Say hello to Sen. Franken (D-MN): Minnesota Court Denies Coleman's "Double-Counting" Lawsuit

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Minnesota Supremes Shoot Down Crucial Coleman Lawsuit, Making A Franken Win Nearly Certain

Norm Coleman just got a Christmas present from the Minnesota Supreme Court: A giant lump of coal.

In a unanimous decision handed down just now, the state Supremes denied Coleman any relief in a lawsuit he was waging to deal with allegations of double-counted absentee ballots, which his campaign says have given an illegitimate edge to Al Franken. The Coleman campaign was seeking to switch 25 selected precincts back to their Election Night totals, which would undo all of Franken's recount gains in those areas and put Coleman back in the lead.

The court, however, sided with the Franken camp's lawyers in saying that a question like this should be reserved for a post-recount election contest proceeding, as the proper forum to discover evidence -- and which also has a burden of proof that heavily favors the certified winner.

More: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/minnesota_supremes_shoot_down.php

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You know, before this hubbub started, I thought our Supreme Court was controlled by Pawlenty buddies... I have to give them their due, they've impressed me.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Yeah! Thank goodness! nt

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2. I'll drink to that tonight :D

[opihimoimoi]

3. I guess Norm pissed off just enough to make the diff....Congrats AL, ya did well

and ...somehow....ya had Norms Help....Ya did a very good job...

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Well at least he'll have coal to keep warm

Oh wait...never mind

Now who is keeping a camera on Bill'os head?

I want to see that explosion!

[ColbertWatcher]

5. He's got enough votes, the Minnesota Supreme Court agrees, and doggon it, he's your Senator!

Congratulations, Minnesota!

[Robbien]

6. Hold on. Not yet, they still have to count the rejected absentee ballots.

They expect to count them on Jan 4th.

[camera obscura]

7. Well, we'll see how many of those get counted. Either way they're sure to swing for Franken.

Absentees are disproportionately Democratic, especially in a year when the Dems have the momentum.

[book_worm]

8. We'll see but I'm not ready to uncork the champagne just yet.

[BlooInBloo]

9. WOOOT! Now THAT'S what I call a christmas present!

:)

[Mabus]

10. It's a Festivus Miracle

Norm aired his grievances and tried his hand at his feat of strengths and the MN Supreme Court laughed.

[roguevalley]

11. count your blessings, my darlings. Al Franken, Senator. Awesome. Perhaps

Caroline too. Consider us: just dumped Ted Stevens, stuck with Don young and the gov is Sarah Palin. NO ONE HAS IT WORSE! Not even Illinois. Merry Christmas to all and to all in Minnesota especially. I can't wait to see this man in action.

[phusion]

12. You know what...

he is good enough, smart enough...and, gosh darn it, people DO like him!

[jeanmarc]

13. Hello, Al!

It's just a matter of time now. :party:

[lib2DaBone]

14. You mean courts exist to weigh facts on rule of law?

Well Dang... don't that beat all? If only we had more activist Judges..... just sayin'......

I thought Judges only existed to extract money from as many people in the court room as possible.

[scarletwoman]

15. Sorry, but this is just one step in the long process yet to come.

The Coleman camp is CERTAIN to file an "election contest" suit with the Mn Supreme Court the very minute the Canvassing Board declares its conclusions.

In fact, the Court's decision basically said that the Coleman people were jumping the gun on filing this petition, that the proper protocol was that they have to wait until the Canvassing Board completes its work, and THEN file their objections in a formal "Election Contest" suit.

This ain't over by a long shot.

sw