Franken puts Pawlenty in a jam

[groundloop]

Source: Politico

The legal fight between Al Franken and Norm Coleman is headed to the desk of Gov. Tim Pawlenty — a no-win predicament for a Minnesota Republican with his eye on a White House run in 2012.

Franken won big Tuesday when a three-judge panel allowed the review of no more than 400 absentee ballots in a race he currently leads by 225 votes. Coleman’s camp says an appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court is coming; once that’s done, the dispute lands in Pawlenty’s lap.

If Franken’s ahead at that point, Pawlenty will have a choice: sign the election certificate that will allow Democrats to seat Franken in the Senate or play to the Republicans whose support he’d need in 2012 by withholding the certificate while Coleman challenges the election in the federal court system.

“The Republican Party nationally and in Minnesota is playing not just with fire, but with dynamite,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar, a Democrat and the dean of Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

.....

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/20785.html

---

Doesn't it just suck when the good of your state interferes with personal political ambitions???

[Mz Pip]

1. If any good comes of this

prolonged legal battle it will be the deterioration of the Republican "Brand" in MN. Pawlenty will look obstructionist if he refuses to sign off on Franken and the GOP will make him persona non grata if he does. Win-win for the good guys.

[Window]

65. I agree. Everything the Republicans touch lately turns to shit.

Serves their evil asses right.

[midnight]

2. Good luck Sen. Franken.

[midnight]

3. Good luck Sen. Franken.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. I predict Pawlenty will play to the Right Wing.

[valerief]

54. Yeah, he'll do what he's told to do. Unless he has a skiing accident. nt

[NMDemDist2]

5. I just sent Al another $25 for the legal fees

what a mess

[otohara]

6. Interesting Predicament

what will he do?

[Vanje]

7. The headline should read: Coleman puts Pawlenty in a jam

From the cited article:
"Of course, Coleman could spare Pawlenty a difficult decision by dropping his appeal if he is losing after the state’s Supreme Court rules — but his Republican colleagues in Washington are showing no signs of letting this go away quietly."

[progressoid]

9. Exactly. This is on Coleman's head. n/t

[SomeGuyInEagan]

22. As a Minnesotan, I can tell you that most of us see it that way ...

And Coleman doesn't care. Coleman has no future in this state. He's a puppet for the monied obstructionists who are and have been working against everybody but the upper one percent in this country for decades. And when this finally all plays out - and I suspect it will be at least another year - he will find himself with a fat bank account and a job with a "think tank" somewhere. He may have no conscience or morals or employment possibilities outside the narrow field, but he'll be financially set (and have health insurance) for doing this for them.

And, frankly, by the 2012 cycle, the message that Franken cheated will have been so drilled into the heads of Minnesotans that some will actually believe it. Pawlenty will smile and the national money will roll in and the local media will roll over for him (even Minnesota Public Radio, as it has done for years).

[Odin2005]

29. Coleman is SLIME. He was a DFLer until the political winds changed.

Then he decided to switch to the Pukes. :puke:

[dflprincess]

36. It wasn't really the political winds that changed

Normie knew there was no where for him to go in the DFL; there were too many ahead of him for any statewide office. And, so the story goes, the powers that be in the party were a bit worried about what would happen if Normie's fidelity issues went public.

[starroute]

32. Coleman already got a job -- with the Republican Jewish Coalition

People like him always get their needs taken care of.

http://www.rjchq.org/Newsroom/newsdetail.aspx?id=997553a3-39d6-49f1-b684-d7e3d586c03a

Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2009) -- Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks announced today that Senator Norm Coleman (MN) has agreed to join the RJC as a consultant and strategic advisor. In this capacity, Coleman will help the RJC as it plans for the future and looks at ways to continue its historic record of growth and success. Coleman will also provide strategic guidance on important policy matters affecting the organization and the Jewish community. In addition, Coleman, a tremendously popular speaker, will travel around the country on behalf of the RJC, speaking in Jewish communities across the country on the state of current affairs. Finally, Coleman will also help the RJC recruit and expand its national leadership base. Coleman will not engage in any lobbying on behalf of the organization.


http://www.minnpost.com/cynthiadizikes/2009/03/31/7777/republican_jewish_coalition_touts_norm_coleman%E2%80%99s_contributions_as_consultant

Republican Jewish Coalition touts Norm Coleman’s contributions as consultant
By Cynthia Dizikes | Published Tue, Mar 31 2009

Despite having a full-time legal fight on his hands, former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman is no slacker at his new job with the Republican Jewish Coalition, according to the group’s executive director, Matt Brooks.

Since joining the organization as a paid consultant, the Republican has been to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Brooks said Coleman’s work has ranged from speaking about policy positions at larger meetings to acting as a strategic adviser to members of the group’s leadership.

“We’ve been keeping him busy,” said Brooks.

Coleman announced in January that he was taking the job to make money while he continues to wrangle with Democrat Al Franken over the final outcome of the Minnesota Senate race.

[beac]

52. strategic advisor ???????

What kind of "strategery", as our old friend Chimpy would say, is Coleman qualified to advise on? How to lose an election and screw over the people of your state by drawing it out???

Pathetic.

[roguevalley]

39. hopefully he'll be in jail for fraud. I love Minnesota. I am sorry for all of this.

