home

The Al Franken Decade Begins

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:12:21 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

So sez the Minnesota Supreme Court:

– A unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Democrat Al Franken should be certified the winner of the state's long-running Senate race, paving the way for the former Saturday Night Live comedian to be seated after an almost eight-month fight.

Coleman concedes. It's over.

< What Obama Can Learn From FDR | Bill Clinton And Bill Kristol Agree: Todd Purdum Stinks >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    The Al Franken Decade Begins | 58 comments (58 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    Norm speaks at 4PM (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:21:37 PM EST
    So we'll see where this goes next.

    I'd say it's 50:50 on whether he concedes on makes a last ditch shot with Alito.

    it will be a big day (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:31:28 PM EST
    for him, Al Franken

    Parent
    Yup, Al speaks later (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:32:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Reid should just seat Franken now (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:32:02 PM EST
    regardless of whether Pawlenty certifies him or whether Coleman decides to take this to SCOTUS.  This has gone on for far too long.

    Parent
    I said that months ago (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:32:37 PM EST
    But hey, he's Harry Reid. . .

    Parent
    jeez (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:33:57 PM EST
    I am really sick of that excuse.

    Parent
    Harry Reid is a sorry excuse, isn't he? (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Fabian on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:42:59 PM EST
    Here's hoping that Franken will be who he ever was!

    (Smart, informed, eloquent and a few other adjectives that probably don't apply to either Pelosi or Reid.)

    Parent

    in your face (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:46:10 PM EST
    comes to mind


    Parent
    Have to find new excuse (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by mmc9431 on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:50:40 PM EST
    Now that Reid can't use the mythical 60 majority as an excuse, he'll have to blame it on Kennedy and Byrd!

    Parent
    But, but, (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:01:31 PM EST
    there are cookouts to prepare for--maybe the Democrats will think about it after the recess,  but we really don't have the votes and the Republicans will call us socialists, and, fries will go back to freedom fries, and, and...

    Parent
    Byrd just out of the hospital supposedly (none / 0) (#23)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:55:55 PM EST


    Parent
    Reid can't (none / 0) (#9)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:33:47 PM EST
    without stirring up tons of bad PR that wouldn't be worth it.  Reid stood there and and swore up and down that they needed a signed election certificate to seat Burris.  

    He would just look like an idiot.

    Parent

    The only thing he seems to be able to do (5.00 / 5) (#12)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:35:08 PM EST
    is look like an idiot. No change.

    That is after all exactly what he did when he bungled the Burris affair.

    Parent

    Fair point (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:35:40 PM EST


    Parent
    And why I don't really think his (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:05:27 PM EST
    past performance should be an impediment.

    At this point, the voters of Minnesota have gone without half of their representation for far too long.  

    It is a moot point now as Coleman has conceded and says he won't pursue any further judicial remedies - although if Pawlenty tries anything - my point still stands.  Reid should go ahead and seat Franken now regardless.

    Parent

    according to (none / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:57:06 PM EST
    this they did not just say he won but order him certified

           ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that Democrat Al Franken be certified as the winner of the state's long-running Senate race.

    Parent

    my point is (none / 0) (#25)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:57:50 PM EST
    that doesnt really seem to give Pawlenty a say in the matter


    Parent
    but seriously (none / 0) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:33:19 PM EST
    about your comment.  is that even possible?
    could he/they be that craven.

    yes.  I suppose they could.


    Parent

    A not craven group of people (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:34:14 PM EST
    would have given up months ago.

    Parent
    Hurray! (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by Faust on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:28:37 PM EST


    has Limpbaugh (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:36:43 PM EST
    reacted yet?  that should be good.
    also I think I will have to watch the Factor tonight if I get home in time.
    with popcorn.
    "activist judges!" (none / 0) (#17)
    by Fabian on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:44:51 PM EST
    Anyone know anything about the judges?  Odds are good that there are conservatives aplenty on that bench.

    Parent
    Coleman concedes (none / 0) (#29)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:05:54 PM EST


    Parent
    That won't prevent Limbaugh from (none / 0) (#32)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:19:14 PM EST
    blaming the courts for "forcing" Coleman to concede or something along those lines.

    Parent
    It was a unanimous vote (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:30:31 PM EST
    By Justices who were appointed by different governors and then re-elected.

    Let Limbaugh cry.

