Dear Republicans: You've disenfranchised the People of Minnesota long enough, it's time to stop.

[ck4829]

Just as he did in early January, Democrat Al Franken again stood outside his Minneapolis house and pronounced himself ready to fill Minnesota's empty Senate seat. He may have to repeat the exercise one or two more times before his exhausting election battle is really over.

A unanimous three-judge panel ruled in Franken's favor, but former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman swiftly announced he would take his fight to the state Supreme Court. That appeal — and other legal maneuvers — could mean weeks more delay in seating Minnesota's second senator.

"It's time that Minnesota like every other state have two" senators, a jovial Franken said Monday night. "I would call on Senator Coleman to allow me to get to work for the people of Minnesota as soon as possible."

After a statewide recount and seven-week trial, Franken stands 312 votes ahead. Franken actually gained more votes from the election challenge than Coleman, the candidate who brought the lawsuit.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/minnesota_senate

[Zenlitened]

1. K&R. What the Republicans are doing is obscene.

I have no problem with contesting a close election.

Recounts, sure. Taking it to the courts, sure.

But there comes a point when a valid wish to see the will of the voters properly acknowledged... morphs into an active scheme to thwart the voters and disrupt democracy.

That point has certainly been reached by now.

[jberryhill]

9. The process is what it is....

The courthouse door remains open to whomever wants to file there.

It is telling that Franken was awarded partial attorney fees.

Coleman has every right to take it up with the MN Supreme Court.

He will fail, but the system we have allows him to try.

[Captain Hilts]

2. And Franken did it with little help from National Dems. nt

[KharmaTrain]

3. Franken Caused The Recount???

You've lost me on that one. Or is it Franken and the "National Dems" are prolonging this process?

[Captain Hilts]

4. During the election he didn't get much help from the Dem Party. He should

have gotten more.

Hell, Obama had $30m left over after the election. The national Democratic party should have helped Franken more.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Hindsight In 20/20

Franken had a difficult campaign...some of his own making. He almost fell off the map with his tax situation and had to win a primary that was late in the season. By the time his general campaign got rolling there wasn't much time left...and he came back from being behind Coleman in the polling. It's never easy to beat an incumbent...even an inept and crooked one.

I donated money to Senator Franken in both the primary and the general...and I know there were ongoing efforts at many websites that brought in a nice chunk of coin for Al. Recently, I donated again for the recount and his legal bills. The money was there (even though I've never heard a candidate say they raised too much), Al's problem was first convincing voters he was a serious candidate and that he was the man for the job. Looking back, I think it was a tremendous accomplishment for him to finish as he did considering the hole he had to climb out of.

All that matters now is to get him seated...it's up to Harry Reid.

[FredStembottom]

8. True. Thx Kharma Train.

That endless Primary was so frustrating*. I thought Franken was nominated a couple of times long before he actually was. Then it was so late and I was puzzled to never se Franken even once anywhere I went - with my job is all over the Twin Cities.
I even waited at his State Fair booth.... and still didn't see him.

I am not accusing his campaign of anything - but going up against an incumbent, I am not surprised it was so close!

*especially that last minute movement to dump him when that ugly story he wrote years ago surfaced.

[blondeatlast]

5. And rightly so--look how desperate and foolish the RNC is looking by

pushing their loser candidate.

[Captain Hilts]

6. The Dem Party should NOT have helped Franken more?

[Wednesdays]

10. K&R

:kick: