Franken Camp's Claim: The Hand Count Is Over -- And We're Up By Four Votes!

[kpete]

Franken Camp's Claim: The Hand Count Is Over -- And We're Up By Four Votes!
By Eric Kleefeld - December 5, 2008, 1:41PM

Four votes.

That's how many votes the Franken campaign just said they're leading Norm Coleman by, with the hand recount now officially finished. In other words, with every single precinct in Minnesota now done counting (except for the one where they're still searching for the missing votes), the Franken campaign is claiming the lead. An extremely slim lead, but a lead nonetheless.

"We are not declaring victory -- we are moving into the next stage of the process," said Franken's lead recount lawyer Marc Elias, in a press briefing going on now with reporters. "But we are going into that ahead by four votes."

At the end of this hand count, it's worth restating a few necessary caveats. The Franken camp's methodology involves taking down the opinions of the local election officials regarding the challenged ballots, and assuming that the local referees' calls will be upheld by the state canvassing board. As such, we are dependent on the Franken camp's numbers and assumptions.

The state canvassing board are going to be the ones who truly decide this race, as they rule on each challenge one by one. The Franken camp thinks this process will end with them ahead by four votes, or possibly even more, but clearly there is plenty of potential variation left.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/franken_camps_claim_the_hand_c.php

Late Update: Just to be clear, the Franken camp is also assuming that those missing ballots in Minneapolis, which give Al an edge of 46 votes, will be found. And as we reported earlier, the votes could potentially be credited back into the totals even if they aren't recovered.

[yourout]

1. Franken had better be ready to fight for it because if he gets the nod with a 4 vote difference....

it will degrade into legal challenge after legal challenge.

You can bet the pukes will pull out all the stops to prevent Franken from being seated.

[Aviation Pro]

2. Ultimately, it will end up in the hands of the U.S. Senate....

...where we currently lead 58 - 41.

Really sucks to be a Republicant, don't it?

[yourout]

3. While I am suppose to be above such behavior......"Revenge is a dish....

best served cold"

[Uben]

4. All in favor?

All opposed? Franken wins by a vote of 58-41. Congrats senator Franken, Mr. Coleman, get the fuck outta here!

[Randypiper]

5. How you think Lieberman would vote?

nt

[Aviation Pro]

7. After January 1st it doesn't fucking matter....

...how that asshole votes.

[Thickasabrick]

6. But doesn't Minnesota have some whacky rule that if it's a tie, they

basically "flip" for it?

[Aviation Pro]

9. The Senate still has to accept the individual....

...and I don't think a coin toss is going to hold any truck with them.

[Thickasabrick]

14. Thank you - I did not know that!! nt

[cascadiance]

12. Hey us North County district 50 voters were VICTIMIZED by Hastert and the House...

... when they swore in Brian Bilbray before they finished counting, and therefore in effect STOLE the decision away from local voters and made the decision themselves to put in place Brian Bilbray over Francine Busby to replace Duke Cunningham.

The Senate waiting until after the recounting is fully counted and THEN declaring Franken the winner is far more defensible than what Hastert and his minions did then!

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. What was the final count on that vote?

[jenmito]

8. Why did David Shuster say this evening that Coleman's up by about 300? n/t

[Aviation Pro]

10. Because he doesn't know...

...what the fuck he's talking about and he's quoting old news.

Lazy asshole.

[jenmito]

11. I believe that. Just like Pete Williams kept saying, about the "Birth Certificate" SC Case, that it

had no chance of being heard, and that the will of 44 million voters won't be overturned. He said it more than once.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. Because that is the offical count as per the MN Secretary of State:

http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/SenateRecount.asp

[AZ Criminal JD]

13. The Star-Tribune says Coleman is up by 192 with all ballots re-counted

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/35607614.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUX

[GoesTo11]

16. Get it right.

This is before challenged ballots are considered (as is Shuster's number). Franken is keeping track of challenged votes and what way officials were inclined, and if all those go as he expects, then he's up 4. I'm not sure whether this includes that strange missing 133 votes, let alone rejected absentees that haven't been counted but could be.

[AZ Criminal JD]

17. You get it right

I just reported and gave the link to what a neutral source is saying. I will believe that before I believe someone who has a vested interest in the outcome.

[w4rma]

20. That source is correct, also. But, it doesn't even try to take into account challenged ballots. (nt)

[w4rma]

18. Doesn't include the missing envelope of 133 ballots. (nt)

[HughMoran]

22. Yes, their estimate includes everything but the absentee ballots

Re-read the O/P - it's at the bottom.

[Bucky]

15. Ha-ha! I told my cousin Phil his vote wouldn't count--and I was right!

Seriously, folks, quit voting. You vote never really makes a difference.

[mucifer]

19. I'm so glad we have president mccain

[Jack Sprat]

21. Reports of this recount have ranged in every direction

Until there is some definite call on this race, I am not going to count on anything from this Senate race. I just hope the lost ballots are accounted for and that the end result is accurate and fair. That's the best anyone can wish for anymore.