Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


7

Franken Gets Boost in Minnesota Recount

Decision to re-examine rejected absentee ballots raises challenger's hopes

Share

(Newser) – The momentum went Al Franken's way in the Minnesota recount yesterday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Democrat—trailing incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman by 303 votes with 93% of the ballots counted—picked up 37 more votes than his rival out of a pile of 171 uncounted ballots found in one county. Also yesterday, Minnesota's secretary of state ordered officials to re-examine 12,000 rejected absentee ballots, a move Franken supporters believe will help their guy.

Franken's campaign has been pushing to have what it estimates to be 1,000 improperly rejected absentee ballots added to the recount before results are finalized December 16. Minnesota's race is the last Senate contest still to be decided—although Democratic dreams of a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority died with yesterday's GOP win in Georgia.

Alan Shilepsky, a Coleman observer, left, and Franken observer Zev Aelony watch the recount of Minneapolis ballots.
Alan Shilepsky, a Coleman observer, left, and Franken observer Zev Aelony watch the recount of Minneapolis ballots.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken addresses supporters at a Democratic election night party last month.
Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken addresses supporters at a Democratic election night party last month.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Election judges count ballots by hand last week at a recount site in Minneapolis.
Election judges count ballots by hand last week at a recount site in Minneapolis.   (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
7 comments
VIEWING:
 
petepenguin
Dec 3, 08 5:40 AM CST
Neither of these two should be senator.Let a chimp go to DC for them. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Doctor_Zaius
Dec 3, 08 6:13 AM CST
We already tried that with the President, didn't work so well. I willing to give Franken a shot. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
Sammy
Dec 3, 08 6:47 AM CST
As a democrat, I do not believe Franken is qualified. His election would be troubling. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
jaguarj
Dec 3, 08 3:38 PM CST
He can't be any worse than Coleman is/has been.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Shannonals
Dec 3, 08 1:28 PM CST
I'm from Minnesota, and both nominations do not have the qualification for the job Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 7 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

167 Stories

Defense Dept. Opposed Anti-Rape Rule for Contractors

But lefties ripped GOP senators for nay votes

Oct 20, 09 9:19 AM CDT
(Newser) - When 30 Republicans voted against an Al Franken amendment prohibiting defense contractors from forcing their employees to agree not to sue if they’re raped, Jon Stewart and liberals everywhere went ballistic. But those 30 Republicans weren’t alone, the Huffington Post reports; the Defense Department opposed the amendment as... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Senate • rape • Department of Defense • Jon Stewart • The Daily Show • contract law • Al Franken • Jamie Leigh Jones • KBR • Defense Dept • John Thune • Obama administration • defense contractors

 Franken Gets 
 Funny Again 



Senator has crowd chuckling at Iowa fundraiser

Sep 14, 09 8:30 AM CDT
(Newser) - As a latecomer to the Senate this year, Al Franken’s been playing it straight—but he loosened up enough to venture a few jokes at an Iowa fundraiser yesterday, CNN reports. Discussing Sen. Tom Harkin’s new post as head of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iowa • politics • Senate • comedy • humor • fundraiser • Al Franken • Tom Harkin • comedian • senator

investigation

White House Sought to Weaken Whistleblower Law


Aug 7, 09 1:08 PM CDT
(Newser) - The Obama administration appears to have attempted to water down the whistleblower protection law the president himself championed on the campaign trail. In an e-mail obtained by the Washington Times, a lawyer in the White House counsel's office sent a new draft of the bill to the Senate. That... More »

MORE ABOUT:
national security • FBI • Senate • House of Representatives • federal employees • Election 2008 • whistleblower • US Senate • Obama administration • President Obama • Homeland Security Committee • White House counsel

167 Stories


Franken lawyer says client only 50 votes behind
Minnesota Post-Bulletin

Senate may have to decide Minnesota race
Minnesota Public Radio

Georgia result kills Democratic super-majority hopes
Los Angeles Times


Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Senate • Norm Coleman • Minnesota • Al Franken • Senate race • absentee balloting • Election 2008 • recount

from our news partners