Closing arguments going on in Franken/Coleman contest

[footinmouth]

The closing arguments are going on as we speak in the Franken/Coleman election contest. The trial has been going on for 35 days. It looks like Minnesota might have their senator by next week. You can watch the coverage at http://www.theuptake.org/ .

[Warpy]

1. As soon as he's shot down again

providing he is shot down again, he'll just file another nuisance suit.

My guess is that he will keep this going as long as he can with Pawlenty's cooperation.

[kickysnana]

2. The court stated that the "winner" of this contest would be seated despite any appeals. n/t

[Warpy]

3. Appeal, yes. Second, third, fourth and fifth lawsuits, not so much

My guess is that he will attempt to keep this going and Pawlenty will play along. Yay team.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Wait, I want an appeal! an injunction! a something!

The good senator-in-waiting Coleman will not go down without a fight. Not as long as he can find someone to fund his lawyers.

Election results are for wimps!

:hi:

[Rosco T.]

6. can I get a reference for that? I need to shove it up a freepers nose.

[footinmouth]

8. Here is the ruling you are looking for

http://www.mncourts.gov/opinions/sc/current/OPA090064-0306.pdf

It says that a certificate of election is not required to seat a US Senator.

"2. There is no federal statutory mandate that a state issue a certificate of election by the date designated by Congress for commencement of newly-elected Senators’ terms, and because the Senate has authority under U.S. Const. art. I, § 5, to seat a Senator without a state-issued certificate of election, application of Minn. Stat. § 204C.40, subd. 2, to an election for the Senate does not usurp the Senate’s authority and does not conflict with federal law."

Petition denied.
O P I N I O N
PER CURIAM.

[tabatha]

5. If you are listening, Coleman's lawyer is a chump.

[footinmouth]

7. I have watched this every day

By order of the court, the Coleman campaign needed to show that the votes he wanted to be counted met the standards of a legal Minnesota ballot. I don't feel he's done that. In contrast, the Franken legal team brought in the actual voters as witnesses and also brought in the election official for their county. They were probably able to add an additional 50 votes or so to the pool of votes to be counted. The Coleman team has spent its time whining about inconsistent acceptance standards by various counties. I don't think they have a leg to stand on so I'll be very surprised if the Franken team does not prevail when this is over.