The action begins on the Vineyard Aug 21, 2009
Harvard picks fellows Harvard s Institute of Politics has announced its latest round of visiting and resident fellows, and it includes a few fellows who were looking for work anyway: former Minnesota senator Norm Coleman, who lost his seat to Al Franken, and Terry McAuliffe, the former DNC chair whose gubernatorial bid in Virginia was unsuccessful. Others include former Obama adviser Stephanie Cutter, former NOW president Kim Gandy, and onetime Reagan aide Peggy Noonan. (Boston Globe)
Coleman, McAuliffe to Be Visiting Fellows at Harvard Aug 21, 2009
Norm Coleman (R-Minn. and failed Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe are joining Harvard University s Institute of Politics as visiting fellows this fall, the university announced Thursday. (Roll Call)
Franken fields local questions on health care reform Aug 19, 2009
Web Search powered by YAHOO. Al Franken was introduced, the health care questions started coming. (Winona Daily News, MN)
The Starting Point: Rail strike averted and hero mayor recuperates Aug 18, 2009
Search Type Choose a search type from the items below. Blog of the #1 News Site. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Lawsuit against Coleman donor set to be dismissed Aug 11, 2009
Norm Coleman say they want to end their legal battle and look forward to a court dismissal, attorneys said ... "All I can tell you is that there was never ever any sort of payment to Norm Coleman through the Hays Insurance Company or anything that was illicit or inappropriate," Weinstine said. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
D.C. takes Franken by storm Aug 8, 2009
Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. Amy Klobuchar. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Franken relishes policy role in new Senate position Aug 2, 2009
Franken s swearing-in July 7 marked the end of an eight-month political and legal struggle since the November race against GOP incumbent Norm Coleman. After a protracted recount, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the former Saturday Night Live performer, giving Senate Democrats enough votes to thwart possible Republican filibusters. (Boston Globe)
Franken Relishes Policy Role in New Position Aug 2, 2009
Franken's swearing-in July 7 marked the end of an eight-month political and legal struggle since the November race against GOP incumbent Norm Coleman. After a protracted recount, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the former "Saturday Night Live" performer, giving Senate Democrats enough votes to thwart possible Republican filibusters. (Newsmax)
Minn. guv says GOP must welcome others Aug 1, 2009
John Ensign of Nevada and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, once seen as rising stars, have been damaged by extramarital affairs; Democrat Al Franken ousted Republican Norm Coleman in Minnesota's Senate race; and moderate Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter became a Democrat. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Coleman won't decide on MN governor run until 2010 Jul 29, 2009
Norm Coleman, seen as a formidable possible candidate for Minnesota governor in 2010, won't decide on the race until spring ... "The emotions around the 2008 Senate election and recount still are pretty close to the surface and likely will remain close to the surface a year from now, and I think that would make it very difficult for Norm Coleman," Horner said. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Just Jim: Taxpayers foot Franken-Coleman recount bill Jul 17, 2009
That s a reasonable price, but we know the cost is much higher and doesn t include the 4 million in war chests Al Franken and Norm Coleman collected after the election to fight the results. Franken has done more than SNL. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Franken staff in listening mode on 66-city tour around state Jul 16, 2009
Norm Coleman Franken spokeswoman Bethany Snyder said she s received a warm welcome from constituents so far. People are excited to have a second senator, Snyder said. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Unhappy Customer Jul 15, 2009
The press was a big factor, and so was they got a lot of help from ACORN, this corrupt organization that is now under indictment in many states throughout the country for voter fraud and registration fraud, and also, by the way, responsible for the stealing of the election of Norm Coleman in Minnesota. But the press the press brought him in, and now they want to make sure that nobody topples the throne, it seems. (Fox News)
Anger at new Sen. Franken -- by former liberal talk radio colleagues... Jul 11, 2009
I did everything I could to help you defeat Norm Coleman ... Left it to Norm Coleman to expose it if he did some background operational research he could have found a lot of stuff ... Its Norm Colemans fault. (The Drudge Report)
Wenzel ready for the third act of his professional life Jul 11, 2009
Norm Coleman; former Rep ... Norm Coleman decides to run. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Senators Offer Tributes to Former Sen. Coleman Jul 10, 2009
Norm Coleman (R-Minn ... Norm Coleman s service in the Senate has been marked by the same high-level distinction that s marked everything else he s done in three decades of public service, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky ... I have no doubt that this is not the last we ll hear from Norm Coleman. (Roll Call)