    Parent

    Sure. (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:05:15 PM EST
    He will no matter what.  He's made a career of whining and playing to those who identify with the victim mentality.

    Parent
    for example (5.00 / 3) (#36)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:08:39 PM EST
    he told his listeners the vote from the SC yesterday was 9-0 and that the SC had agreed that Sonya was a racist.
    we are not talking about a person who has a relationship with reality.


    Parent
    The irony is that if the world (none / 0) (#37)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:17:44 PM EST
    he desires actually came to be, he'd be one of the first to fall in it.  He reminds me of the skinny, drug ravaged self proclaimed anarchists  who used to hang around the East Village in NY - well not the skinny part - but the rest seems remarkably familiar.  In an world of real anarchy, they'd be the first to get pummeled.  Similarly, in a world governed by Limbaugh's unchecked anger and resentment, he'd be toast.

    Parent
    yes (none / 0) (#38)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:21:05 PM EST
    watching his mental disintegration since the election has been sort of like watching a train wreck.
    I honestly think he is coming unhinged.

    Parent
    Are you kidding? (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:28:14 PM EST
    This is Limbaugh's wet dream (if you'll pardon the crassness) - he LOVES this.  It's hard to keep listeners and to stay relevant if you can't really criticize the administration in Congress.  Now, he's got a Dem in the WH and a filibuster-proof Dem Congress, which means they have no more excuses.  Stuff will have to get done - stuff which Limbaugh and his listeners will hate, and he will have tons of material to rant against.

    This is money in the bank for him - more so than if McCain had won.

    Parent

    I dont know (none / 0) (#41)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:35:06 PM EST
    Franken does still have a book for sale on amazon called Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot.

    it may be good for his ratings but I think Rush and the rest think Al is trouble.  I think that is why they have fought this so hard.  they think he is not a career politician, that he can go back to show business if he wants and that he is very unpredictable and doesnt really givs a $hit.

    and I think they are right.


    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#42)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:36:43 PM EST
    More for Limbaugh to rant about - personal hate.

    Why do you think Fox News is beating CNN, CNN Healdine,and MSNBC combined?  Limbaugh's audience is going to skyrocket and he will be laughing all the way to the bank.

    Parent

    I know I will (none / 0) (#43)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:39:52 PM EST
    be watching BillO tonight.
    with popcorn.


    Parent
    Wait - Limbaugh was hinged at (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by inclusiveheart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 05:16:02 PM EST
    some point?!  No way!  lol

    Parent
    loosely (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 05:18:43 PM EST
    at best

    Parent
    Don't (none / 0) (#49)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 06:13:54 PM EST
    expect Limbaugh to reveal that information.

    Parent
    You have the steel in you (none / 0) (#48)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 06:09:59 PM EST
    to watch the 'Factor.'

    Hats off to you.

    Parent

    It's as formulaic (none / 0) (#50)
    by Fabian on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 08:27:45 PM EST
    as Keith Olbermann's show.

    Someone on dkos did a O'Reilly only month.  He got all of his news from Bill-O for one solid month.   The world from Billl-O's POV is a very strange place.  I remember Bill-O had several spots on each week about children sexually assaulted, kidnapped and killed by strangers.  Those high profile stories are also quite rare.  But a violent pedophile is better at provoking outrage than a man who rapes his own daughters for years.  (Or a man who sexually harasses his assistant.)

    That's basically what Bill-O is all about - provoking outrage using a handful of themes.  Being tough on crime was one.  The others were generally authoritarian, providing Bill-O liked the authority.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#53)
    by cal1942 on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 10:18:18 PM EST
    I've seen O'Reilly.  I just become agitated to the point that I want to punch out the TV set.

    Parent
    You and I (none / 0) (#55)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:53:39 AM EST
    know we are being lied to and that's what gets to us.

    The people out there who watch and have no idea that what they see is very distorted is what I find disturbing.  

    Parent

    I was extremely (none / 0) (#58)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:00:00 PM EST
    disappointed after I rushed home last night that BillO was on vacation and was not available to comment on this.

    Parent
    I watch occasionally too... (none / 0) (#57)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:02:15 AM EST
    the unintentional comedy is off the charts...often laugh out loud funny!

    Parent
    Can't Wait (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:50:47 PM EST
    For his first filibuster. Bet the Senate would be able to sell commercial air time to help offset the deficit when that happens.

    you know what (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:52:32 PM EST
    I think he is just the guy to do it.

