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Franken Takes Lead by 250 Votes

Thousands of votes still have yet to be counted

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 19, 2008 1:41 PM CST

(Newser) – After beginning the day with a slight deficit, Al Franken has opened up a 250-vote lead over incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota’s ongoing Senate race, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. While the race appears to be tipping Franken's way, don't expect any resolution until after the new year, given the complexity of the recount and its various legal challenges.

"While varying headlines and a flurry of different numbers will continue, we encourage everyone to just hang on until the process is finished," said a statement from the Coleman camp. "When it is finished, Norm Coleman will still lead." Franken's camp says its foes look "desperate" and "panicked."

Minnesota's State Canvassing Board sidestepped the Coleman team's proposal to prevent as many as 150 ballots from being counted twice.
Minnesota's State Canvassing Board sidestepped the Coleman team's proposal to prevent as many as 150 ballots from being counted twice.   (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)
The first 90 minutes of ballot rulings turned Al Franken's slight deficit into a growing triple-digit lead over incumbent Norm Coleman.
The first 90 minutes of ballot rulings turned Al Franken's slight deficit into a growing triple-digit lead over incumbent Norm Coleman.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A Coleman spokesman said: While varying headlines and a flurry of different numbers will continue, we encourage everyone to just hang on until the process is finished.
A Coleman spokesman said: "While varying headlines and a flurry of different numbers will continue, we encourage everyone to just hang on until the process is finished."   (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Dec 22, 2008 2:57 AM CST
It is funny how I like Franken the comedian and Coleman comes across negative all the time...but Franken is actually negative but we are used to his type of comedy so that makes him more likable to me...what do you think:?
jaguarj
Dec 20, 2008 10:27 PM CST
Coleman is just as guilty of all the b--l s--t that came with this campaign.
Guest
Dec 20, 2008 10:21 PM CST
I can hardly wait for a winner to be declared so we can hear that they "have a mandate".

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