Dêjá Vu! Minnesota Begins Recount

Senator-elect stresses loyalty to state, downplays Dem. supermajority

(NEWSER) - Al Franken said he was “thrilled and honored by the faith Minnesotans placed in me” after the state Supreme Court declared him the winner of the Senate recount, CNN reports. "I'm so excited to finally be able to get to work " said Franken, who added that he got a "very gracious" phone call from Norm Coleman. In his news conference, Franken struck a cordial tone, saying he would stand on principle when necessary but would be willing to "compromise" for the good of constituents. More»

Minnesota governor's race headed for recount

(NEWSER) - More than a week after America went to the polls, seven House races are still too close to call and two statewide elections are undecided. The results look certain to make the historic Republican win in the House even bigger, the Los Angeles Times notes, with Democratic candidates defending all seven districts and leading in just two—California's 11th and Kentucky's 6th. The differential is fewer than 700 votes in most races; a 10th race in North Carolina's 2nd has been called for the Republican, but a recount is expected. More»

First of all, if you don't have a lawyer ready ... it's too late

(NEWSER) - With at least six Senate races too close to call, and even more in the House, at least one recount is inevitable this Election Day. In the Washington Post , Jay Weiner offers up nine lessons from the high-profile recounts of 2000 (Bush-Gore) and 2008 (Franken-Coleman):

• Lawyer up—yesterday: Al Franken had a lawyer working on recount plans a month before the election. His trial lawyer also started preparing for legal proceedings months before Coleman’s—and Franken won the trial.
• Set money aside: Coleman and Franken likely spent a combined $20 million; for Bush and Gore, the total was $17 million. Know how you’re going to pay—in advance.

Both candidates low on cash

(NEWSER) - A whopping 63% of Minnesota voters want Norm Coleman to concede the Senate race to Al Franken, with only 37% supporting more appeals, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling. Another 59% said they want Gov. Tim Pawlenty to certify Franken’s victory. “It appears that most Minnesota voters are now ready for this election to be over,” said the pollster. More»

(NEWSER) - Al Franken may have moved a decisive step closer to the Senate today, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. A three-judge panel ruled that only 400 disputed absentee ballots will be reviewed, making it highly unlikely that Norm Coleman will be able to erase Franken's 225-seat margin in the Minnesota race. Any new ballots deemed eligible will be counted April 7. After that, Coleman is expected to go to the state Supreme Court and possibly the Supreme Court itself. More»