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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