PREVIOUS CHEATING, IN COUNTING AND REPORTING THE VOTES, THE OUTCOME OF THIS RECOUNT IS JUST UNPREDICTABLE. 115 VOTES OUT OF NEARLY 3,000,000. ? IT WOULD BE NO BETTER THATN TOSSING A COIN UP.
IN MY OPINION, PEOPLE WHO GET ELECTED LIKE THIS, HAVE NO CREDIBILITY. THAT IS HOW GW BUSH GOT ELECTED. EVEN MOST AMERICANS WHO VOTED 1N 2000 , DID NOT WANT HIM. THE SECOND TIME AROUND HE ALSO HARDLY WON BY CHEATINGS IN OHIO AN FLORIDA, AGAIN. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TIS MESS.

[cdfoxtrot5]

The Sweaty Panic displayed by the Reich Wingnuts over these last 2 races, which would give Democrats a Filibuster-Proof Super Majority, is hilaaaaaaarious.
The Neocon Nazis will hereafter be relegated to a Kiddie-Table in the Corner, where they''''ll only be called on in the event some Democrat needs a cup of Coffee or a Danish......LMMFAO

Posted by singinrich


LOL.
Let''s hope the Dems. get both seats.

[yourpointis]

You know you''''re in texas when your momma calls you to fix a flat tire... on her house.

Posted by hatesthecolt at 08:24 PM : Nov 22, 2008

haha!!! Wow, and I was wrong all this time...I thought it was the trailers from FEMA in New Orleans!!! :)

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

All voters deserve to have their ballots counted, and none should be tossed unless there is overt evidence of fraud.

The MN Secretary of State needs to step up to the plate and make sure that all votes count, because they do.

[antoniof123]

You know if Franken the right will go nuts they can''t stand it that the Democrats have picked up so many seats.

But you know what the voters warned them in 2006 and they still think it was a fluke. Any bets on them not figuring it out by 2010 or 2012.

[whitecat151]

Stevens was cheated?

A liar and a cheat Mr. Stevens is... and you seemingly seem to disregard the rule "what goes around, comes around"

You are a silly person

WC

[netbs9]

Posted by mr22587 at 11:17 PM : Nov 22, 2008


Quack, quack

[netbs9]

Don''''t worry, Minnesota ACORN people will pull some more votes out of the back seat of their cars from the people at the mental institutions

Posted by Rowdydfw at 11:38 PM : Nov 22, 2008

If you can vote anyone can vote it''s that simple

[netbs9]

Posted by Rowdydfw at 11:38 PM : Nov 22, 2008

I hear you''re warming up for your appearance on Springer ey Rowdy

Time to move to another board

As long as Rowdy and Mr22587 are posting that''s one two many nuts on this forum

[itdfactsu]

DJ , You can''''t be happy with the people Obama has picked. CHANGE ???




Posted by mr22587 at 11:44 PM : Nov 22, 2008


Be honest Mr22587, nothing Obama does or doesn%u2019t do will bring a smile to your face. You%u2019re not a happy person your constant attacks against Obama and Democrats is narrowing your view of the world you%u2019re living in the GOP fog of delusions and that deprives you of joy life.

[itdfactsu]

Obama can do no wrong.


Posted by mr22587 at 12:01 AM : Nov 23, 2008

Wow didn''t take you long to do a 180

Maybe in your opinion but I''m not mine

[gramto8]

Rowdy,

All you are proving is that ACORN is about the only group that is actively attempting to get more people registered to vote. Just because some of the people working for them are jerks and screw them over so they can get paid for doing nothing doesn''t mean that ACORN is bad. Also, ACORN isn''t allowed to change or throw away any of the cards that they collect. They are required by almost all of the states BY LAW to turn the cards in. If they tried to pull the ones they know to be fraudulent, they would be in deep fecal material.

[gramto8]

Rowdy,

I just have to ask you.... are your eyes brown? You are so full of it, they must be!

[andor3]

"Barack Obama is running as fast and as far away from his association with the radical group ACORN as he can, but he can %u2019t hide from the facts of his close relationship with the organization."

This line of posts seems to be another example of the old lawyer adage: "if the facts are not on your side, then make up a good lie!" Is Obama also running from the Martians?

[CBSTV]

I feel bad for whoever does not prevail in this race. For a long while, that person will ponder how they could have campaigned differently to switch a relatively few votes in their favor.

[armydad3]

I hope the wonderful people of Minnesota have not fallen for the left wings games. Franken is not only an idiot, he is also as anti-America as they come. He is the definition of a weasel. He would bring terrible shame to Minnesota without blinking an eye.
I hope for the sake of Minnesota''s credibility, Coleman wins.
armydad
Texas

[blitzder]

While growing up in Chicago during the 60s and 70s, "community organizer" was another word for Communist. desertmaven 10/07/08
-----------------------------------

GOD *** these right wing yahoo''s, as always divisive and stupid, if they don''t agree with someone they label him commie/socialist/leftie. *** these *** heads.

