Posted on 09/15/2009 8:46:05 PM PDT by MplsSteve
In a pair of crowded, cluttered, work-ripened hotel suites, campaign workers quietly tapped at their laptops and could hardly believe what they saw.
The roars and tears of supporters of Barack Obama and John McCain had long subsided. It was the early morning after Election Day 2008, time for them to either celebrate or drown their sorrows. But these stalwarts of the bitter red-vs.-blue U.S. Senate battle between Norm Coleman and Al Franken stayed at their posts and nervously watched the numbers.
Which were frozen. After two years and $40 million, Coleman and Franken were tied and headed into overtime.
The tension of watching the last returns was like defusing a bomb, one campaign staffer said later. Another recalled mini-runs in a basketball game — one side making a three-pointer, stirring a burst of optimism, to be squelched by a three-pointer by the opposition.
A wire service called the race for Coleman, triggering a brief celebration — and then "uncalled" it. The two candidates walked in and out for news and considered when to address the declining number of faithful downstairs. The laptop pecking continued.
But as the sun rose, it was clear the fight was not over. It was entering a new, unpredictable, historic phase, a fitting end to one of Minnesota's greatest political seasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
The St Paul Pioneer Press has done a multi-part series on what happened during this race and in the days and weeks afterwards.
Each day, I will publish a new chapter in this series and you will see just how badly run the Coleman campaign and recount effort was.
Please completely read each chapter before commenting on it. I think you'll actually enjoy reading it. You may not enjoy the eventual outcome but you'll likely gain a better understanding of what happened here in the North Star State.
WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC’S MINNESOTA PING LIST!
126 MEMBERS AND GROWING...!
FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT ON OR OFF THIS LIST!
I wonder, though, if a new ACORN chapter needs to be written now that the kimono has been pulled back?
That picture just makes me sick
Minnesota hang your head in shame.
That’s a U.S. Senator, kids.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.