Al Franken's ever-shrinking vote deficit

[marmar]

from the MSP Star-Trib:


Franken's deficit: 237 votes
Sen. Norm Coleman's Democratic challenger is vowing to push ahead with a recount.
By PATRICIA LOPEZ, Star Tribune

Last update: November 7, 2008 - 9:32 AM


Just as Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was explaining to reporters the recount process in one of the narrowest elections in Minnesota history, an aide rushed in with news: Pine County's Partridge Township had revised its vote total upward -- another 100 votes for Democratic candidate Al Franken, putting him within .011 percentage points of Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman.

The reason for the change? Exhausted county officials had accidentally entered 24 for Franken instead of 124 when the county's final votes were tallied at 5:25 Wednesday morning.

"That's why we have recounts," Ritchie said, surveying the e-mail sent in from the county auditor. "Human error. People make mistakes."

The margin in the tightest Senate race in the country bounced like the stock market throughout the day, with the difference between Coleman and Franken dropping, then rising briefly to 590 votes before shooting down to a razor-thin 237 as of 9:27 a.m.

In a reversal of the previous day, when Coleman had declared victory and suggested that Franken should waive a recount, Coleman kept to himself on Thursday, while Franken called reporters to talk about the prospects for a continued narrowing of the count. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/34024274.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

[ORDagnabbit]

1. how can he vow to push ahead with a government mandated recount? he has no input into it.

[ogneopasno]

2. The recount is automatic unless he calls them off. But yes, the headline could be clearer.

[Love Bug]

3. He does have the option to stop it, which is what Coleman wants him to do

[DireStrike]

4. Not entirely true - he could concede.

Which would be stupid. I'm amazed that Coleman wasn't laughed out of town for suggesting it. It's such an obvious ploy to call for concession when the vote is this close.... He is scared. How can anyone not see that?

[DefenseLawyer]

5. My understanding is a candidate can waive the recount under Minnesota law

even when it would otherwise be required by statute.

[Blues Heron]

6. Kick for Al! n/t

[droidamus2]

7. Okay

Since Coleman thought his earlier 'lead' was enough to call the election should Franken take him up on the offer once Franken gets a lead. Franken : "Coleman I just noticed I now have a 200 vote lead and I was thinking about that no recount thing and I think you have a point. Why don't we have a joint press conference and you can concede".

[Redbear]

8. link to results page

http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races=%27%27


Go Al!

[LiberalFighter]

9. Should be easier for Franken to gain enough votes in the recount.