Written by Lily
I’ve been watching the results of the Senate Election in Minnesota. One of two seats remain undecided as the outcome was very close. I became interested in this after Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash on October 25, 2002. His death came just eleven days before the election and fourteen days after he voted against Congressional authorization to “use all means” against Iraq.
The Dem. Party replacement candidate was former Vice President Mondale who lost to Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. In 2005, Al Franken announced he was planning to fill the seat of the late Mr. Wellstone. I have been a fan of Franken’s comedic work since the team of Franken and Davis in the 70′s. His character, Stuart Smalley, is one of my favorites from the SNL line-up. I also found that I liked his political stance. I have read his books and agree with a lot of his views. Franken officially announced his candidacy in February 2007 and would be running against Coleman. As of yet, neither Franken nor Coleman are acting as Senator.
On November 18, the official election results showed Coleman winning by 215 votes. After a hand recount, the results were certified by the MN Canvassing Boards on January 5th. Those results showed Franken winning by 225 votes. Coleman’s campaign filed an election contest the next day. This led to a seven week trial in front of a three judge panel.
On April 13, the panel declared Franklen the winner by 312 votes. There was thought that the Republican Gov. Pawlenty should certify the results at that time. The Governor is deciding whether to run for re-election or become a presidential candidate in the 2012 election.
Coleman has filed an appeal with the MN Supreme Court. Hearings begin on June 1. It could take more than two months for a ruling to come from that court. If Coleman loses that appeal, there is talk that he will take his case to the Federal Courts. Minnesota law states that the Governor must certify the results only after “final judicial determination.” It is unclear if that includes the Federal appeals process. Without clarifying, the Governor has stated he will not certify the results until the appeals process is exhausted, but will sign if the State Supreme Court instructs him. He could refrain from signing if the court doesn’t specify those instructions.
I thought Coleman should have conceded after the two rulings in Franken’s favor. In the meantime, PA Sen. Arlen Specter announced he was switching to the Democratic party, giving them 59seats. The White House needs Franken to be seated in order to have the high hand of a super majority with 60 votes to block a filibuster. There is pressure and strong interest on all sides and I’m wondering how it’s all going to play out.
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Comments
4 Responses to WAITING FOR A SENATOR
This is why the rest of the world looks at us as if we were a third world country. There is no way this should have gone on for more than a month. No matter where you stand on the Bush-Gore 2000, the US Supreme Court had it right; End this fiasco and put someone in charge! (they were right as well as all post election looks at the voting gave President Bush the most votes, including research by the New York Times.) As a Republican, I hate to see the Dems have a 60 member Senate but Coleman has to throw in the towel
First of all, if I were a citizen of Minnesota I would be glad there was one less polictian. Here in California, everytime a politician votes our taxes go up, the promises are never kept, and we end up with nothing to show for it…and every few yers another vote is taken and we get to pay more for less and have nothing to show for it. On a more serious note, I believe it is imperative that the judicial process take its course before a decision is made on the Minnesota Senante seat. I personally prefer checks and balances no matter what party is in charge. We have already seen how partisan politics and the inappropriate prosecution by the Justice Department of Alaskan Senator Stevens cost him his bid for reelection. Only to have the Attorney General drop all charges against Senator Stevens, express embarassment at the actions of federal prosecuters, and call for a review of the system. One party controlling the White House and both houses of Congress is scary.
I do think there has been ample opportunity to count, re-count and re-re-count some more. It's time for MI to seat its Senator.
Even though I am a Democrat, I understand the concern about one party controlling the White House and Congress, but I think the Republicans only have themselves and George Bush to thank for this. They are clearly lost right now. Hopefully, they will get it together because I personally don't want a country ruled by one party either.
AL FRANKEN IS THE NEW SENATOR OF MN
Hi, I just saw that Coleman has conceded. This was after the State
Supreme Court’s unanimous decision for Franken. Coleman is not
pursuing this to the federal level. The governor has said he will
certify the results this Tues. Congrats To Al Franken (from me
anyway).
Wow, a super majority.