Coleman Lawyer: It's Not Over -- We've Found Two New Ballots!
It really does seem like the Minnesota Senate race is never going to end.
At a post-court press conference this evening, Coleman lawyer Ben Ginbserg announced that Washington County elections official Kevin Corbid had just informed the court that he found two previously unknown, unopened ballots, while searching through his office.
"That would stand somewhat in marked contrast to the Franken campaign's assertion that there's anything resembling a final result of this election," said Ginbserg, if counties seem to be finding new ballots.
This election gives you an idea of what it would be like if lawyers conducted autopsies, instead of doctors. They could just keep on arguing long enough for decomposition to set in, anyway.
(Ginsberg press conference c/o The Uptake.)
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
so do we have ANY idea when there WILL be a final result?
or are they just going to keep arguing over this until the 2014 election, thus making the results meaningless...
February 6, 2009 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
If there is a God, BOTH ballots will be for FRANKEN.
(smile)
February 6, 2009 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The MN-SC said their decision would be "forthcoming". Come forth, already. It's pretty clear that they're the only ones who can regain control of the situation.
February 6, 2009 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR GOD'S SAKE - THEY NEED TO PUT AN END TO THIS BULLSHIT FROM COLEMAN.
February 6, 2009 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I keep telling you, it's all about delay. That's the whole point of this exercise. I wish the media would start pushing back on that point. It's not about the election at all anymore. It's not about Coleman winning. It's only about keeping Franken from voting.
February 6, 2009 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm pretty sure everyone has figured that out by now. The problem is that the MN-SC can't seem to come up with a legal way to end it no matter how much they'd like to.
February 6, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is not lawyers' fault in general, don't get too flip about this. The lawyers will continue to argue until the court orders a stop to their counting and complaining, and the court is rightly fearful of the kangaroo-court 5-4 majority in Bush v. Gore (Scalia, Thomas, Rehnquist (now replaced by Roberts), O'Connor (replaced by radical conservative Alito), and Kennedy).
In Bush v. Gore, the original 5 made clear that there was nothing they would not stoop to, deliver a court-conceived victory to their favored candidate (who became probably the worst President in U.S. history), thus fatally debasing democratic institutions. In a similar way, the Minnesota court naturally expects the Supreme Court to deliver a cynical, result-oriented decision overruling them and granting the seat to Coleman, irrespecive of the facts or legal precedent. Till the Justices reach that odious stage, Coleman's people are walking on needles and pins.
February 6, 2009 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is one check on the ability of the SCOTUS to steal this election. The Senate could seat Franken and thumb their nose at the SC citing their Art I Sec 5 powers and there's not a damn thing the court could do about it.
February 6, 2009 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right you are, man's_best_friend---Article I Section 5 gives the Senate the authority to judge returns and elections. Framers' original intent stated very clearly in unambiguous language.
Problem: Harry Milquetoast Reid won't do it. I look forward to contributing to the election of Reid's opponent next year--no matter who it is.
February 6, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think that Obama wants Reid to ram Franken down the Senate's throat. That isn't Obama's style. I could be wrong, but I suspect this is part of why Reid is reluctant, perhaps a big part.
February 7, 2009 2:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking. Is it possible Coleman is stalling to prevent Franken from voting on this stimulus? Not having another Dem there to vote gives Republicans a bit more leverage no?
February 6, 2009 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
2 NEW ballots? Wha? Where in the. What in the. Aw jeez.
February 6, 2009 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you take the number of counties in Minnesota and multiply by two, would that equal enough new ballots discovered to edge the repug smuck pass Franklin?
February 7, 2009 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I understand that a car suspected of carrying perhaps 5000 uncounted absentee ballots went off the road around election time and is now buried in a snowbank. Coleman lawyers want to wait for the snow to melt before going after the car. And they think there may be other cars out there, so it is best to wait until all the snow is melted, which is around June. They didn't say which June.
February 6, 2009 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink