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Coleman: Accept a recount
Published Friday, November 7, 2008
Democrat Al Franken says the recount of votes in his U.S. Senate race should proceed in order to make sure that every vote is counted properly. And he's right.
As of Friday morning, Franken trailed self-declared winner and incumbent, Sen. Norm Coleman, by 236 votes - that's down from 477 votes on Thursday.
That's a small margin considering that 2.9 million votes were cast - and well within the margin that triggers an automatic recount.
Coleman said Wednesday that Franken should consider stepping aside.
We believe that to do so would be wrong.
We agree with Franken, who said Thursday on Minnesota Public Radio that "candidates don't get to decide when an election's over - voters do."
Let the Secretary of State's office conduct the recount and properly decide the winner of the election.
A recount will also allow the residents of Minnesota a unique look into our election process and give us a snapshot into whether or not our voting system works.
Franken says if the recount determines he lost, then he'll be the first to congratulate Sen. Coleman.
And if that's the case, we, as Minnesota residents, can be sure that Coleman won fair and square.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Mel (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Al Gore all over again?
Posted by FFguy (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please just let this guy Franken guy go away. He scares me!!
Posted by werty (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He's good enough, smart enough, and doggone it people like him. http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images...
Posted by luvmyboys (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He's a nutcase... and he scares me too!
Posted by mnisgreat (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously in Pine County the first report of 24 votes for Franken was incorrect and why someone forgot the 1 for the result of 124 is beyond me but the statistical spread for 124 makes alot more sense and jives with the rest of the area. In the iron range result it was reported today that they called in a result of 506 votes for Al Franken but the St Louis county secretary recorded the result in error as 406. So I don't understand how someone making a clerical error is fraud?? Isn't this why the vote tally is still called unofficial and hasn't been certified??
Regardless all this whining by the Coleman camp these apparent errors are only strengthening Al Franken's request for the recount which would be well-observed by both parties and would be a recount by hand. It is clear that this needs to occur and we won't know anything until that is done.
Posted by FFWoman (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's really irrelevant what we think about holding a recount--it's required by law when the vote is this close. At least when it's completed, there will be no question as to who the winner is, whichever way it turns out.
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why wouldn’t Coleman want every vote counted accurately, what is he afraid of?
Posted by trilop (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As it appears, this was an editorial comment. It was a confusing one at that, due to the title. Was Mr. Coleman in favor of the recall or not? I am sure he appreciates the due process, and has no interest in hindering that. It appears the discrepancies in two of our counties would warrant concern over the counts. The voting record needs to be made public to assure the trust of the public. Mr. Coleman did not recommend Mr. Franken to step aside, only to consider. This does not warrant the flap being given toward the Coleman camp. Personally, I believe Mr. Franken was chosen, or chose to run, because of name recognition. It is hard to take this man seriously, and I do not see how he could be a credit to the party of the Democrats. Mr. Wellstone had more respect than Mr. Franken could ever gain in ten lifetimes.
Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 1:32 p.m.
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Posted by Mel (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ever hear of a yellow dog democrat? That's when you would vote for a yellow dog rather than a republican. Franken fills that yellow dog bill.
Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are correct Mel, I would vote for a yellow dog before a republican anytime.
Posted by beckyweers (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 5:54 p.m.
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Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 7:16 p.m.
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Posted by Mel (anonymous) on November 9, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
theweasel, the yellow dog would have to have a reeaallly good staff, like me maybe ;o).
Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on November 10, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats going to cost you mel.
Posted by poltroon (anonymous) on November 13, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Certainly, Mr. Coleman should have no objection in seeing the will of the people carried out. That said, go AL!
Pres. Obama needs every Democrat.
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