Monday, January 05, 2009

Franken Close to Final Victory in Minnesota

Ever since I mistakenly discounted Al Franken's chances in his Senate race with Norm Coleman, I've been following the recount process in Minnesota with increasing elation. Sometimes it's really a pleasure to be wrong. Franken has been ahead in the count for some time, and it now looks like he is the winner. According to the latest Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune story I could find (Minnesota canvassing board expected to say that Democrat Al Franken is winner in Senate race, Amy Forliti, 05 January 2009), Franken is up by 255 votes (out of almost 3 million), and the State Canvassing Board appears ready to certify the results. Coleman still has some options for further legal challenges, but they look more and more like last ditch obstructionist tactics that will only delay the inevitable. Cool!
It's been amusing to read the irate comments of some Coleman supporters who can't accept the conclusion that reality has not gone their way this time. A common theme has been that Franken and the Democratic Party have somehow "stolen" the election. People have such short memories. But that's just one of the things that makes these comment threads so much fun to read...!
Update added later: It's official, a done deal! Franken's victory speech is on AP video via YouTube:

4 Comments:

Blogger La vita Alessandria said...

Steve: This is such good news!! If the point hasn't been driven home in the last few years, how EVERY VOTE COUNTS, perhaps this will convince people. I don't think anyone in the US can any longer say that they don't vote because their vote doesn't count.
Rachel

January 7, 2009 at 3:15 AM  
Blogger Steven Levery said...

True. Although it could also save a pile of trouble if everyone makes an effort to fill out their ballots correctly.

January 7, 2009 at 4:19 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

see i do read your guys' blogs...


and yay!

January 8, 2009 at 10:04 AM  
Blogger Steven Levery said...

Always good to hear from you!

January 14, 2009 at 12:12 PM  

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