Disaster: With absentee ballots counted, Franken now leads by 225 votes
posted at 8:11 pm on January 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Not surprising, but phenomenally discouraging.
Norm Coleman’s term as a U.S. Senator ended at noon Washington time today, and by evening his hopes of winning a second term had been dealt an expected but serious setback as state officials counted previously rejected absentee ballots in St. Paul.
Democrat Al Franken held an unofficial lead of 225 votes over Coleman, according to a newspaper tally of officials’ count of the absentee ballots. Franken had led unofficially by 49 votes going into the day and gained a net 176 votes from the new ballots…
The outcome Saturday was not a surprise, as the ballots counted came disproportionately from precincts where Franken did well on election day, according to a Star Tribune analysis. But a court challenge to the recount is almost certain to follow a certification from the canvassing board, as Coleman lawyers acknowledged this week.
Coleman will sue, of course, but his odds of winning are hanging by a thread. Exit question: What’s most depressing, the Caroline appointment, the Burris appointment, or this?
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I agree with Rockmom. It wont be long before Franken does something incredibly idiotic, possibly enough to get him removed from the senate. He’s an idiot.
What we need in this country is real election reform. First of all, we need to slash the number of absentee ballots. It used to be you had to have a reason that would make it very difficult for you to get to your local precinct, (physical handicap, etc.) to file an absentee ballot. Then they opened that up to anyone and it logically exploded. Absentee ballots are key to stealing an election. Register 15 new absentee voters at your address, by mailing in a registration card no less, then fill out all the ballots and send them in. Acorn has been doing this for years. No ID is ever shown or requested. Just a small number of people can vote thousands of times like this. We should have a real tamper proof voter registration card that can be swiped when you vote, and keep all the copies of the paper ballots that correspond to your vote so we can recount if neccessary. A computer only ballot system is an invitation to massive fraud. I work IT for a living and I can tell you it is impossible to create a tamper proof system that includes computers on a network.
These problems can be solved but they never will. Just the fact that the dems fight every bill that contains election reform, is an indication of who is stuffing ballot boxes. The thing that is really troubling is that if these people have so little respect for their own country as to steal elections on a regular basis, what kind of governing do you think you’re going to get? These people are rats. They will govern like rats.
Bikerken on January 4, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Don’t worry folks. This idiot will embarrass the state soon enough.
tx2654 on January 4, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Consider the passive condition of modern Sweden the mother state of Minnesota. Both regions have found a religion based not upon the Bible which is considered a useful mythoglogy, but upon what they consider to be hard truth, which is the unwritten bible of political correctness.
It is difficult to convince people they are following a religion, when their religion is being taught as science in their schools, and referred to as science in the churches they attend.
I know I follow Christ on faith. They think they are being scientists when they mass to fight global warming, or when they structure their schools to reduce competition because conpetition has been scientifically proven (in their delusions) to hurt the inner child.
The Vikings were obedient warriors in the days they believed in Thor. Now they are obedient warriors in these days when they worship at the alter of the common good.
Add to that the sad fact that the decadent GOP cannot stomach plain spoken conservatives, and insists on presenting Bob Dole clones as candidates in their attempt to control the nature of the party.
They cannot whup political correctness by presenting poor substitutes for the DEM candidates. The only antidote to the PC slumber is shock therapy
That is why Ventura won. To a degree it is why vulgar Franken won 50 percent give or take a ten thousand or so fraudulent ballots.
This is the symptom of a drugged State looking for help. The opponent was weak, Franken was volcanic, oh well, what the dilly do
entagor on January 4, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Sorry Ken but the reform has already happened. The corrupting of the voter roles and election procedures has been eroded over the last 20 years by the passage of laws and judicial appointments with the full complicity of the “conservative” party. The result is the Democrat Party has a lock on close elections and on the judicial rulings that address any GOP objections.
Of course, there rarely are GOP objections. Like in Coleman’s pathetic campaign the talk is strong, the action weak, the result is failure. The minute this election went to recount any person who’s been paying attention knew what the outcome was going to be.
The lack of any effort by the Bush Justice Dept. to prosecute ACORN for interstate conspiracy in the last election should be enough proof for you. The GOP has been gelded. They lack the will to act against what they perceive to be the popular tide, even to restore integrity to our most precious right.
Conservatives have no recourse in the USA today other than bitching.
rcl on January 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
If he had won either his own state or Clinton’s, or come close enough to steal either, he would have won in 2000. As it was, Gore had the fatal handicap of an honest running mate.
Are you forgetting that in Florida 2000, it was a FOUR party state? And Gore LOST?
2000 was an anomaly, to be sure. But also remember that in Minnesota’s governor’s race, in the three-way split, it was the third-party guy (Ventura) who won.
Terrye on January 4, 2009 at 6:54 AM
sulla on January 4, 2009 at 3:02 PM
As usual, after each election, the MSM draws attention away from vote fraud, those who benefited and participated are eager to “move on” and those who lost are mainly looking to the next chance.
Only a handful remember, and it isn’t enough. It isn’t enough.
Merovign on January 4, 2009 at 3:21 PM
What the heck? Now CNN is saying he won?
Screw him, screw ACORN, and screw Congress. Are people just this blind or naive that they can be led around by the nose?
Ryan Gandy on January 4, 2009 at 5:40 PM
I am amazed that when a Democrat is unhappy with a loss, they can just force a bazillion recounts which result in increased numbers on their side with each recount, including, SURPRISE!!!!, 100s of suddenly discovered “uncounted votes” that, SURPRISE!!!! are all for the Democrat, none for the Republican – and win elections this way, as has taken place in Washington, and elsewhere over the past few years.