    Parent
    Nice concession speech (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:11:04 PM EST
        Senator Norm Coleman today made the following statement at his home in St. Paul - from The Corner:

       

    "Ours is a government of laws, not men and women.  The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken and I respect its decision and will abide by the result.  It's time for Minnesota to come together under the leaders it has chosen and move forward. I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States Senator - Al Franken.

        "Just a few last words about my legal challenge.  Sure, I wanted to win.  Not just for myself but for my wonderful supporters and the important values I have always fought for.  I also thought it was important to stand up for enfranchising thousands of Minnesotans whose votes weren't counted like the others were.  After all, issues and politicians come and go, but voting is fundamental.

        "It is the essence of democracy so I knew we needed to do everything we could to get it right.

        "I am forever grateful and humbled by the people of Minnesota who have given me the honor to represent them - and even more grateful for their wisdom, courage, patience and understanding over these past several months.

        "The path that I take in the future is not nearly as important today as the path that we must now -- all travel on together -- to strengthen our state and our nation.

        "I have never believed that my service is irreplaceable.  We have reached the point where further litigation damages the unity of our state, which is also fundamental.  In these tough times, we all need to focus on the future.  And the future today is we have a new United States Senator.

        "I congratulate Al Franken and his victory in this election.  He now enjoys the advantage that our Congressional Delegation has over the other 525 people on Capitol Hill: he represents Minnesota.

        "I know the great ideas, the amazing work ethic and the historic ability to come together to get things done in this state will help him greatly, as it has me.

        "Speaking of which, I think we all should take a moment to thank Amy Klobuchar and her staff.  They have done a great job of carrying the burden of two Senators these last six months.  She is an extraordinary public servant.

        "I don't reach this point with any big regrets.  I ran the campaign I wanted.  I conducted the legal challenge I wanted.  And I have always believed you do the best you can and leave the results up to a higher authority.  I'm at peace with that.  As to my future plans, that's a subject for another day.                            

        "We live in a great country and a great state.  We can all have confidence that by some path we don't yet know - one which we can all come together to lay out - we will arrive at the better future we all seek.

        "Thank you and may God bless Minnesota and America."
    Hallelujah (5.00 / 4) (#31)
    by ruffian on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:11:05 PM EST
    Long time coming but I have a feeling it will be worth the wait.

    Congratulations Al! I'm expecting big things out of you. May you be the spine transplant the Dem majority-in-name-only needs.

    It Would Be Fitting (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by bob h on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:49:57 PM EST
    if Coleman and his jackass friends in the Republican Party now had to ante up for Al's legal bills, which must be considerable.

    Good luck Al (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by SOS on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 04:23:13 PM EST
    Cause your going to need it.

    We (5.00 / 6) (#44)
    by eric on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 05:04:08 PM EST
    now have Wellstone's seat back.  This was a personal mission for Al after the tragedy, and the travesty of the 2002 election.

    Legal people: IF he appeals, which (none / 0) (#6)
    by lilybart on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:32:32 PM EST
    court does it go to next? If no Federal judge will issue a stay, is it over?

    Well (none / 0) (#13)
    by jbindc on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:35:17 PM EST
    Since the NRSC has already spent more than $1 million on Coleman's case, my guess is they are going to tell him to pack it up and not fight it anymore, so it would be a moot point.

    Parent
    Recourse (none / 0) (#22)
    by mmc9431 on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 02:53:34 PM EST
    I read on FDL that Coleman would have to have Alito issue a stay until October when the court is back in session.

    Parent
    CNN has concession video (none / 0) (#27)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 03:04:40 PM EST
    Finally.

    Al (none / 0) (#47)
    by kmblue on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 06:04:06 PM EST
    for President!

    Let the laughter begin... (none / 0) (#51)
    by oldpro on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 09:11:46 PM EST


    I hope Al can rhetorically smack some (none / 0) (#52)
    by Anne on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 09:17:02 PM EST
    sense into his fellow Democrats.  

    But it will take more (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Cream City on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:41:44 AM EST
    than daily affirmations to make the Dems on the Hill good enough and smart enough to make the people like them.

    Parent
    Blissful :) (none / 0) (#56)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 10:54:03 AM EST


    The Al Franken Decade Begins | 58 comments (58 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment