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PrintDemocrat Franken wins protracted Minn. Senate race
Wed Jul 1, 2009 3:17 AM EDT
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WEST ST PAUL — Al Franken refused his rival's calls for an election night concession last November, choosing instead to begin vote counting and courtroom haggling that stretched almost eight months and ultimately landed him a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Franken's victory over Republican Norm Coleman gives Democrats 60 Senate seats, the critical number needed to overcome Republican filibusters. When Franken is seated, which could come as early as next week, his party will have a majority not reached on either side of the aisle in some three decades.
Coleman conceded the election hours after a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Franken — who moved into politics with books poking fun at conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh — should be certified the winner. In doing so, Coleman pulled the plug on a bitter election that was decided by 312 votes out of almost 2.9 million cast.
"When you win an election this close, you know not one bit of effort went to waste," Franken told reporters outside his downtown Minneapolis town house, accompanied by his wife. "The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator, I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from Minnesota."
Coleman could have carried his fight into federal court, but it was unlikely to overturn the state Supreme Court's decision.
"Sure I wanted to win. I thought we had a better case. But the court has spoken," Coleman said outside his St. Paul home. Appearing relaxed and upbeat, Coleman said he congratulated Franken and had no regrets about the fight. He brushed aside a question about whether he would run for governor in 2010.
Franken declared his candidacy more than two years ago, and he and Coleman combined to spend $50 million pursuing the seat. That's more than double what was spent in 2002, when Coleman won the seat that had been held by the late Paul Wellstone.
Both Franken and Coleman kept low profiles in the months since Election Day, though Franken has taken some steps to ensure a quick transition by appointing a staff in waiting that includes communications staffers, a chief of staff and a state director.
"We've been doing a lot. I've been going back and forth to Washington," Franken said Tuesday. "We've been using this time, I think, pretty productively."
Franken said he had been told his assignments would include the Judiciary Committee, a role that would put him immediately in the thick of confirmation hearings over Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.
He told Minnesota Public Radio on Wednesday that he wants to ask Sotomayor about her views on campaign finance reform.
When Coleman ended election night ahead by several hundred votes, he called on Franken to concede. The Democrat refused, and the thin margin triggered an automatic recount that put Franken ahead by 225 votes. Coleman challenged those results, but a review by a three-judge panel expanded Franken's lead to 312 votes.
Coleman appealed to the state's high court, arguing election officials across Minnesota were inconsistent with rules on absentee ballots, unfairly robbing thousands of people of their votes. But the state's high court voted 5-0 that there was no reason to apply a more lenient standard in judging absentees, as Coleman wanted, than the law required.
"I think what you had was 12 judges look at this through the canvassing process, through the recount and throughout the trial, and all agreeing unanimously that I won more votes than anybody else in the election," Franken said.
Franken, 58, has come a long way from the goofy 1980s "SNL" skits where he mocked politicians, portrayed the self-affirming Stuart Smalley and pranced around in little more than a Speedo. His career evolved in the 1990s with books harpooning Limbaugh and he later gained a liberal following as a radio show host on the "Air America" network.
Minnesota has put an entertainer in office before. In 1998, former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura captured the governor's office with an outsider third-party run. He served one term, then resumed private life without seeking re-election.
___
Associated Press Special Correspondent David Espo and AP Writer Henry C. Jackson contributed to this report from Washington. AP Writer Patrick Condon contributed from Minneapolis.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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- Regions: United States , Minneapolis/Saint Paul
 | GOP's Coleman concedes, sending Franken to Senate | Associated Press | Tue Jun 30 | 83 |
 | Court Rules Franken Has Won Senate Race; Coleman Concedes | The New York Times | Tue Jun 30 | 1 |
| Franken Wins Again, Coleman Concedes « The Raabe Review | The Raabe Review | Wed Jul 1 | 0 |
| The Democratic Party | democrats.org | Wed Jul 1 | 0 |
| Which Al Franken will show up in Washington? | Associated Press | Wed Jul 1 | 5 |
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{"commentId":7960776,"authorDomain":"eric24"}
Franken is a tool.
{"commentId":7960776,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"eric24"}
- 1 vote
#1 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 4:48 AM EDT{"commentId":7960836,"authorDomain":"tappymcwidestance"}
Yet he still won. What does that say about the quality of the Republicans?
{"commentId":7960836,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tappymcwidestance"}
- 7 votes
{"commentId":7962520,"authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
Jesse Ventura is a tool, too. And yet... Coleman can't beat either one of them. Enjoy that @!$%#burger!
{"commentId":7962520,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":7963852,"authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
This election reminds me of the 1960 Presidential election, when JFK won a close election with the reported help of a lot of dead folks in Chicago. This time the Dems adroitly worked the system to achieve their desired result. The 1960 election brought us Vietnam, and the Great Society. Hopefully, the cost of the Coleman / Franken election won't be as high.
{"commentId":7963852,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
{"commentId":7965121,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Seriously? This election was more scrutinized than any other election in US history and you think that there was some funny stuff going on??
I have taken to imagining myself hitting certain people in the head with a shovel when they say things that are blatantly stupid, or hypocritical. This comment section has provided me with lots of imagination time.
{"commentId":7965121,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7976891,"authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
The 1960 election brought us Vietnam, and the Great Society.
Actually, George, the assassination of President Kennedy brought us Vietnam and the Great Society. Kennedy actually wanted to get out of Vietnam.
Hopefully, the cost of the Coleman / Franken election won't be as high.
Well, you are comparing a current Senatorial election with a 50-year-old Presidential election. I would say something like 'apples and oranges', but you would probably respond with something like 'Huhhh, what does that mean?'
{"commentId":7976891,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7960832,"authorDomain":"tappymcwidestance"}
Poor Norm. He'll be losing his government health care now.
{"commentId":7960832,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tappymcwidestance"}
- 3 votes
#2 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 5:10 AM EDT{"commentId":7962479,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
no... he gets to keep that for life.
{"commentId":7962479,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7961293,"authorDomain":"kerwynw"}
Coleman is a disgrace. He got elected after the tragic death of Paul Wellstone and rather than concede defeat he dragged this out for seven months and now has the nerve to say that his decision to concede was because its not about me but about the people. Sounds ok but the Minnesota Supreme Court forced his hand by the 5-0 decision rejecting his umpteenth challenge and the people of Minnesota had no representation in the U.S. Senate for seven months because of this clown.
{"commentId":7961293,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kerwynw"}
- 1 vote
#3 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:23 AM EDT{"commentId":7963661,"authorDomain":"basseq"}
Coleman is a disgrace. ... rather than concede defeat he dragged this out for seven months...
Reading is hard.
Al Franken refused his rival's calls for an election night concession last November, choosing instead to begin vote counting and courtroom haggling that stretched almost eight months and ultimately landed him a seat in the U.S. Senate.
{"commentId":7963661,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"basseq"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":7963906,"authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
Why should Coleman concede defeat in November, when he clearly won the election, as would be conceded by any but the most partisan Democratic hack ? The clown is the guy going to the Senate, to join the rest of the troupe. I wonder if you can get them all in one small car, as they do in the circus ?
{"commentId":7963906,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7965310,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Of course Republicans lack comprehension skills.
The recount happened because state law said it had to... Franken took the lead after the recount, and through successive recounts prompted by colman, franken kept gaining ground. Colman then took it to court to get absentee ballots that he wanted counted to be considered... the ballots did not conform to the rules that a valid absentee ballot must follow so no court in MN allowed them resulting in the end of counting and Franken winning based on the legal vote tally.
{"commentId":7965310,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7968072,"authorDomain":"basseq"}
My point is that your comment (#3) is at best technically incorrect and at worst intentionally misleading.
{"commentId":7968072,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"basseq"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":7961355,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
Ahhhh. Al Franken as senator. The left finally has its cherry on top of the Obama, Reid, and Pelosi whipped cream, on top of the Democrat liberal dung heap. The liberal shi(p) sundae is now being served by shovel to America.
{"commentId":7961355,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:33 AM EDT{"commentId":7961609,"authorDomain":"wallen-1"}
Tell me, arsenal, do those sour grapes make good jelly, or is it just a waste of time?
{"commentId":7961609,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"wallen-1"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":7962294,"authorDomain":"hvymtl83"}
arsenal,
The same can be said when the repubs have the presidency and majorities in Congress. Remember that when it's your side's turn.
{"commentId":7962294,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"hvymtl83"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7963381,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
Sure we put some jerks into office, but we don't know they're jerks at the time. The Democrats know what kind of low clas dolts they offer up to the country. Al Franken is a vulgar clown who will never have respectability in a serious position. He faded out of sight in the show-biz arena so he's trying his act in the Senate. I'm sure his presence will bring foreign respect to America. Why don't you just put maybe Larry Flynt in next?
Hey, Minnesota, why have elections? Just let your Supreme Court pick your Senators. Why spend all the money engineering a rigged process. No sane person believes the outcome was not fraudulent.
{"commentId":7963381,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
{"commentId":7965368,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Hey Arsenal, Why live in reality?