What’s wrong with the Republicans?
Can’t they fight back?
Can’t Repubilcans prevent the Democrat-left wing-Fifth Column hordes from stealing elections, engaging in graft, deceit, dishonesty, extortion, and the like, resulting in the stealing of elections from the proper winner, and sticking their thumb into the eye of the voters who voted for the winning – Republican – candidate, voters who get no respect?
What an insult to the voters.
Democrats once again STEAL the election, and that’s a fact.
Once again a nut wins the election, and with Franken as the Democrat/Left wing moonbat, the word “Nut” fits, unless one finds that term degrading and insulting to nuts everywhere – peanuts, walnuts, cashews, etc., by comparing a malicious vindictive, selfish, egotistical, racist, venomous person – Franken, to respectable nuts everywhere.
William2006 on January 4, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Senator Franken (Smalley) the latest wingnut brought to us by the Democrats.
kanda on January 4, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Oh and BTW:
That pic on the thread description does a great job of making him look like an ass (literally.)
Ryan Gandy on January 4, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Congratulations Minnesota…but the next time you want to elect an ‘unconventional’ candidate (see Jesse ‘The Mind’ Ventura) that makes a laughing stock out of you, keep him in your own state…don’t inflict on the rest of the country.
AUINSC on January 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Photographs don’t lie and neither does this one…though my all time favorite is the one they use of Cynthia McKinney…it’s just perfect!
AUINSC on January 4, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Little did we know that Steven Sondheim would be prophetic and now that one of his songs would herald in Al Frankenstien into the Senate. Now instead of POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE , they can truly break in to SEND IN THE CLOWNS. The cold has got to the folks in Minnesota oh wait,I forgot it must be global warming.I agree he is about as stable 2 legged stool.So just think its going to SNL every day. Can’t wait.”Isn’t it rich?”
BHRIO on January 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM
You’re kidding me. You think SNL’s gonna take pot shots at one of their own – a far left nut job AND a douchebag comedian?
Ryan Gandy on January 4, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Not even close. This takes the cake for me.
The only consolation is that Al Franken is still, well … AL FRANKEN…
DPierre on January 4, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Nothing new here…its a recount…the dem wins, always. It is the nature of the fraud. Why play…simply concede and save time and money.
JIMV on January 4, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Sad day for America. MN go back to wherever you came from, we don’t want you in the union any more. Mugabe would likely do better than Franken.
wepeople on January 4, 2009 at 9:24 PM
“Minnesota”. Indian for, “the land of many idiots.”
warriorlawyer on January 4, 2009 at 9:25 PM
wepeople
why don’t you come here and make me leave the Union? My ancestors fought a Civil war to be left alone. I’ll fight in one to destroy all leftards and ignorant Republicans. Long live true Conservatism.
MNDavenotPC on January 4, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I think overall they’re more principled and have enough confidence in their ideas that they don’t feel they have to steal elections. Franken and the rest of the Dems will be exposed soon enough. Obama himself is already starting to look like a joke, and he hasn’t even been inaugurated yet.
ddrintn on January 4, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Yeah, I think the Minnesota bashing is getting out of hand here. Lookit, lots of states in the last election seemed to be going into blue, blue heaven. What’s wrong with NC and VA? I still don’t think the people in Minnesota who voted for Franken can compare with Murtha’s constituents in PA that put him back into office. Talk about stupidity. Face it: most of the country this time around was afflicted with a bad case of stupid.
ddrintn on January 4, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I don’t know why, but for some reason I want the Dems in complete control of their coming disaster.
Arm up people….American Revolution II will be much better than the first.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on January 4, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Sorry, but the dumbasses that vote in this country get what their dumbasses deserve. Enjoy Minnesota. I guess ‘the mind’ didn’t persuade you to separate hollywood and politics.
Sponge on January 4, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Ann Coulter is right, Republicans are weak pansies unable to fight for their beliefs and principals. They will forever be the Loser in every struggle even when their principals are held by a majority of the people. They prefer to be liked than to stand up for their beliefs and would compromise with the devil if it meant less confrontation. The opposite of Christ in the garden. They would never pick up the cup and drink if it meant any unpleasantness. The epitomy of passive aggressive loser psyche you can imagine.
Oh I wait for the conservative movement & conservative party. Wish I had the time and money to start!
Sultry Beauty on January 4, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Yeah, I think the Minnesota bashing is getting out of hand here. Lookit, lots of states in the last election seemed to be going into blue, blue heaven. What’s wrong with NC and VA? I still don’t think the people in Minnesota who voted for Franken can compare with Murtha’s constituents in PA that put him back into office. Talk about stupidity. Face it: most of the country this time around was afflicted with a bad case of stupid.
ddrintn on January 4, 2009 at 10:32 PM
AUINSC on January 5, 2009 at 1:12 AM
I am sorry but Coleman was a joke and now the people elected the biggest joke yet!
grapeknutz on January 5, 2009 at 8:22 AM
The guy is a comedian. What better place for him than Harrys house of comedy? For the next 6 years he’ll be lots of laughs. It’ll liven up the Senate. Schumer and Franken, Franken and Schumer totally interchangable. I can’t wait.
kanda on January 5, 2009 at 8:48 AM
It’s official. The U.S. Senate is a House of Clowns!
budorob on January 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Ah, Minnesota, the same place the movie “Fargo” was based on. No other explanation is needed.
xtremeangler on January 5, 2009 at 9:21 AM
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