# How's Al Franken's Senate bid going? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 12, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239 "2008-02-12T01:57:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/401 "2008-12-24T23:26:49Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > [Minnesota Supremes Shoot Down Crucial Coleman Lawsuit, Making A Franken Win Nearly Certain](http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/minnesota_supremes_shoot_down.php) That’s good news. That whole “double-counted ballots” thing was completely made up by the Coleman campaign. Unfortunately, [Coleman’s lawyer](http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2008/12/heading_into_ro.shtml) is saying that Coleman fully intends to be hypocritical, obstructionist little bitch about the whole thing. > [@](#): > > He said the decision “virtually guarantees that this will be decided in an election contest.” In other words, they’re going to challenge the result in court. On what grounds, I have no idea. The double-count thing was already grasping at straws. Remember when Norm was saying that Franken should just concede without a recount and that he would do the same if the shoe was on the other foot? Well, the shoe is on the other foot. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/402 "2008-12-25T00:26:36Z")
You’re kinda slow today, **Dio**. It’s on the _wrong_ foot! Now, if everyone is wearing their _lederhosen_…? People’s key of C… Happy, happy, joy, joy, joy! Happy, happy joy! Happy happy joy joy joy! Happy happy Joy! Joy! What you want for free? The Hallelujah Chorus? Well, sorry, I can’t handle that… ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/403 "2008-12-25T01:13:23Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > …What you want for free? The Hallelujah Chorus? Well, sorry, I can’t handle that… Allow me: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw6H3crLzpg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw6H3crLzpg) ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/404 "2008-12-25T02:01:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > People’s key of C… If the key of C is the people’s key Then what is the key of the bourgeoisie? I ask this question most sincerely In what key do they play? If anybody recognizes this and can tell me its provenance I will be eternally grateful. I heard it sung once on the radio, many years ago, and did not catch who was singing it, or why. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/405 "2008-12-25T02:37:12Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > If the key of C is the people’s key > Then what is the key of the bourgeoisie? > I ask this question most sincerely > In what key do they play? > If anybody recognizes this and can tell me its provenance I will be eternally grateful. I heard it sung once on the radio, many years ago, and did not catch who was singing it, or why. My Google-Fu didn’t turn up the song itself, but if you imagined the song, [at least you’re not the only one](http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:zjo4cKQ-tEMJ:www.guitartablab.com/forums/showthread.php%3Ft%3D13246%26page%3D2+%22If+the+key+of+C+is+the+people%27s+key%22+lyrics&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a). (Scroll down a few posts at the link.) ETA: Check [this link](http://www.wavechair.com/2quizref.html) out, too. Evidently B-flat is the key of the bourgeoisie. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/406 "2008-12-25T02:48:43Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > If the key of C is the people’s key > Then what is the key of the bourgeoisie? > I ask this question most sincerely > In what key do they play? > If anybody recognizes this and can tell me its provenance I will be eternally grateful. I heard it sung once on the radio, many years ago, and did not catch who was singing it, or why. Best bet is The Weavers, a lefty folk music group long before your time. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/407 "2008-12-25T03:14:46Z")
According to a newsgroup that I can’t link to, “The People’s Key” was written by Bob Hipkins and recorded by the Central Park Sheiks on an LP in 1976. It’s listed on their CD “Honeysuckle Rose” which is available on Amazon: [http://www.amazon.com/Honeysuckle-Rose-Central-Park-Sheiks/dp/B000NI3FYC/ref=pd\_bbs\_sr\_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1230174706&sr=8-1](http://www.amazon.com/Honeysuckle-Rose-Central-Park-Sheiks/dp/B000NI3FYC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1230174706&sr=8-1) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/408 "2008-12-25T05:02:19Z")
Could be. Sifting the shards of memory, seems to me the phrase pre-dates that by some years, like when work shirts and folk singing were more fashionable. Mid to late 60’s or earlier. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/409 "2008-12-25T05:15:25Z")
(deleted) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/410 "2008-12-26T21:22:08Z")
> [@Peanut\_Gallery](#): > > I’m trying to imagine who he could lose to next… > > A quick google for famous Minnesotans … how about Bob Dylan? John Madden? Too bad Winona Ryder has a record… Prince? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/411 "2008-12-26T21:25:20Z")
A Greyhound bus? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/412 "2008-12-26T22:34:52Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Could be. Sifting the shards of memory, seems to me the phrase pre-dates that by some years, like when work shirts and folk singing were more fashionable. Mid to late 60’s or earlier. What exactly are “work shirts”? Somehow I don’t think you mean a blue number with the wearer’s name sewn over the pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/413 "2008-12-26T22:42:08Z")
What’s an “election contest”? A new election? Why? If they can’t count the ballots the first time, what will make them count them correctly the second time? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/414 "2008-12-27T03:05:39Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What exactly are “work shirts”? Somehow I don’t think you mean a blue number with the wearer’s name sewn over the pocket. I think he means a light blue cotton chambray shirt, long-sleeved, with OR without a name sewn over the pocket. [Like this one.](http://www.hyrcollective.com/daily-blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/ih-chambray.png) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/415 "2008-12-27T03:06:51Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > What’s an “election contest”? A new election? Why? If they can’t count the ballots the first time, what will make them count them correctly the second time? Unless I’m mistaken, it’s a court challenge to the outcome of an election, contesting its validity. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/416 "2008-12-27T03:54:56Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Unless I’m mistaken, it’s a court challenge to the outcome of an election, contesting its validity. This election wil end up being settled on the Senate floor, not in court. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/417 "2008-12-27T04:22:20Z")
[Conflicting MN law on who will judge election contest](http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/23/legalcontest_statutes/) > [@](#): > > Once the state canvassing board decides the election, anyone can challenge that decision. The question is what happens next. As many attorneys like to answer, it depends. It depends on what part of Minnesota law you read and how you interpret what appears to be a conflict. > > University of Minnesota Law Professor Fred Morrison notes that one part of the statute says the Supreme Court chief justice will appoint a three-judge panel to decide the contest, while another part of the statute says one judge will decide the contest, and he or she will be limited to deciding which party received the highest number of votes legally cast. > > “So you have the odd situation that the statute says in one part, there will be three judges appointed by the chief justice and in another section it says the judge will decide and only talks about one judge,” Morrison said. “And that’s going to be a question of interpretation for the courts.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/418 "2008-12-27T04:57:11Z")
It has to be a mistake, Minnesotans would never do anything so interesting. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/419 "2008-12-27T08:06:07Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > It has to be a mistake, Minnesotans would never do anything so interesting. Do _not_ make us get out the lutefisk. You have been warned. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/420 "2008-12-27T13:23:51Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > This election wil end up being settled on the Senate floor, not in court. I suspect you’re right. In which case, I owe **Captain Carrot** an apology, as way back in the thread I gave him a hard time for saying just that. I was wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239.md?page=22)