National GOP Devotes $938K To (Norm) Coleman Fight

[sabra]

Source: AP

ST. PAUL (AP) ―

A new campaign report from the National Republican Senatorial Committee shows it paid almost $600,000 in legal bills for the former senator and gave home-state Republicans $300,000 toward the effort. (File)

The fundraising committee for Senate Republicans has invested heavily in Norm Coleman's ongoing battle in Minnesota, including about $938,000 last month alone.

Coleman is awaiting word from Minnesota's Supreme Court on whether Democrat Al Franken's 312-vote lead will stand. The race has languished nearly eight months beyond Election Day.

The NRSC raised about $250,000 in May toward the Minnesota recount, mostly in $30,000 checks.



Read more: http://wcco.com/local/national.gop.coleman.2.1056314.html

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Keep on spending money on Normie.

In fact, why not hire every SCOTUS-linked lawyers on staff for Normie.. in case he needs more help.....

I'm sure they'll love you very much..

:popcorn:

Hawkeye-X

[GreenTea]

15. Don't be so over confident on the upcoming ruling.

You do not know how the MN supreme court is going to rule....The Minnesota Supreme Court is taking a long time for a reason.....let's hope it doesn't become a dreadful decision for Democrats...

Because at least one judge on the MN Supreme court gave donations and voted for Coleman and that same judge will be making a decision on whether Franken or Coleman will prevail in the up coming decision?

That republican judge should of disqualified himself....but slimy republicans don't do that kind of thing, they like a fixed game...this same republican judge was slick enough in the proceedings and publicly scolded Coleman's legal team during the verbal preliminary hearing to make it seem as though he was impartial but on this oviously partisan judge still sits ....republicans are truly diabolical.

Even if the MN court decides in Franken's favor I wouldn't get my hopes up too high on Franken being seated any time soon....Strangely, the MN Court is taking a long time and may find a way to deny Franken his rightful seat....the Dems in congress & pres. should and better be all over this and not be their usual passive spineless selves if the ruling does indeed go against Franken (though there won't be much anyone can really do).....

This is a six year senate seat the republicans are trying to steal.

The MN Republican Guv refuses to certify the election for democrat Franken until after MN high Court has a ruling but who knows if Coleman wins or the republicans take it up to the federal court...

The republican party is obviously paying for Coleman to continue his court battles and prolonging them as long as possible....so what's to stop the republicans from taking the case to the US Supreme Court if they lose in MN court?

It's to the republicans advantage to prolong this, one less important democratic senate vote and who knows, maybe the republicans will get lucky and get it overturned by the Federal court...

We shouldn't be over confident about the up coming ruling....money doesn't mean shit to the republicans. they will gladly spend as much as necessary to prolong this forever if they can and they still have another big option....And who knows what will happen in court.

But my point is who knows, we could all be in for a BIG outrage & disappointment with no place to turn!

[Psephos]

25. s.d. - wrong thread

[GreenTea]

27. No problem.

[downindixie]

29. If I were the feds,I would be keeping a close eye

on the money trail and the judges bank account.

[defendandprotect]

32. That's what I'm thinking . . . Court seems to be rather delayed . . ???

[MGKrebs]

47. "No place to turn"?

What, Dems don't get to appeal? Only Repubs?

[dflprincess]

49. Your characterization of the Minnesota Supreme Court is not accurate

We have been fortunate in Minnesota that our Supreme Court, regardless of who appointed the justices (they are usually appointed first, but then stand for election every 6 years or so), has stayed above politics. If they are taking a long time I would expect it to be because they are writing an opinion that will hold up - regardless of which way it goes.

Three of the justices, two of them Republicans, did recuse themselves because they had been involved earlier in the recount process.

"MN Republican Guv refuses to certify the election for democrat Franken until after MN high Court has a ruling".

As much as it pains me to defend Pawlenty, he has not refused to do anything here. Minnesota law does not allow a certificate to be issued while an election is being disputed in state courts.

This is not Florida. The whole recount saga, while tedious, has been open and honest.

[Bette Noir]

2. Wasn't the ruling supposed to come down last week?

Does Franken get to collect back pay for all the time since the election? Can he sue the Republican Party for lost wages? America wants to know.

[lindisfarne]

4. There were some rumors to that effect but I don't know the source. Obviously, it didn't. nt

[lindisfarne]

3. Keeping Franken out of office is costing the GOP a lot - and allowing Coleman to keep his war chest.

The GOP wants this appealed to the US Supreme Court.
That means there will be pressure for Coleman to do it, and Pawlenty to refuse to sign the election certificate once the MN Supreme Court declares Franken the winner.

Pawlenty's dilemma: piss off MN voters, or kiss ass to national party. MN voters, all but the most idiotic GOPers, think this should be over and think the courts have done a very good job in implementing the laws. Also, the absentee ballots declared invalid under law that the court declared inadmissible - and which are the reason for the lawsuits - are unlikely to tilt the balance in Coleman's favor. There aren't that many of them. So does Pawlenty risk his political future over something that only accomplishes keeping Franken out of the Senate for a month or so more?

[rasputin1952]

7. They still have the certifiably insane Bachmann...

I really feel for MN voters...:(

[lindisfarne]

12. Bachman is from a district that likes her. Rich, snobby, selfish. They'll probably re-elect her. nt

[Stellabella]

13. That area isn't particularly rich. It is, however, filled with

stupid, hateful white people who hate the government while taking handouts from it.

The counties in the 6th district are 97-98% white. And dumb.

[glinda]

45. It is true that the area is and has been predominately white. It is also true that

there is a fairly good size University also so there are students. For this reason it is also changing as well as having a good size and growing Muslum community. She can stir the pot on hatred. The Eastern portion of the District has witnesses large changes in the last 10 years and there is a good amount of money there although I understand she did the Church circuit to promote herself. The more information that is out there on her though the better and I think she will face a difficult re-election provided there is a good candidate.

[dflprincess]

50. Despite some changes in demographics

the entire state remains predominately white. Of the approximately 5.2 million people in the state 89% are white.


http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/27000.html

[glinda]

52. True. All the more reason with the growth and change in demographics of emerging

non-white groups she can "stir the pot of hatred". She is evil and a control freak.

[Somawas]

14. Don't be so tough on Bachmann

She is, of course, certifiably insane. Crazy with an extra helping of crazy.

OTOH, she provides some comic relief, and she's the perfect running mate for Palin.

[Turbineguy]

21. Yes,

mustn't be piggy!

Also there must be plenty more crazed idiots who qualify for a GOP nomination.

[VaYallaDawg]

33. I didn't know who she was - just read up on her in Wikipedia - WOW!

Her bio has TFC stamped all over it. Some of the legislation that dingbat has sponsored defies description. And I see she belongs to a denomination that teaches that the pope is the Anti-Christ (although she says that's not true).

What a piece of work.

[Somawas]

35. As idiots go, she's a national treasure.

We're not going to own 100% of the House, ever. So why not hang onto the Goopers who are absolute, certifiable, full-blown batshit crazy with a bag of chips?

[rasputin1952]

5. Norm Coleman...Moneypit...

He lost, leave it to the GOP to find another way to embarass itself...:D

[lindisfarne]

6. From Star-Tribune (nothing earth shattering; just a few more accounting details)

Coleman is awaiting word from Minnesota's Supreme Court on whether Democrat Al Franken's 312-vote lead will stand. The race has languished nearly eight months beyond Election Day.

The NRSC raised about $250,000 in May toward the Minnesota recount, mostly in $30,000 checks.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee didn't itemize its Minnesota-related expenses. That committee reported raising $282,000 in contributions earmarked for the recount.

[rasputin1952]

10. Shouldn't be too hard to find ot who's ponying up the cash...

Want to bet a couple of fat-cat GOP'ers are financing the whole thing through stooges?

I can't picture many MN's handing over $30,000 of their hard earned cash to help this asshole. MN's know he lost, this cash must be coming from very few sources...an investigation is in order here. Round 'em up and toss 'em into the clink...:D

[lindisfarne]

11. $250K was raised in $30,000 checks per Star-Tribune. That's just 8.33 people. lol n/t

[jmowreader]

43. I think you're right, this is definitely coming in from out of state

With Franken in the Senate, we have, nominally, 60 votes--enough to do any damn thing we want without worrying about the threat of filibuster. Without him, they don't have this majority and they still seem to be in charge. (Why in FUCK we can't put up a good bill America likes but the GOP does not, let them launch a filibuster then start taking polls to show these morans just how shallow their pool of support is, I do not know. Look, the last time the GOP threw a major legislative hissy fit was when Newt Gingrich shut down the government because the Big Dog wouldn't talk to him on Air Force One, and it backfired on them big time. It could happen again, especially since We The People are in large part sick of their shit.)

I think if you followed the money trail all the way down you'd be looking at either Richard Mellon Scaife, FreedomWorks, or Americans for Tax Reform. To you and I they have spent a shitload of money keeping the Senate from attaining 60 Democratic members, but in their little world they haven't spent all that much. Oh, they may have to defer their next bulk buy of Ann Coulter books to pay for this, but to them it's worth it.

[iandhr]

8. good waste money on a loosing battle

[damntexdem]

9. Not the 'Norm Coleman' fight:

the fight to delay Franken's rightful seating in the U.S. Senate.

[Blaze Diem]

16. Norm should be held accountable for Franken's legal fees, & Senatorial back wages .

Coleman is a hateful little man.

[KansDem]

17. Damn straight! Didn't the GOP used to criticize "nuisance lawsuits?"

If ever there was a nuisance, it's Norm Coleman!

[KansDem]

18. This, from the "Party of Fiscal Responsibility"

:eyes:

[GreenTea]

19. IF Franken indeed wins....Coleman is & has been pushed by the republican party to

prolong this as long as possible....it's certainly to the slimy republicans advantage to do so, as we see every single day that lost & uncounted democratic vote that the republicans have and are keeping out of the democratic process....Including the important upcoming health care the absolutely necessary public option vote, that same Dem vote (republicans have successfully so far kept from voting) becomes very important......and the republicans know this very well and have a chance to prolong Franken taking his seat to vote by taking the case to the federal court.

Money means nothing to the republicans, it's a great investment for the republicans and has already paid off for them....

It's ALL about prolonging this case and keeping that Dem vote from being cast....and who knows how Coleman will make out in a republican majority 5 to 4 US Supreme Court....So the money being spent by the republicans is well spent!

[AlinPA]

38. The US SC will vote 5-4 on the side of Coleman. They will take the case. It will be a

slam dunk for him. There is no way that the republican controlled US SC will reject the case and one of their own.

[rvablue]

24. Interesting point you raise. While some have advocated that he be seated for a 6-year term

from the day he is sworn in, I simply don't find that feasible or realistic or probably, Constitutional.

But there should be some effort to recoupe his lost (back) pay as Senator. That seems just. Franken certainly isn't out on the comedy circuit right now.

I think Normie, on the other hand, is already drawing a pay check from a lobbying firm, IIRC?

[glinda]

44. Ruling was that Norm had to pay half of what was asked so far.

[liberal N proud]

20. All to move forward an agenda of Obstruction

[Blaze Diem]

22. Good Point - Interesting to find out what MN law says as to Obstruction..

Back at cha Norm.

[GreenTea]

23. If Coleman wins it becomes a mute point.

[Thor_MN]

36. You mean it won't be able to speak?

[Psephos]

26. 25. that's good - let them throw the money down a hole instead of use it for viable candidates eom

[GreenTea]

28. Money means nothing to the republicans, it's a great investment for the republicans and has already

paid off for them extremely well!

Just imagine if Franken and his sure democratic vote had been voting all this time (the past six months) on every issue, and counted on for future issues...

Right now Franken's vote can't even be counted on, not in the future either because the republicans are willing to spend what ever is necessary to prolong this case and take it to the next level (Federal) in hopes Coleman could pull this out in the conservative 5-4 republican majority U.S. Supreme Court.

If this does go to the US Supreme Court this case may not even be heard until after the summer recess, the Court won't resume until October, then there's the waiting period for the High Courts final ruling....

Who knows how the Minnesota Supreme Court will even rule? (Let's NOT be so over confident on the up-coming courts ruling).

So even if Coleman loses in State & Federal Courts, those republicans bucks will have been well spent for them.

[and-justice-for-all]

30. what else do they have to spend money on...losers

Franken won, hands down. "Coleman is awaiting word from Minnesota's Supreme Court on whether Democrat Al Franken's 312-vote lead will stand." LOL, uh sorry dumbass, but you lost by 312 votes.

[defendandprotect]

31. The Court's failure to confirm Franken thus far makes me wonder if all that money . . .

has bought something?

[GreenTea]

34. My exact thoughts as well.

[AlinPA]

39. It is starting to look that way. It is taking too long.

[sofa king]

37. That's nothing compared to what they bought for it.

They've bought five months of time to try to hide the enormity of their corruption, while delaying any progress on a solution so that they can point the finger at us for not getting anything done.

That in the meantime they allow hundreds of thousands of families to be swept over the falls and delay full representation in Congress to five million Americans is irrelevant to their purposes and their cause.

[Cha]

40. Rec'd~ Is this what they call a

vipers' money pit?

[No Elephants]

41. They are not raising money for Norm. They are raising it by telling fake horror stories about what

happen if the Democrats get 60 Senators.

I don't know if it will matter, unless the Blue Dogs, Lieberman and Specter all vote with the Democrats at least on invoking cloture. Once the specter (no pun intended) of fillibuster is gone, things will reguire only 51 votes in the Senate.

God forbid, something might actually get done!

If so, we will really see just how Republicrat our favorite Democrat is or is not. It may be an eye opener

[Blue_Tires]

42. how much longer for a decision? why the stalling from the court?

[cojoel]

46. struggling with ordering the certification from Pawlenty

There is no existing case law on whether to order Pawlenty to sign the certification of election. When there is no case law they have to dig into the "intent" of the legistlature, find case law from federal cases or other states, and otherwise figure out what to do. They want their order to stand through certiorari at the Federal level.

[Laelth]

48. Interesting.

A "Writ of Mandamus" is the pleading to file that requests an Order from the judicial branch that compels an office of the executive branch to do his or her legal duty. There's plenty of case law on that. Marbury v. Madison is a "Writ of Mandamus" case.

I would think that Franken, if he wins, would have to file a Writ of Mandamus to get an order compelling the Governor to certify him if the Governor refuses to do so after the Supreme Court has ruled that Franken won.

I suspect there's a dissenting opinion, and the justices are passing their opinions around and re-writing them after learning what the other side is arguing. This happens frequently in important cases where there's a strong dissent.

:dem:

-Laelth

[The Wizard]

51. Impeach Scalia and Thomas

Then the United States Republican Supreme Court gets balanced. There is good cause to impeach both of them like not recusing themselves from Bush v. Gore for conflicts of interest.
Scalia's son worked for the firm representing bush and Thomas' wife was on the Bush transition team.
There's more on Scalia, like ruling on a case involving a personal friend.

[Vidar]

53. A pity the Dems didn't fight that hard four years ago in Ohio. Except for Jesse Jackson,

the Greens & Libertarians were the only ones to fight, for which I & many others--at the time--were grateful.