Its due to these yahoo''s that Obama won with a campaign on unity. When will they ever learn, were not the last 8 years of divisiveness enough to ruin this country. And they are still at it.

Right wing GARBAGE HEADS shut the f*ck up.YOU LOST GET USED TO IT.

''THE ONLY LESSON OF HISTORY,IS THAT WE DON LEARN FROM THE LESSONS OF HISTORY.'' Bertrand Russell

[Batmensch]

armydad:

"Franken is not only an idiot, he is also as anti-America as they come."

Where do you get this? Franken is an award-winning writer for television, movies and print, and is in fact a mathematics whiz. Where do you get "idiot" out of that? And anti-american? He says outright he loves America in his book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them". In America we are innocent until proven guilty. PROOVE he''s anti-american.

"He is the definition of a weasel."
He''s obviously not the definition of the mammal weasel, so he must be the other definition, someone who accomplishes what he wants to accomplish through dubious means. Have an example?

"He would bring terrible shame to Minnesota without blinking an eye."

Why? What do you think he would do? Maybe bring some actual oversight on a Senate committee (which his opponent is infamous for not doing, especially about the war)?

"I hope for the sake of Minnesota''''s credibility, Coleman wins."

And by the way, Norm Coleman told the press he was "halting his campaign" for a time out of respect for the death of Paul Wellstone, who he had been running against, and then went on every television talk show he could get on to explain that he "wasn''t campaigning". He''s a liar, a lazy senator (see above), corrupt (see the apartment scandal, among others) and a ****** liar to boot. You are comparing THAT to Franken? You are deluded.

[Batmensch]

armydad:

"Franken is not only an idiot, he is also as anti-America as they come."

Where do you get this? Franken is an award-winning writer for television, movies and print, and is in fact a mathematics whiz. Where do you get "idiot" out of that? And anti-american? He says outright he loves America in his book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them". In America we are innocent until proven guilty. PROOVE he''s anti-american.

"He is the definition of a weasel."
He''s obviously not the definition of the mammal weasel, so he must be the other definition, someone who accomplishes what he wants to accomplish through dubious means. Have an example?

"He would bring terrible shame to Minnesota without blinking an eye."

Why? What do you think he would do? Maybe bring some actual oversight on a Senate committee (which his opponent is infamous for not doing, especially about the war)?

"I hope for the sake of Minnesota''''s credibility, Coleman wins."

And by the way, Norm Coleman told the press he was "halting his campaign" for a time out of respect for the death of Paul Wellstone, who he had been running against, and then went on every television talk show he could get on to explain that he "wasn''t campaigning". He''s a liar, a lazy senator (see above), corrupt (see the apartment scandal, among others) and a ****** liar to boot. You are comparing THAT to Franken? You are deluded.

[Batmensch]

armydad:

"Franken is not only an idiot, he is also as anti-America as they come."

Where do you get this? Franken is an award-winning writer for television, movies and print, and is in fact a mathematics whiz. Where do you get "idiot" out of that? And anti-american? He says outright he loves America in his book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them". In America we are innocent until proven guilty. PROOVE he''s anti-american.

"He is the definition of a weasel."
He''s obviously not the definition of the mammal weasel, so he must be the other definition, someone who accomplishes what he wants to accomplish through dubious means. Have an example?

"He would bring terrible shame to Minnesota without blinking an eye."

Why? What do you think he would do? Maybe bring some actual oversight on a Senate committee (which his opponent is infamous for not doing, especially about the war)?

"I hope for the sake of Minnesota''''s credibility, Coleman wins."

And by the way, Norm Coleman told the press he was "halting his campaign" for a time out of respect for the death of Paul Wellstone, who he had been running against, and then went on every television talk show he could get on to explain that he "wasn''t campaigning". He''s a liar, a lazy senator (see above), corrupt (see the apartment scandal, among others) and a ****** liar to boot. You are comparing THAT to Franken? You are deluded.

[Batmensch]

"They should disqualify anyone who benefits from ACORN...problem solved. Then ban ACORN and everyone listed in the lousy organization from ever working on another political agenda. Put tracers on them...make them wear ankle GPS devices...implant tracking devices...what ever it takes. This group is a bigger risk to National Security and the entire democratic process than OBL!!! And the fact the Democrats are fine with them should be the biggest tip off!"

You don''t understand what ACORN is and does. Ignorance is unbecoming.

[stick1772]

You don''''t understand what ACORN is and does. Ignorance is unbecoming.


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

Posted by Batmensch at 06:07 AM : Nov 23, 2008

oh we know what ACORN does and is and they should be put out to pasture as soon as possible.

[whitewolf60]

Oh, the repooplicans are just crying the blues because they lost....

