A Modest Proposal for the Coleman-Franken Minnesota Senate Race: Flip a Coin
By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Here we are some three months into the 111th Congress and Minnesota still has only one Senator. Former Sen. Norm Coleman and former comedian Al Franken are still duking it out in court about who won. Originally, Coleman won by 700 votes, but an automatic recount trimmed his win down to a mere 215 votes and a hand recount showed Franken pulling ahead by 225 votes.
There are many more state and possible federal court appeals ahead, or both men could agree to Senate arbitration about who's best qualified. That would be a non-option for Coleman, as Democrats control the Senate and we know which way the body would probably vote.
Franken, a former "Saturday Night Live" comic, entered the Senate race more than two years ago. A third-party candidate's strong showing left Coleman and Franken virtually deadlocked on Election Night, triggering an automatic recount of 2.9 million ballots. …Coleman's trial began in January and his appeal could push the race into May or beyond.
Coleman's lawyers have said their appeal will mostly center on violations of the constitutional guarantee of equal protection, arguing that counties had differing standards in treating absentee ballots.
What about flipping a coin and doing away with this whole protracted mess? Heads, the funniest man wins and tails, the less funny man wins. C'est tout, n'est pas?
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Tags: Minnesota | Al Franken | Norm Coleman
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Reader Comments
Franken elected
The votes have been counted and recounted under existing laws.
The victor must be confirmed as a senator. Anything else is not democracy. To not admit defeat in a free and fair election in the greatest country on earth, is shameful, vindictive and unpatriotic.
GOP contradictions
Funny, in a sad way, that the Republicans are "arguing that counties had differing standards in treating absentee ballots." as a way for Coleman to advance. I guess their "principles" are whatever is needed to benefit them, rather than a consistent set.
If equal standards had been in place in Florida counties in 2000 Al Gore would have been President. Only by exploiting different county standards was GWB able to take the election.
Franken, ACORN and cheating
Just like the 2004 Washington State election, voter fraud is rampant and has destroyed the credibility of the elective process. What is the chance someone would "discover" ballots in the back seat of her car, and THEY WERE ALL FOR FRANKEN? The entire recount has been a FRAUD with total bias counting votes for Franken and not for Coleman!
There should be another election, election officials should be FORCED to assure ONLY AMERICAN CITIZENS, RESIDENTS OF THE STATE, AND LEGALLY REGISTERED TO VOTE CAST ONLY ONE VOTE!
I think most of you might just be surprised by the vote.
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