The Nanosphere -- Should anyone be president? Jul 9, 2009
I m not going to pretend to know about the campaign between Franken and his opponent Norm Coleman, but I do know that Franken jumped pretty quickly from random famous person to senator. Shouldn t he at least pretend to pay some dues first by learning the ropes in the state Senate or the House of Representatives. (Scituate Mariner, MA)
AP: Minnesota, Land of the Freshman Senator Jul 9, 2009
Franken's narrow victory over Republican Norm Coleman followed a recount and court fight that lasted eight months. Coleman's term expired in January, but he held out hope until summer that the count would shift in his favor. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Sworn in, Franken comes out hugging Jul 8, 2009
The Minnesota Supreme Court declared Franken the winner last week, Republican incumbent Norm Coleman conceded, and Franken formally took the oath of office yesterday. As fans in the visitors gallery cheered, the former comedian and radio talk-show host pumped his fist in victory, still holding the Bible he used for his swearing-in. (Boston Globe)
Al Franken sworn in as US senator Jul 8, 2009
Norm Coleman, the Republican candidate in Minnesota, fought a protracted legal battle to overturn the results of the recount. His legal team argued that a number of absentee ballots had been unfairly rejected by local officials. (BBC News -- Americas)
U.N.: Can halt violence against women Jul 8, 2009
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Democrat Al Franken won the state's disputed Senate seat following an eight-month long fight against former Republican Senator Norm Coleman. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch). (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
A new senator arrives in the house Jul 8, 2009
Norm Coleman, conceded shortly after the ruling. Serious' about new jobIn the staid Senate, there were plenty of signs something unusual was afoot. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Franken lands in familiar spot for Minnesota Jul 8, 2009
Pecking orderFranken's narrow victory over Republican Norm Coleman followed a recount and court fight that lasted eight months. Coleman's term expired in January, but he held out hope until summer that the count would shift in his favor. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Franken bucks Obama in first vote... Jul 8, 2009
Franken bucks Obama in first vote - Glenn Thrush - POLITICO.com. " This seems like a trend. Back on April 29, Arlen Specter's very first vote was "no" on President Obama's budget -- a day after declaring himself a "loyal Democrat. (The Drudge Report)
Al Franken: From satirist to senator Jul 7, 2009
Al Franken defeated Norm Coleman in one of the longest Senate races in history ... Soon after, the outspoken comedian and former radio host will take over the desk once occupied by election rival Norm Coleman. (CNN)
Franken in Washington, ready to work Jul 7, 2009
The man who many considered ribald was the picture of reserve during a two-year campaign and eight-month recount from which he emerged victorious over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. Franken is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday. (MSNBC -- Politics)
FRANKEN'S NEW SCHTICK: NO LAUGHING MATTER Jul 7, 2009
He was forced to stand on the sidelines while opponent Norm Coleman ran out the clock. Coleman used every weapon in his arsenal to deny the people of Minnesota the representation they deserve. (New York Post -- Opinions)
More Votes Equals More Stress For Reid Jul 7, 2009
Norm Coleman (R-Minn. capitulated to Franken. (CBS News -- Politics)
Read the 'JER' transcript Jul 7, 2009
Although Franken trailed incumbent Senator Norm Coleman by 725 votes on election night, Franken's legal team soon descended, swarming the recount and aggressively demanding that votes that had been disqualified be added to his count while others be denied from Mr. Coleman. They also ginned up an additional 3,050 absentee ballots for Franken. (Fox News)
Benjamin Wachs: Americas political ayatollahs Jul 7, 2009
We all know that Norm Coleman delayed Al Franken s acceptance of Minnesota s U.S. Senate seat for political reasons, rather than any actual belief that voters had been disenfranchised. In fact, by delaying the state of Minnesota from seating its duly elected senator despite overwhelming evidence that the election had been close but legitimate, Coleman was actively disenfranchising Minnesota voters himself. (Medfield Press, MA)
Franken, Reid Look to Lower Expectations for 60 Seats Jul 7, 2009
Norm Coleman (R) in the November 2008 election. In turn, Senate Republicans must understand that Sen. (Roll Call)
Zelizer: Democrats should act now Jul 7, 2009
Norm Coleman finally conceded. During his much awaited victory speech, the senator-elect said that "I am not going to waste this chance.". (CNN -- US)
Political torture Jul 6, 2009
That state's Supreme Court finally ruled that former comedian Al Franken had indeed defeated incumbent Norm Coleman by only 312 votes out of 2. 9 million votes cast. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Blame game could hurt Republican Party Jul 6, 2009
Norm Coleman, giving the Democrats a 60-vote super-majority in the Senate and the power to override any GOP obstructionism. I can say without hesitation that this government is totally theirs now, Steele said on a cable news show the other day, and everything that comes out of it and everything that results from it is on their plate. (Herald Online, SC -- Opinion)