The crumbling republican party is trying to hold onto anything they can get. I would not be surprise to see them lose Minnesota and Georgia, they are going the way of the dinosaurs. They must hold a party and thank Bush for all their woes.

[grumpas]

It isn''t remotely odd in my state for someone to vote for a Democrat for President and then vote a vile Republican for Congress. Some guy wrote a letter to the editor of our local newspaper wondering why his relatives were doing that? It seemed counterproductive to him. But, people do it all the time. There is no rhyme or reason to the way some people vote.

[irmcvet97]

Pro''''bly because the democrat that was running against the republican was a total snake and a commie...

That''''s mainly why so many of us voted for McCain/Palin, you know...

We''''d rather have somebody in the White House we can trust. That simple enough for ya?

Posted by Rowdydfw at 09:22 AM : Nov 23, 2008

I ask all of you who read these boards, has there EVER been a more disgusting Human that this loser? It''s rough on all who loose in a Democracy but TRUE American''s put that away after an election and move on. Not these Hood and Sheet types I''m afraid. It''s sad this nation must be embarrassed by them given our son''s and daughters are dying trying to bring what we have to people who are so much like her. Very sad indeed.

[irmcvet97]

oh we know what ACORN does and is and they should be put out to pasture as soon as possible.

Posted by stick1772 at 06:44 AM : Nov 23, 2008


Well EXPLAIN it to us for goodness sake! I''ve seen nothing but an organization that tries to get people involved in the electoral process.... Maybe if you are a fascist they are bad people, because Fascist think they are superior, but Real American''s always feel good about having MORE people involved.

[amrt5016]

Actually it was very little less than half, and I voted for the the candidates I could trust to hold the best intersts of this country, and because I don''''t trust your Arabic/Muslim commie president, period.
Posted by Rowdydfw at 10:53 AM : Nov 23, 2008

What a sore loser. Get over it. Have a life, for a change.

[chitown4716]

Actually it was very little less than half, and I voted for the the candidates I could trust to hold the best intersts of this country, and because I don''''t trust your Arabic/Muslim commie president, period.


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Posted by Rowdydfw

LMAO!!!!...This is GREAT!!!!....I hope youre as MISERABLE as you SOUND!!!!

THATS RIGHT....YOUR CANDIDATE LOST!!!!....HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

You

[juthaji]

the bail out is 25000 to 50000 per employee if the 3s have 500,000 or 1000000 employees in their book. now dont count the rest. these big 3s are not going to show a penny to rest except their self.
watch it. so far no body has talked about who gets help. i am in wrong coloum but i had to write it

[chitown4716]

Yeah, he did...and you got an Arabic/Muslim pinko commie for a president....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAH
HAAAHAHAHA!


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

Posted by Rowdydfw

Well, President Obama will be YOUR Commander and Chief too, ELEPHANT GIRL!!!!....LMAO!!!...Enjoy the next 4 years!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

[chitown4716]

When he sat in the front pew seat in Rev. Wrong''''s sermons listening to his trash against white Americans, nodding his head and going ''''AMEN! PRAISE US! RIGHT ON, BROTHA''''S!!!!


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

Posted by Rowdydfw

REHASH....Do you have anything new????....You have been promoting the same garbage for months now and the only thing you have received for your troubles is DEFEAT!!! YOU DO KNOW OBAMA DEFEATED MCCAIN AND OBAMA WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT, RIGHT???

So you should have some NEW ATTACK MATERIAL, post Obamas landslide electorial victory and Republicans embarrassing and demoralizing defeat....

GET SOME NEW MATERIAL....its gonna be a LONG FOUR YEARS OF MISERY FOR YOU...MY FRIEND.....

[chitown4716]

Rowdy???

Why did you ''CUT N RUN''????

[element51]

This is for those of you on here who are butting heads with Rowdy. Please allow me to make an observation. I have betted heads with her for over a year...back to when she was a rabid Clinton supporter, and I can tell you from experience that you are wasting your time and letting your emotions over rule your better judgement. This woman is certifiable and there is no way to have a rational discussion with her. I stopped responding and here is what I suggest to you all. Ignore her! When you see her posts just DO NOT respond to them. She gets off on the attention and as long as you feed her she will not shut up. If we all ignore her, she will eventually get bored and go away. I strongly believe that everyone should have the right to post their thoughts but that does not include constant attacks on the president elect or those who post opposite opinions of her. Let her post, she has that right, but we don''t have to egg her on. The choice is yours. I''m just offering a solution and I for one will not ever respond directly to her again.

[misha128-2009]

element51 - a very reasonable position.

[W.W. Terry]

What a cliff hanger! Will the clown whoops I meant comedian Franken be able to steal this close election? If he loses will he whine and moan and groan? Stay tuned to "Stealing An Election." caio! wwterry

[phillysage]

It is the Republicans who might be stealing this election---they have more lawyers and volunteers "overseeing" the counting---the Governor is Republican also.