Posted on 11/22/2008 12:24:12 PM PST by lewisglad
The weekend isn't bringing any respite in the Minnesota Senate recount.
Ballots in the ultra-close race between Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken are being counted in at least three counties today.
Fifty-three counties have reported complete results to the secretary of state, meaning fewer than three dozen remain. As of Friday night, at least 60 percent of the estimated 2.9 million ballots had gotten a second look.
Coleman entered the recount with a 215-vote edge over Franken. That lead has dropped to 115 votes when comparing totals in precincts where the new count is complete. But the figure doesn't include ballot challenges, which have caused vote tallies for both men to drop.
There have been 1,525 challenges between the campaigns, although some could be withdrawn before the Canvassing Board's Dec. 16 meeting.
In a high-ceilinged warehouse in northeast Minneapolis, the recount was carefully monitored by 52 volunteer observers for Coleman and 40 for Franken.
The work area was hushed, with little conversation as people focused on their work.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Ir ia “odd” that Coleman has never gained a single vote in the proceedings, it seems. Such is MN.
Stay tuned!
The counting won’t be completed until Franken has at least a 116 future vote gain no matter what or how long it takes.
Yeah, I have been anxiously awaiting the publication of one single vote being found for Coleman.
I'm afraid that this election bodes ill for there ever being an honest election in this country again.
Expect 116 votes to ‘magically’ appear for Stuart Smalley before the GOP counties voters come in Monday. (while college football is on and no one is watching)
Kinda pulling for the lizard people myself.
With so many challenged ballots, the canvassing board is going to end up deciding the election. I believe the board is split between parties, with the Democrat Acorn Sec of State as the tiebreaker in the event of a split...
I think Norm may as well clear out his senate desk now.
As of 10 minutes ago the latest numbers show Coleman leading by 147 votes:
http://ww2.startribune.com/news/metro/elections/returns/2008/recount/msenco.html
Here’s the link to an update. http://ww2.startribune.com/news/metro/elections/returns/2008/recount/msenco.html
Coleman is back up by 147, with 65% of votes counted. I am stunned to see Coleman has actually GAINED votes in Hennepin County.
If I had the power, I would demand a re-vote; no mail-in’s, you must appear in person. That may prove a bit interesting.
Jesus and Mary traveled for tax purposes, voters can travel to vote....military excepted.
So its a razor thin victory for the GOP or the Rats are just trying to make it look fair
Incorrect. The canvassing board consists of Ritchie, the Chief Justice, Justice Barry Anderson, and Judges Kathleen Gearin and Edward Cleary. Both Supreme Court Justices were appointees of Pawlenty, the Chief being his former law partner. Gearin was elected in a non-partisan election a number of years ago and Cleary was appointed by Ventura. Ritchie is a hack. The others are straight-shooters.
What the heck? It looks like the Rat ballot stuffers slipped up somewhere.
“The only good news is that 60% has come in and Coleman ‘only’ lost 105 votes of his 215 margin.”
Better news is that data is outdated, and Coleman now leads by 147, with 64% recounted.
If Coleman comes out ahead on this recount, watch Franken demand another fresh recount. Then there will be the stacks of discarded ballots and “found” ballots he’ll sue to include. If Minnesota refuses to count them, Franken will take his case to the US Senate, which is the ultimate judge of elections per the Constitution.
I am certain the counting will stop as soon as Franken gets a lead.
What I find amazing here is that the two counties with the widest margins for Dems are the best turnarounds in Coleman’s favor. St Louis County = +19; and Hennepin County = +17.
I remember Dino Rossi. He was ahead in like 2 or 3 counts? Then the Rat pulls ahead on the 4th count, and it was immediately game over, stop the counting, and she was sworn in.
Franken’s people are telling Mess-NBC that they have a different count and he was actually under 100 vote margin last night.
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