How's Al Franken's Senate bid going?

[Captain_Lance_Murdoch]

As expected, Franken is now ahead.

Both campaigns have lots of withdrawn ballots that need to be added back to the totals and no one seems to know how many there are.

Also, Coleman’s double-counted ballot claim seems to be getting an unreceptive response from the board. It’s a long-shot for him I would think.

Also, for those not in MN, it has been revealed that the FBI is now investigating Coleman for accepting $75,000 from a Texas businessman. Win or lose, he’s going to have that issue kicking around.

[BrainGlutton]

@Captain_Lance_Murdoch

Also, for those not in MN, it has been revealed that the FBI is now investigating Coleman for accepting $75,000 from a Texas businessman.

Why’s that a problem? Too big a campaign contribution to be legal, or what?

[RTFirefly]

Franken’s lead is currently around 75 votes.

[Captain_Lance_Murdoch]

@BrainGlutton

Why’s that a problem? Too big a campaign contribution to be legal, or what?

It was supposedly paid to Laurie Coleman for “work” she did for the Texas company. It was unreported by the Coleman campaign.

[chorpler]

So the live video at the Star Tribune site now says “Franken +102” and “Ballots reviewed: 1028.” What’s this mean? Is Franken ahead now, or does he need to get past +215 to catch up to Coleman, or some higher number?

[Hawkeyeop]

@chorpler

So the live video at the Star Tribune site now says “Franken +102” and “Ballots reviewed: 1028.” What’s this mean? Is Franken ahead now, or does he need to get past +215 to catch up to Coleman, or some higher number?

He is ahead, but some of the withdrawn challenges haven’t been added into that number, so it is impossible to tell exactly where things are at.

[Hawkeyeop]

@Punoqllads

And yet the write in of Brett Favre was also accepted. Presumably the idea of a Minnesotan voting for Brett Favre for President is also ridiculous?

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/12/brett-favre-beats-lizard-people.html

Brett Farve was only listed for the president. The Lizard King was listed for president and senate. That is a significant difference.

[Sinaijon]

@Captain_Lance_Murdoch

Also, for those not in MN, it has been revealed that the FBI is now investigating Coleman for accepting $75,000 from a Texas businessman. .

No, they aren’t. Here, read the actual article: FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says – Twin Cities

The FBI is reviewing the allegations in the lawsuits, since they have jurisdiction. But here’s an important quote from the article:

Neither lawsuit alleges the money actually made it to Coleman or that the Colemans knew about the alleged plan.

That’s why its such an obvious smear tactic to say ‘Coleman is being investigated’. Note the headline even has it right “FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says”

It’s no different than saying Obama is being investigated by the FBI, when the FBI is really investigating Blago or Acorn or something.

[Lobohan]

@Hawkeyeop

Brett Farve was only listed for the president. The Lizard King was listed for president and senate. That is a significant difference.

Heretic! You doubt the Lizard King’s capacity for multitasking?

[jayjay]

@Lobohan

Heretic! You doubt the Lizard King’s capacity for multitasking?

Well, he couldn’t quite handle that “being high and taking a bath at the same time” thing…

[The_Understander]

@Sinaijon

No, they aren’t. Here, read the actual article: FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says – Twin Cities

The FBI is reviewing the allegations in the lawsuits, since they have jurisdiction. But here’s an important quote from the article:
That’s why its such an obvious smear tactic to say ‘Coleman is being investigated’. Note the headline even has it right “FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says”

It’s no different than saying Obama is being investigated by the FBI, when the FBI is really investigating Blago or Acorn or something.

It would be if Blago or ACORN were accused of trying to steer money to the President-Elect. Of course, I could see how one might miss that, being buried in the sub-headline as it was…

[haymarketmartyr]

Franken up 266 at the lunch break.

[Captain_Lance_Murdoch]

@Sinaijon

No, they aren’t. Here, read the actual article: FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says – Twin Cities

The FBI is reviewing the allegations in the lawsuits, since they have jurisdiction. But here’s an important quote from the article:
That’s why its such an obvious smear tactic to say ‘Coleman is being investigated’. Note the headline even has it right “FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says”

It’s no different than saying Obama is being investigated by the FBI, when the FBI is really investigating Blago or Acorn or something.

Then he’s in the clear and has nothing to worry about at all with this!

I think you may have missed the part from your own cite which says

They allege a host of improprieties, including that Kazeminy tried improperly to send Deep Marine money Coleman’s way for no legitimate reason.

For everyone’s enjoyment, here’s video of the Coleman team giving full disclosure about some fancy suits he allegedly received form the same guy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUmGdmbuRfA

[Sinaijon]

@Captain_Lance_Murdoch

Then he’s in the clear and has nothing to worry about at all with this!

Exactly! Well, actually, not quite. Because there can be politically fallout caused by people deliberately misrepresenting what’s happening in an attempt to make him look bad.

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

It would be difficult for public opinion of Coleman to sink much lower in this state. The fact that he’s about to get beat by Stuart fucking Smalley is testament to that.

Incidentally, Coleman has never been shy about resorting to unfounded political smears, so fuck him. Plus he’s probably guilty anyway.

[DigitalC]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

It would be difficult for public opinion of Coleman to sink much lower in this state. The fact that he’s about to get beat by Stuart fucking Smalley is testament to that.

Gosh darnit people like him!

[Khadaji]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

It would be difficult for public opinion of Coleman to sink much lower in this state. The fact that he’s about to get beat by Stuart fucking Smalley is testament to that.

Incidentally, Coleman has never been shy about resorting to unfounded political smears, so fuck him. Plus he’s probably guilty anyway.

Indeed - and the fact that it is so close tells us how a lot about the state’s feeling towards Franken.

[Frank]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

The fact that he’s about to get beat by Stuart fucking Smalley is testament to that.

I watched Trading Places the other night. “Son of a bitch,” I said to myself, “Al Franken hasn’t changed a bit.”

[haymarketmartyr]

Since Coleman also lost to Jesse Ventura, this puts him in quite a unique class.

[elucidator]

That’s my big beef with Franken. Just about any American cheese on white bread with mayo Lutheran DFL-er could have handed Coleman his ass. Somebody without the “Hollywood” baggage that Franken has to haul around. The risk wasn’t necessary, Franken is ok, but so are a lot of other people who would have handily whupped Coleman’s smarmy butt.

Now, if Al wins, I’ll be glad, but mostly because I cannot stand Coleman. But the gamble wasn’t needful, and Al should have put his star power and money to a less risky effort. Grumble, grumble.