Update: Coleman Concedes - Video Added
Ending an eight-month legal battle, Republican Norm Coleman conceded Tuesday to Democrat Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race after the state’s high court ruled that Franken should be certified as the winner.
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Though Coleman could have tried to take the case to the federal Supreme Court, he told reporters outside his home in St. Paul that continuing to drag out his challenge would hurt his state.
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“I just had a conversation with Al Franken congratulating him on his victory,” Coleman said. “The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken. I respect its decision and I will abide by its result. …We have reached the point where further litigation damages the unity of our state.”
Coleman, though, said he had no “regrets” about his prolonged legal challenge to this point — which has kept the Democratic Party one seat short of a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority for months.
Democrats applauded the state Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday afternoon and welcomed the former “Saturday Night Live” comedian to the halls of Congress.
President Obama, in a written statement released moments after Coleman conceded, said he looks forward to working with Franken to “build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty also issued a statement saying in light of the court decision and Coleman’s announcement he would sign the election certificate Tuesday certifying Franken as the winner. He thanked Coleman for his service, calling him an “extraordinary leader,” and congratulated Franken.
In a signal of Coleman’s dimming legal prospects, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that Franken should be certified.
“We affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under (Minnesota law) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota,” the court wrote in its 5-0 ruling.
With Franken and the usual backing of two independents, Democrats will have a big enough majority to overcome Republican filibusters.
The earliest Franken would be seated is next week because the Senate is out of session for the July 4 holiday, said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The election certificate also requires the signature of Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. Ritchie, a Democrat, said he was ready to sign it “as soon as the governor issues it.”
The court’s ruling stopped short of explicitly ordering the governor to sign the document, saying only that Franken was “entitled” to it.
Coleman’s appeal hinged largely on whether thousands of absentee votes had been unfairly rejected by local election officials around the state.
The unanimous court wrote that “because the legislature established absentee voting as an optional method of voting, voters choosing to use that method are required to comply with the statutory provisions.”
They went on to say that “because strict compliance with the statutory requirements for absentee voting is, and always has been required, there is no basis on which voters could have reasonably believed that anything less than strict compliance would suffice.”
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Great, another cartoon entity to go with “Stretch” Pelosi, Reid and Frank.
Email from Norm:
Dear Friend,
The news has arrived from the Minnesota Supreme Court and the conclusion to the 2008 United States Senate election has been reached.
I want you to be among the first to know of my decision to congratulate our newest Senator, Al Franken, for his victory. And, I ask you and all Minnesotans to join with me in giving our prayers and support to our state’s new Senator and his family.
You have been my hope and my strength and my courage for these past many, many months. Your prayers, your comfort and your wisdom have guided me through the most difficult times over the past 8 months.
There are not enough words to express my gratitude and that of my family for your commitment to this effort. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done to make my life an incredible adventure.
God Bless You and Minnesota!
Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
Its is a will of faith to pray for your enemy…I usually pray that they will die before me.
Looks like Minnesota residents could use plenty of those lite bulbs that their dear leader is mandating ..they appear to be rather dim.
A.C.O.R.N. does it again.
Evil most certainly exists.
Is it possible to get an emoticon in profile with a cloud of red mist coming out the back of it’s head?
Just asking.
Yes it does and they own it.
ACORN and the DNC does it again.
How does the initial election go from 800 votes up for Norm to 300+ votes for Franken, with every precinct recount going in Franken’s favor?
Easy answer: FRAUD
The largest gains were in democrat strongholds where recount rules were loosened, even allowing double counts. In republican-leaning precincts, lawyers and democrat observers demanded tougher application of rules. In all cases, ACORN, Soros and the DNC blanketed every county recount with lawyers and observers. They knew this was going to be a close election and they were ready to set the plan into action even before the poles closed. The secretary of state ran interference early on, allowing fraud to spread…by design.
Take a good look people, this wasn’t merely “stupid Minnesotans” voting for this clown, this was Chicago-style, orchestrated voter fraud from the national level. This was the DNC knowing they had their chance of full control of Congress, the White House was a given, thus they now have the power to stack the Supreme Court in time. You thought the dems were drunk with power before, just wait until you see what’s going to happens next.
As far as 2010 goes, the dems have just successfully employed their new election strategy in Minnesota. You’ll see the same done across the country, even in not so close races. The dems will not give up power at any cost, which means your vote will likely be nullified by fraud.
Fair, honest, elections are over folks!Dont pretend 2010 will be any less unbelieve than this ass clown being SELECTED.ITS OVER.If you think these assholes will relinquish their power over a silly ass election process,your fucked.Preaching to the choir…
Oh I agree 100%. Violence is the only thing that will ever get bo out of DC.
In some ways this is going to be painful to watch but just letting the libtards own all this is somewhat gratifying.
Congratulations Minnesota………You have just elected one of the dumbest mother-fuckers on the planet to represent you…….
A I wrote under the post of Franken winning, Coleman thinks he is being gracious and high minded, but he is being a fool.
Have you ever had one of those premonitions of disaster? You could see it coming from miles away. I just knew that somehow by hook or crook, Frankenstein was going to get in, no matter what we did. So much for democracy. Is this the signal to initiate Operation Fight or Flight?