The MN SCOTUS did not pick franken, they ruled that the law will not allow the remaining Absentee ballots to be considered. Franken has more votes than Colman so stop your whining.
{"commentId":7965368,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7966624,"authorDomain":"wallen-1"}
Arsenal wrote:
Sure we put some jerks into office, but we don't know they're jerks at the time.
Not paying attention back then, were you?
The Democrats know what kind of low clas dolts they offer up to the country... He faded out of sight in the show-biz arena so he's trying his act in the Senate.
Like that second-rate actor, the one who was famous for co-starring with a chimp, did? And that Law and Order guy?
{"commentId":7966624,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"wallen-1"}
{"commentId":7967858,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
Not paying attention back then, were you?
Yes I was. That's how I was able to rapidly exclude all Democrats as qualified for the office.
Like that second-rate actor, the one who was famous for co-starring with a chimp, did? And that Law and Order guy?
We put in the actor. You put in the chimp.
The MN SCOTUS did not pick franken, they ruled that the law will not allow the remaining Absentee ballots to be considered. Franken has more votes than Colman so stop your whining.
We know the Supreme Court members are libs. We know that more votes turned up for Franken than voters. We know the vote tally was incomplete and inaccurate for the purpose of giving Franken the seat. The Minnesota Supreme Court picked Franken.
{"commentId":7967858,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
{"commentId":7970343,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
You know nothing arsenal. Colman's challenges were not based on over votes, no credible person even made those allegations.
You are so devoid of reality it is like being in an Ed Wood movie.
{"commentId":7970343,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":7970534,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
I don't want to live in that dark liberal world of yours where all of the walls are colon.
{"commentId":7970534,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
{"commentId":7970626,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Sorry, you do live here, you just choose to think the Colon walls are made of sugar and you constantly lick them to the disgust of all who look your way.
{"commentId":7970626,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7972132,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
Sorry, you do live here,
So you admit living there, where the walls are all colon. Interesting.
{"commentId":7972132,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
{"commentId":7974667,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
I admit to living in the real world. You are the one licking a colon.
{"commentId":7974667,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7982418,"authorDomain":"wallen-1"}
BMS, poking a troll with a stick is fun, sometimes, no?
{"commentId":7982418,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"wallen-1"}
{"commentId":7983192,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
A 4 inch limp stick at that. You might have better luck poking it at that colon.
{"commentId":7983192,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
{"commentId":7961497,"authorDomain":"riverrat09"}
colemans daughter is a babe.
{"commentId":7961497,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"riverrat09"}
#5 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:52 AM EDT{"commentId":7962607,"authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
His wife isn't bad, either...
{"commentId":7962607,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7964033,"authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
Republican women named " Sarah" seem to be good-looking. And at least they don't make your nut sack try a body-cavity retreat, like many of the women on the other side of the political scene.
{"commentId":7964033,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7973587,"authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
I didn't see your post. That was the first thing I noticed too. She's 18 so she's not jail bait.
His wife is a former actress, or model. She's good lookin too.
nut sack try a body-cavity retreat, like many of the women on the other side of the political scene.
Oh comeon now! I'm sure Nancy or Hilary were good looking in their prime.
In all Honesty, the Repubs do seem to have the babes on there side. Anne Coulter is hot IMO too. Though she is a weird hot. By that I mean sometimes she looks a little strange, but when she gets glammed up, she's pretty good lookin.
{"commentId":7973587,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
{"commentId":7974691,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
Nicey.... Grab her crotch before going home with her though. She has an adam's apple.
{"commentId":7974691,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":7977016,"authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
Anne Coulter is hot IMO too. Though she is a weird hot. By that I mean sometimes she looks a little strange, but when she gets glammed up, she's pretty good lookin.
You know, even a strung-out, anorexic crack whore can be 'pretty good lookin' if you 'glam her up' enough. Oh, wait a minute...
{"commentId":7977016,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7961632,"authorDomain":"debrarescuesdogs"}
Bout time this is over. Can we all move on please. The election was several months ago. TIA.
Oh, and YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
{"commentId":7961632,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"debrarescuesdogs"}
#6 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:08 AM EDT{"commentId":7961929,"authorDomain":"gamerk2"}
62 votes and counting. (58 Dems, 2 Independents, and both of Maines Republican Senators).
{"commentId":7961929,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"gamerk2"}
#7 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:34 AM EDT{"commentId":7961957,"authorDomain":"dharris49"}
Just what the country needed. Another comedian in Congress.
{"commentId":7961957,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"dharris49"}
#8 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:35 AM EDT{"commentId":7962504,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
at least he is the first PROFESSIONAL comedian (to paraphrase Keith Olberman from last night)
{"commentId":7962504,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
{"commentId":7962278,"authorDomain":"cappiez"}
Does anyone else see the look on his daughter's face as a "Haha, you suck" look?
{"commentId":7962278,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"cappiez"}
- 1 vote
#9 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:58 AM EDT{"commentId":7962616,"authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
I do I do!! I see it!!
{"commentId":7962616,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7964090,"authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
It looks like an expression of infinite love and sympathy, to me.
{"commentId":7964090,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ulicnyp001"}
{"commentId":7962324,"authorDomain":"Academic"}
{"commentId":7962794,"authorDomain":"ppflock"}
It was a MANATORY recount that put Franken ahead of Coleman, Coleman should have taken his own advice and conceded in December or January instead of draging it out until the Senate summer recess.
Jun 11, 2009 ... A three-judge panel today required Republican Norm Coleman to pay Democrat Al Franken $94,783 to cover court costs in the seven-week US Senate trial.
{"commentId":7962794,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ppflock"}
#11 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:32 AM EDT{"commentId":7972055,"authorDomain":"AalafAlot"}
That all!
Coleman should be paying more damages including to people of the state of MN.
{"commentId":7972055,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"AalafAlot"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":7962846,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
Well, when all of your taxes go up we'll see who is laughing. Look at history and democrats. Do some reading. I am assuming most here are pretty young by the comments that are posted. If you really wanted the Republicans out then vote "Independent". You would think in this day and age with everyone having a huge amount to say that we could actually put an independent in the white house. The bill that is in process right now has "huge" tax increases and the healthcare reform will let the government determine if you live or die. Yes, start getting the facts. MSN and Newsvine aren't the only news sources out there and if you have an opinion start with the facts first. And by the way... it won't be just my generation paying back all of that bailout and stimulous money. It "will" effect those in their 20's and younger unbelievably. The money has to come from somewhere... and don't count on any social security retirement either. Say what you will but Obama had money and connections just like any other senator or president and so does Al Franken. Frankly, I hope my children never know what a "loser" he was prior to being in congress. The way he talked was a discrace. Aren't there better ways to get in the public eye if that is your goal? There does not seem to be a whole lot of morals left out there. I suggest getting the facts straight and take a good look at how these people are going to affect your's and your children's lives.
{"commentId":7962846,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
#12 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:36 AM EDT{"commentId":7963035,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
You show your age by bleating about taxes. Seriously... the tax code during Ike's presidency made the US a better place for everyone to live. Now we live in a corpratocracy with a huge concentration of the wealth at the top of the income bracket, CEOs are no longer loyal to their companies, and the tax system promotes the off shoring of good jobs.
{"commentId":7963035,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":7963268,"authorDomain":"sbrooks473"}
Al Franken is to the left of Senator George McGovern. Franken is in favor of the Orwellian-named Free Choice Act, which would bully workers to join the union or face the dire circumstances. McGovern is, to his credit, opposed to this anti-American proposal.
Minnesotans are about to learn that it is best to vote for the lesser of two evils, and leave one's ideology at home on Election Day.
Tappy McWidestance;
Yet he still won. What does that say about the quality of the Republicans?
It doesn't say anything except that Franken had better lawyers and the state is in dire need of voting reform.
{"commentId":7963268,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"sbrooks473"}
#13 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:00 AM EDT{"commentId":7965455,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
better lawyers? You haven't been paying attention at all.
Franken had more votes than Colman after the MANDETORY recount. Colman's lawyers are the ones that kept winning arguments to get more ballots to be considered and every time they were, the net result was franken's lead widening.
{"commentId":7965455,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7963301,"authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
Am I the only one who thinks Sarah Coleman is really cute? (Hey, I'm bein immature today, give me a break)
I was reading up on him briefly, I didn't realize this 2 of his children Adam and Grace both died in infancy from a rare disease known as Zellweger Syndrom. That's quite sad and I'm sorry for their loss as a family.
{"commentId":7963301,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:02 AM EDT{"commentId":7977078,"authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
Am I the only one who thinks Sarah Coleman is really cute? (Hey, I'm bein immature today, give me a break)
Well if anything went wrong, at least you wouldn't have to worry about getting beat by her father. Ohhh!! **ba dump bump ding**
{"commentId":7977078,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"ashowcalledbranded"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7963530,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
And you can afford for taxes to go up? Do you not think it would cost the government a whole lot less money to give businesses a tax break for providing health insurance and the more provided the bigger the tax break... There are businesses failing out there left and right now. You and none of your immediate family members must not have been laid off yet. It will cost the government "billions" to provide a healthcare system for all. Do you know the percentages of those with type 1 and type 2 diabetis? Do you know the percentages of those with cancer? And many, many other ailments and diseases? Have you ever taken a pen to how much of "your" money goes into taxes? Homeowner, renter (fyi, your taxes are figured into your rent, that is why you get rent returns), utilities, street repairs, gas for your vehicle, purchases and the list goes on. We are to be accountable for our money yet our governement and big businesses do not. What happened with the car companies was not right. The big businesses were bailed out and they were not. Now should they have been accountable, yes but does anyone realize how many people are without a job because of that? Gee I thought the goal was to get people employed not unemployed... Take a pen to your taxes and then lets see what you have to say and write back when you lose your job and tell us if you can afford to have your taxes raised. I know where my money goes and "do" budget.
{"commentId":7963530,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
#15 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT{"commentId":7963702,"authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
(fyi, your taxes are figured into your rent, that is why you get rent returns),
Unless you live in a state without state income taxes.
(Yeah some tax still figures in the rent...because the property is taxed and the owners pass that on to me. I don't get rent return, but I'd rather not pay state income taxes so it's a good trade off)
{"commentId":7963702,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
{"commentId":7963724,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
One of the cities in MN cancelled residential street repairs, as in tearing up the whole street and redoing it, for the time being so that in these tough times people didn't have an additional expense for something that was not an immeditate neccesity. Now those are the people that should be in governement.
{"commentId":7963724,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
#16 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:24 AM EDT{"commentId":7965500,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
they have been in government for the last 30 years and out infrastructure has crumbled because of it.
{"commentId":7965500,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7963821,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
Nicey- yes I did know that, but we pay both here... Have thought about moving, but all of the family is here and other circumstances put me here for at least another 5 yrs. Also if you have "any" type of income that you can live on you don't end up with those returns. You don't qualify.
{"commentId":7963821,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
#17 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:29 AM EDT{"commentId":7963872,"authorDomain":"midwest123"}
I agree with Scotty... more homework not done.
{"commentId":7963872,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"midwest123"}
#18 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:32 AM EDT{"commentId":7967958,"authorDomain":"mjvst"}
Is it just me or do Democrats historically always have to take things to a sympathetic court to get what they want? 312 votes is easily within the range of voter fraud....
I'll bet they reward Franken's fortitude with a couple of plum committee appointments for which is is completely unqualified and which no other freshman senator could get near. They do that for their celebrities these Democrats.
{"commentId":7967958,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"mjvst"}
- 1 vote
#19 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 1:39 PM EDT{"commentId":7968256,"authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
He's going to be assigned to apply the lubricant before the Democrats have their way with America.
{"commentId":7968256,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"kissmyarsenal"}
{"commentId":7969601,"authorDomain":"dharris49"}
I heard this morning that he is going to the Judiciary Committee.
{"commentId":7969601,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"dharris49"}
{"commentId":7970455,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
A sympathetic court? Dude... they took it no where. Colman drove this and it went through the state court system to the Supreme Court of the state. You act like they could shop around.
Do you even know how the courts... or the government works or is organized?
{"commentId":7970455,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":7970943,"authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
Is it just me or do Democrats historically always have to take things to a sympathetic court to get what they want? 312 votes is easily within the range of voter fraud....
They recounted them twice.
And yeah...the Dems always get it their way.
How can you say that! Look at the biggest case of what might be "voter fraud" ever. A few hundred votes among a much more populous state in Florida in 2000.
And a 5-4 vote by the Supreme Court to give the presidency over. 5 Conservative, 4 Liberal. And coincidentally, Bush Sr. got to give the supreme court that balance (unless I'm not remembering correctly, it's possible).
I fail to see how their State Supreme court is sympathetic. That is the appropriate government branch to deal with this. As was established in the 2000 election when the supreme court handled that decision.
I don't even vote, or care much for either party. But comeon now!
{"commentId":7970943,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
{"commentId":7973646,"authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
Do you even know how the courts... or the government works or is organized?
That was my thought.
I mean, why didn't Al Gore take his case before a more sympathetic court than the Supreme Court of the land.
{"commentId":7973646,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"tempestnam"}
{"commentId":7971934,"authorDomain":"AalafAlot"}
Borrowing from Conservative Republican Propaganda! Like God Wanted Bush Jr to be President and Palin to be VP.
GOD WANTED Al Franken to be Senator. It God intervention. GOD spoken to Al Franken.
Prove me Wrong!
{"commentId":7971934,"threadId":"616657","contentId":"2986399","authorDomain":"AalafAlot"}
- 3 votes
#20 - Wed Jul 1, 2009 4:16 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"616657","isPrivate":false}
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