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Franken and Coleman Still Jousting on Absentees

If the two can't compromise, Senate may just seat Franken

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 30, 2008 1:44 PM CST

(Newser) – It’s not clear what the Minnesota Supreme Court was thinking when it made the outcome of the Senate race contingent on the two campaigns working out a deal on disputed absentee ballots. Not surprisingly, the Al Franken and Norm Coleman camps, currently separated by 46 votes, are still far apart, and sniping at each other instead of settling. Franken wants all 1,346 improperly rejected absentee ballots counted, and Coleman only wants a few hundred.

Coleman is accusing Franken of rushing a conclusion while he’s ahead, and Franken is accusing Coleman of stonewalling while he’s behind. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s senior senator, Democrat Amy Klobuchar, said that when the Senate session begins on January 6, the body could seat (perhaps provisionally) whomever the Canvassing Board has certified, even if challenges are still ongoing. That caused another uproar from the Coleman side.

[Images (4)]

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In this Nov. 19, 2008 file photo, Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken walks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. Franken on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 withdrew 633 challenges... (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

In this Nov. 5, 2008 file photo, Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., reacts to a question at a news conference where he claimed victory in his reelection bid in St. Paul, Minn., after the unofficial vote tally... (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

Election officials and representatives for Republican Incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken discuss disputed ballots to wrap up the first phase of the Senate recount Friday Dec. 5, 2008 in Buffalo,... (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)

State Election Director Gary Pose, second from left, along with representatives for Republican Incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken discuss disputed ballots, Friday Dec. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)

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We are almost at the finish line of this recount, and Instead of moving this process forward, they play political games in the hope that they can drag this out and thwart the imminent conclusion of this recount. - David Lillehaug, attorney for Franken

The Franken campaign no longer cares about accuracy and transparency. They want to rush through this process as long as they’re on top. - Fritz Knaak, attorney for Coleman

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Franken and Coleman Still Jousting on Absentees