By: bdhutch on 4/15/09
I say Coleman needs to keep fighting this. Regardless of what some "experts" say, there were obvious differences across the state in how absentee ballots were ultimately accepted or rejected. Other problems with the recount also need further review, including the ONE precinct where their recount numbers were ignored and their tally from election night was used instead.
Our country and our state will not suffer great harm simply because one senator has not been seated.

By: Gator on 4/15/09
Coleman needs to take this to the very end and voters should be outraged by Frankens and the democaratic parties manipulation of the courts and this election

By: ToddVoge on 4/15/09
I say we throw the whole Senate race out and do it over again. No absentee. Those who show up, get the vote. Voting is a civic duty that everyone should take seriously. All of the ways to make it "easier" just muddles the system. The only absentee exceptions in my view would be for those in nursing homes or otherwise physically unable to come to the polls. Our employers are required to let us off work to vote. That shouldn't be an excuse anymore. Let's get over this absentee thing and get out and do our civic duty. How hard is it to go out and take 10 minutes and vote?

I'm sick of both of these yahoo's. In my view, neither one of them will make a good representative of the state of MN. I'd love to see us seat neither of them. Leave the seat open until the next general election next year. Can't do any more harm!

By: BACard on 4/15/09
Yea I agree Voge lets disenfranchise people its not like people have the right to vote absentee.

By: ToddVoge on 4/15/09
BACard - you missed the point. The point is we have made it far to easy for the absentee system to be misused. It was designed to be used by those that absolutely could not be at the polls. It has become the de facto way of voting for many now, who don't want to take the time on election day to do their duty. Voting has become a chore for people now, rather than something they should be celebrating and doing.

By: bpaukert on 4/15/09
I hope Coleman pursues it to the end. I am in agreement with Todd Voge that both of these guys will represent us poorly, but it's more about fairness and integrity of the voting process than it is about my allegiance to one candidate or the other. I didn't vote for either one of these guys in the election, but I find it very suspicious that there was a 1000 vote swing since election night to give Franken the victory. The statistical improbability of such a swing is mind-boggling.

I am more concerned about the integrity of our elections - one person, one vote. That is why I wrote a letter to the editor shortly before the election calling for a photo id requirement in order to vote. Shenanigans by outfits like ACORN are a direct threat to our freedom. If we aren't assured that our vote will truly count then we aren't really being represented by the people "elected" to office.

If I knew for certain right now that Al Franken legitimately received more votes than Norm Coleman, I would say seat him right now and let Minnesotans be further disgraced by those we put in office. But I don't believe that at this point and as long as it is possible or even probable that voters are being disenfranchised and the wrong person could be seated, Coleman needs to fight this, more so for the voters than for his own personal glory.

I don't know if any of you saw examples of the ballots ruled on by the canvassing board, but it was outrageous the double standards that were used to award votes for Franken and take away votes for Coleman. And just because a liberal canvassing board and a liberal panel rule in favor of Franken, that does not make them right and it does not obligate Coleman to lay down like a dog, either.

By: dude on 4/15/09
the belief that one person equals one vote is naive at best, we saw that in 2000 when gore won the popular vote and bush the electoral college. these days money talks, for example: if you and i agree on an issue that needs to be addressed, and we start a petition, get the required number of signatures, and even if polls show overwhelming support, if a business that would be affected simply donates a large sum of money to BOTH parties various reelection funds, PAC's, etc, or simply reminds those politicians how much they have donated in the past, how do you suppose they would vote?
In regards to the senate election, i have followed it very closely, and i wonder how some of the claims of misconduct, and illegal actions supposedly commited, and referenced here, seemed to slip by the appropriate UNBIASED authorities. Where's the proof, or is it just the "they say" monster rearing its ugly head. I belive coleman keeps fighting in court because he owes too many political favors, franken and the dfl will keep fighting because coleman is. Call it a tie and flip a coin, whatever just stop the nonsense and get to work!!!

By: bassman on 4/15/09
Todd, how do you propose the seniors that go south for the winter season get their votes cast?

By: ToddVoge on 4/16/09
Bassman - That would be one of the extenuating circumstances. That was one of the reasons absentee ballots were created. Not so everyone could use it just because they don't want to go to the polls that day. I know, it's a fine line to tread. We just have to do something to cut down on the issues with absentee ballots and the problems they bring.