Wilshire and Washington Jul 5, 2009
Another update: Al Franken will become a U.S. Senator after Norm Coleman conceded the race today ... The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Al Franken was the victor in the protracted race for a Senate seat against Norm Coleman. (Variety)
Al Franken — Democrat From Acorn Jul 5, 2009
Michael Ritchie's election as secretary of state in Minnesota may have sealed Norm Coleman's fate ... Incumbent Republican Norm Coleman conceded defeat in the mother of all recounts in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race after the state's Supreme Court unanimously rejected his lawsuit. (Investors Business Daily)
Thune: GOP weakened in Senate Jul 4, 2009
Franken was recently certified the winner of a drawn-out Senate race with Republican Norm Coleman. Story Comments. (Sioux City Journal)
The Saucy Sarah Gabfest Jul 4, 2009
Norm Coleman by the thinnest of margins, 312 votes out 2. 9 million cast. (Slate)
Franken: 'I Can't Wait To Get Started' Jul 4, 2009
-- Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Democrat Al Franken in Minnesota's contested Senate race Tuesday, hours after a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian should be certified the winner. Coleman announced his decision at a news conference in St. Paul, bringing an end to a nearly eight-month recount and court fight over an election decided by only a few hundred votes. (KSBW 8, CA)
The Fives: Favre, Franken and fireworks -- the week in preview Jul 3, 2009
Some have chosen not to believe that Republican Norm Coleman will step aside in accordance with the Minnesota court's ruling, and it's a bit understandable. I mean, he has been fighting the election results ever since the recount boards reversed the election night counts that had the incumbent GOP Senator winning. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
The Sen. Al Franken Blue Ball Jul 3, 2009
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ended months of vote fraud and other assorted acts of skulduggery to pronounce Al Franken winner of the state's 2008 senatorial race over Republican Norm Coleman. The process was unseemly, and it is conceivable that the court's justices merely acted out of civic pride. (Human Events Online)
Time for re-election Jul 3, 2009
Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Democrat Al Franken after the state's Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Coleman in his bid to overturn election results. Franken is expected to be sworn in right after the Senate returns from its Independence Day recess. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Franken adds new face to Jewish Democrats in Senate Jul 3, 2009
A few hours after the court s ruling, incumbent Republican Norm Coleman conceded the race to Franken. We are proud that Franken will be the 13th Jewish senator who caucuses with the Democrats and will carry on the great legacy of the late Sen. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Franken says 'I'm not going to waste this chance' Jul 3, 2009
"When you win an election by this close a margin, you know not one bit of effort went to waste," the Democrat said, a day after the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed his victory and Republican Norm Coleman conceded. Many in the crowd wore pro-Franken or pro-union shirts. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Feehery: Franken victory is not funny Jul 3, 2009
Democrats have once again reached the magic number of 60, as Norm Coleman finally threw in the towel against the one-time joke writer for Saturday Night Live ... Republicans lost three top-notch senators in the last election -- Norm Coleman, Gordon Smith and John Sununu -- who lost not because they were bad senators, or because they had scandals, or because they had lost touch with constituents. (CNN -- US)
Cool down with a fan and iced tea Jul 3, 2009
Comedian Al Franken is really going to replace Norm Coleman as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota. Hum a clown being replaced by a bigger clown, yet the Washington Circus continues. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
With Minn. Senate race over, Coleman's future a question Jul 3, 2009
It's been less than two days since Norm Coleman finally pulled the plug on the most drawn-out election in Minnesota history, but Republicans are already talking about his political future. Coleman has proven himself to be a political survivor before. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Sotomayor-advised group opposed Bork Jul 2, 2009
Coleman defeat leaves GOP without a Jewish senator WASHINGTON - The defeat of incumbent Norm Coleman in the drawn-out Minnesota Senate race leaves Republicans without a Jewish senator for the first time in half a century. Coleman s departure comes two months after the GOP s other Jewish member, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, switched parties to become a Democrat. (Boston Globe)
How Franken won Jul 2, 2009
I don't think Al Franken nor Norm Coleman have run marathons ... I believe Dean Barkley hurt Al Franken more than Norm Coleman, but in this instance at least, it didn't prove to be fatal ... Norm Coleman held a hearing to accuse British leftist George Galloway of terrorism. (Harper's Magazine)
the meaning of 60 Democratic senators Jul 2, 2009
