Coleman Still Has a Chance: Minn. Governor

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»

(NEWSER) - Norm Coleman isn't going to drag out Minnesota's Senate fight any longer. Coleman conceded the race to Al Franken today, hours after the state's Supreme Court decreed that Democrat Franken was the rightful winner of November's election, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Further litigation damages the unity of our state," said Coleman. "The future today is that we have a new United States senator." More»

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»

Washington is latest stage for Minnesota combatants

(NEWSER) - As Al Franken’s lawyers asked a Minnesota court to dismiss Norm Coleman’s challenge to election results there, both Senate hopefuls traveled to Washington today meet with party leaders, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. “The race in Minnesota is over with,” Harry Reid said after conferring with Democrat Franken about committee assignments. “Reports of my defeat are greatly exaggerated,” said Coleman after meeting with GOP senators. More»

Wants absentee ballots reconsidered

(NEWSER) - Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman is abruptly reversing strategy in his court action challenging the results of the US Senate race he narrowly lost to Al Franken, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Coleman now wants all 12,000 absentee ballots rejected during the recount to be reconsidered—the same ballots he argued should be tossed when he was ahead in the recount. More»