[vc318]

Originally Posted by Callace (View Post) That he cheated on his wife is of course a horrible misdeed, but does it really disqualify him from his office? Or should it rather be considered a private matter, which makes him no less capable at his job.

No but then again, when I think about how the Republican party thought Clinton should be impeached immediately because of his affair with Monica Lewinsky - it just seems a little two-faced is all. I understand that nobody is perfect but don't come out and condone one official's behavior over the other just because of different political views, which is exactly what the Republican party is doing.

[dudeNchief]

the universe sure does love irony

[Callace]

yeah, that case was just ridiculous as well. Complete set up. I'm glad it didnt go through

[Bella Grint]

It's funny because he went all the way to Argentina! You gotta think, if Clinton/Edwards/Giulani went that far the suspicion or atleast shock wouldn't be so much because presidents or candidates travel quite a bit (that might be too far for a candidate though) but Stanford was just a governor. Not that it undermines him, but I doubt he'd have business that far. he left his family/city/state that he represented behind so ofcourse it looks worse especially on Fathers Day! I hate what the Republican party is doing especially if it's only because of political views. Political affiliation doesn't make one person or situation better than the other. Especially cheating.

[vc318]

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Franken for MN Senate Seat - ABC News

Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Seat, State Supreme Court Rules

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of comedian-turned-Democratic candidate Al Franken in his prolonged battle to become a U.S. Senator.

"I received a very gracious call from Sen. Coleman. He wished me well. And we agreed that it is time to bring this state together," said Senator-elect Franken during his victory speech outside his home in Minnesota.

"I'm also humbled, not just by the closeness of this election, but by the enormity of the responsibility that comes with this office," he added.

"The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken and I respect its decision and will abide by the result. It's time for Minnesota to come together under the leaders it has chosen and move forward. I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States Senator – Al Franken," said former Sen. Norm Coleman in his concession speech outside his home in St. Paul, MN.

Mr. Coleman added that in a phone conversation with Mr. Franken he told the former Saturday Night Live cast member that he is about to begin "the best job he'll ever have." Sen. Coleman refused to speak about his political future. He said those decisions will come in the days to come and he plans to make an announcement next week.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) has announced he is not running for reelection next year which has created an open seat contest for the state's highest job.

Out of more than 2.4 million votes cast, Franken bested Republican Norm Coleman by 312 votes. Today's court ruling marks the end of this extremely extended process.

Franken's defeat over Coleman provides Democrats with a super-majority in the U.S. Senate with 60 seats on their side of the aisle. President Obama clearly won't be able to count on all 60 votes on every single issue, but it certainly provides a boost to the White House and Harry Reid as they enter into policy negotiations with the Republican leadership in the Senate.

It takes 60 votes to cut off a filibuster in the U.S. Senate. The seating of Al Franken potentially robs an embattled Republican Party of one of the strongest weapons of opposition in its arsenal.

"I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic Senator, I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota and that is how I am going to do this job," said Franken in his victory speech outside of his home in Minnesota.

"The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve. After all the votes have been counted and recounted, the Minnesota Supreme Court has made the final determination that Minnesotans have chosen Al Franken to help their state and our country get back on track," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

It appears Senator-elect Franken (D-MN) will be getting right into the thick of things when he arrives in Washington, DC next week to be sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator. The two major issues dominating Capitol Hill this summer, health care legislation and the Sotomayor nomination, will be falling under his jurisdiction. Mr. Franken announced today that he will be serving on the HELP, Judiciary, Indian Affairs, and Aging committees in the United States Senate.

It's been 239 days since Minnesota voters headed to the polls to vote for a U.S. Senator. In that time, Barack Obama filled his Cabinet (including three Commerce Secretary nominations), Caroline Kennedy considered and declined the chance to become a U.S. Senator, Congress passed a whopping $787 billion stimulus package, Arlen Specter became a Democrat, and Michelle Obama planted and harvested a White House vegetable garden.

"We've always said that Norm Coleman deserved his day in court, and he got eight months. Now we expect Governor Pawlenty to do the right thing, follow the law, and sign the election certificate," said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

Gov. Pawlenty issued a statement this afternoon indicating he is ready to sign the election certificate. "In light of [the court] decision and Senator Coleman's announcement that he will not be pursuing an appeal, I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law," said Pawlenty.

It appears the court ruled that Gov. Pawlenty should do just that. "We affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled. . . to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota," wrote the court in its ruling today.

Sen. Coleman, R-Minn., found himself ahead of Franken by 215 votes at the conclusion of the vote canvass in mid-November 2008. The margin between the two candidates was less than one half of one percent, which automatically triggered a recount.

At the conclusion of the recount in January 2009, Franken had overtaken Coleman's lead and the Minnesota State Canvassing Board certified the election results with a 225 vote victory for the Democrat.

The next day, the Coleman campaign filed a lawsuit in Minnesota state court contesting the results of the election. The three judge panel that heard the Coleman contest allowed for consideration of only about 400 wrongly rejected absentee ballots. Coleman's legal team had argued for a far wider universe of thousands of absentee ballots to be reexamined because of what the Coleman campaign believed to be different treatment of absentees in different counties.

Great news for Minnesota. I'm sure Mr. Franken will do a great job.

[wanderer78]

It'll be interesting to see how he does. I'm not so sure about entertainers being elected to office. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[vc318]

^ I know but maybe he'll do an even better job - better than Arnold and all of them out there.

[ceilirose]

Well a B-List movie star (Reagan) was elected President and to Conservatives he was their hero. Franken needs a chance to show what he can do - the whole drawn out spectacle was a travesty. He should have been declared Senator weeks, months ago.

[dudeNchief]

Senator Franken

this should be interesting

[vc318]

Originally Posted by ceilirose (View Post) Well a B-List movie star (Reagan) was elected President and to Conservatives he was their hero. Franken needs a chance to show what he can do - the whole drawn out spectacle was a travesty. He should have been declared Senator weeks, months ago.

But wasn't it a close race between Franken and that other guy? I think another run-off was needed.

[ceilirose]

Originally Posted by vc318 (View Post) But wasn't it a close race between Franken and that other guy? I think another run-off was needed.

It was close and the closeness of that election last November resulted in an automatic recount.

Franken went ahead and then his opponent (Coleman) started the delaying tactics. Franken's win gives the Democrats 60 seats in the Senate which I believe can override a filibuster. I think that's why Coleman and the Republicans put up such a fight.

Not that it matters - the conservative Democrats seem to side with the Republicans anyway.

[vc318]

Originally Posted by ceilirose (View Post) Not that it matters - the conservative Democrats seem to side with the Republicans anyway.

I know - some are just "Democrats" by name but nothing else.

[johnnya2k8]

JUST BREAKING NOW: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to step down in a few weeks; reins will be handed to Lieutenant Gov. Sean Parnell.

[vc318]

Originally Posted by johnnya2k8 (View Post) JUST BREAKING NOW: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to step down in a few weeks; reins will be handed to Lieutenant Gov. Sean Parnell.

I was just going to post this! Maybe she's had enough and is going to spend some time with the family, who knows? So, what's the news with the guy who is going to take her place?

[ceilirose]

In terms of a politician's public meltdown I thought that Mark Sanford's speech would never be topped. But I was wrong - Palin has that distinction today.