Norm Coleman has a 10-day window to request a re-trial before the MN supreme court. Gov. Pawlenty will almost assuredly wait until the end of that window. (Harper's Magazine)
Last laugh as Obama gets crucial Senate vote Jul 2, 2009
The win - which follows months of legal challenges by the Republican Norm Coleman - offers Mr Obama his best chance to pass critical legislation, including his energy and climate package, his health-care bill and tougher financial regulation. But it does not guarantee it. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Mr. Franken Goes to Washington Jul 2, 2009
Two hours later, Republican Norm Coleman conceded. "I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States senator," Coleman said. (Slate)
The long twlight struggle Jul 2, 2009
Minnesota s U.S. Senate race has finally, mercifully The Minnesota Supreme Court voted unanimously to reject Norm Coleman s court challenge which means Al Franken is the winner by a little over 330 votes. Lincoln-Douglas this U.S Senate campaign definitely was not and serves well as an example to. (The American Conservative)
Viagra introduces its latest celebrity backer: the devil Jul 2, 2009
The longest Senate election in modern US history finally ended yesterday as Minnesota's Supreme Court declared Democrat Al Franken the winner, and defeated Republican Norm Coleman conceded defeat almost eight months after the actual vote last November 4. Wednesday, 1 July 2009. (Yahoo News -- Men's Health)
Franken Declared Winner Jul 2, 2009
Norm Coleman chose to bow out of the race rather than continue the contest taking the fight to the federal courts. It is estimated the two camps have spent more than $1. (Human Events Online)
Minnesota GOP Chairman: 'All Votes Should Have Been Counted Equally' Jul 2, 2009
You can t miss the sad irony of it all: after four years as Republican state chairman of Minnesota, Ron Carey s last day at the party helm was the same day that the State Supreme Court ruled 5-0 to affirm a lower court decision that Democrat Al Franken had more votes than Republican Norm Coleman in the Gopher State s U.S. Senate race seven months ago ... Carey also cited the liberal media atmosphere in the Minneapolis area, noting that between the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul... (Human Events Online)
Franken to attend Harkin's steak fry Jul 2, 2009
Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Franken in Minnesota's contested Senate race Tuesday, hours after a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled the former "Saturday Night Live" comedian should be certified the winner ... Norm Coleman, will headline Harkin s 32nd annual steak fry fundraiser at the Warren County Fairgrounds. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Which Al Franken will show up in Washington? Jul 2, 2009
Franken's win followed a decision Tuesday by the Minnesota Supreme Court declaring him the winner and a concession by former Senator Norm Coleman ... But some in the party were uneasy about his chances in a run against incumbent Republican Norm Coleman. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Which Al Franken will show up in Washington? Jul 2, 2009
But some in the party were uneasy about his chances in a run against incumbent Republican Norm Coleman. Franken's long career as an entertainer had produced a mountain of bawdy jokes, television skits and written screeds that were prime fodder for the opposition. (The Drudge Report)
First Time in 50 Years GOP Without Jewish Senator Jul 2, 2009
WASHINGTON The defeat of incumbent Norm Coleman in the drawn-out Minnesota Senate race leaves Republicans without a Jewish senator for the first time in half a century. Coleman's departure comes two months after the GOP's other Jewish member, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, switched parties to become a Democrat. (Newsmax)
Franken to give Democrats a boost on key issues Jul 2, 2009
Comedian Al Franken officially won the Minnesota U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, as the state's Supreme Court ordered that he be certified as the winner of last year's election and incumbent Republican Norm Coleman conceded. Franken's win gives Democrats control of 60 Senate seats, a filibuster-proof majority. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
HOH's One-Minute Recess: So Long, Norm! Jul 2, 2009
Norm Coleman (R-Minn. whom Franken ousted after one all-too-brief term. (Roll Call)
Franken the senator could be spoofed on SNL Jul 2, 2009
discusses Al Frankens defeat of Norm Coleman in the states hotly contested Senatorial race. MSNBC. (MSNBC -- News)
AP: GOP's Coleman Concedes, Sending Franken to Senate Jul 2, 2009
(AP) - Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Democrat Al Franken in Minnesota's contested Senate race on Tuesday, ending a nearly eight-month recount and court fight over an election decided by only a few hundred votes. Coleman announced his decision at a news conference in St. Paul hours after a unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Franken, a former "Saturday Night Live" comedian and liberal commentator, should be certified the winner. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Franken’s Victory Gets Democrats to 60, Sort of Jul 1, 2009
Norm Coleman (R) in their long-disputed 2008 race, the five justices handed Senate Democrats the 60-vote majority they never dreamed they d have, but party insiders warn that the ruling is both a blessing and curse. On the one hand, 60 is the magic number to beat back a GOP-led filibuster. (Roll Call)