[blondeatlast]

31. Precisely. No media bias there, nosirree.

:thumbsup:

[Odin2005]

58. It's blantant, ain't it?

:puke:

[No Elephants]

49. Absolutely correct. Coleman is putting Pawlenty in a bind, not Frankin. Politico pimps.

[geardaddy]

55. That's right.

Norm just can't go quietly.

[Deja Q]

63. Quite. The use of the F-word, "Franken", is utterly misleading and isn't accurate either.

[bleever]

8. Pawlenty's in a jam, and Coleman is toast.

Good morning, Senator Franken!

[Odin2005]

30. DUzy!!!

:rofl:

[woofless]

10. Who is footing the bill for all these appeals?

I thought Coleman was broke. Can the RNC cover the legal costs? Will they? Should be interesting as well as annoying.

[LuckyLib]

37. Deep pocket Republicans have been bankrolling this -- from all over the country.

Normie is a waterboy for the big guys. A perfect sleaze.

[rhett o rick]

11. I don't know why the republiCons are fighting this so hard. It is only a delay.

I mean with the blue turncoat dogs in their pocket, the republiCons can control the Senate.

[droidamus2]

61. Wouldn't surprise me

It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Republicans have convinced themselves that they can actually stretch this out for 4 years and never seat Franken (unless he won again of course). I think this whole case sets a real bad precedent in our Democracy. Nobody should be able to use the courts as a counter action to a duly run and counted election. There should be a time limit on how long it can go on before the tentative winner is seated let's say 2 months after the beginning of the Congress they were elected to. Of course then you run into the problem of them using the courts to tie up any recounts. Ultimately if the apparent 'loser' is found to be the winner somewhere down the road you just make the change. After seeing this I have to ask how many out there think the Republicans don't really believe in our form of Government and given the chance would revert to some kind of Aristocracy run system?

[rhett o rick]

68. Wouldn't surprise me a bit. nm

[BlueIdaho]

12. The MSM is starting to talk about Minnesota

Asking awkward questions about this ugly little mess. If Good and Plenty really wants a national political future in today's climate he can't just cave to the right while most of america is moving center left.

[Vanje]

13. So is MN currently represented by only 1 Senator?

I admit, I havnt kept up very well.
Does MN have an acting interim Senator , or does MN at present have only half of its due representation in the Senate?

If MN has only one vote in the SEnate instead of it's allotted two , then I would think her citizens would be angry.

[Bette Noir]

15. Yes, they currently have half representation.

Maybe Minnesotans should threaten to withhold half their taxes.

[Vanje]

16. I'd think the MN citizenry would be getting restless, by now. nt

[dflprincess]

17. We're used to it.

We've really only had one senator since Wellstone died. Though with Klobuchar flirting with the Blue Dogs, we could soon be down to no representation in the Senate.

[kenfrequed]

24. Yes

It is incredibly irritating. Damned repukes. Of course if the Dems had gone with Jack instead of Franken we would already have won.

That said I really want Senator Franken in there NOW. Today. Especially now that Kloubachar is flirting with the senate equivalent of the Blue Dogs.

[Bette Noir]

14. Pawlenty is in a no-win situation:

If he certifies the election, he alienates the right wing, the support of which is necessary for a Republican to get nominated.

If he doesn't, he alienates moderates of both parties, and anyone who believes in either the sanctity of the vote, the rights of states to govern themselves without federal interference, or the rule of law.

His best bet, under those conditions, is to certify the vote and jump parties.

[dflprincess]

18. If Pawlenty tries to join the DFL I think we'll have to say

"Thanks, but no thanks Tim."

[KamaAina]

23. Maybe Jesse "The Body" Ventura would bite

remember, the third-party candidacy of his campaign manager Dean Barkley is what got us into this mess; head-to-head, Sen. Franken would have cleaned Coleman's clock on Election Night.

[dflprincess]

26. Third party candidates are what gave us Pawlenty

He has only won his statewide races with pluralities. The last time with 45%, the first time with less than that.

In fact, third party candidates gave us Michelle Bachmann in the 6th CD and Eric Paulson in the 3rd.

Minnesota is the poster state for instant run off voting.

[eyepaddle]

19. Well, to certify the vote at any rate.

Pawlenty is a full on rock ribbed Repub. I can't imnagine any case where he'd switch parties. And if he did, I can't imagine Minnesotans being fooled for a second. For good or ill, his conservative bona fides are in order.

[Deja Q]

64. To certify the vote AND respect the sancitity of the vote by acknowledging it. Being a "good loser".

He'd almost be in a 'win' situation. At least by comparison.

[90-percent]

20. despicable Republicans

How can the Republican Party even hope to make Pawlenty defy the will of the people of Minnesota? How many unfair tactics do the Republicans have to support before America says ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

Give 'em hell Al. Tell the truth and make 'em think it's hell!

-90% Jimmy

[felinetta]

21. I love the title: FRANKEN puts Pawlenty in a jam! Wrong!

Coleman puts Pawlenty in a jam. Al Franken won! Coleman can't
admit he lost!

[AndrewP]

25. Coleman has a history of one upping Pawlenty

In 2002 Pawlenty was set to announce his bid for Paul Wellstone's Senate seat. The press conference was already set.

But earlier in the day T-Paw got a call from Karl Rove stating that the White House wanted to put Norm Coleman in that race and move T-Paw to the Governor's office which was being vacated by Governor Ventura.

Pawlenty was pissed of, but played ball so he could remain in good standing.

Odd that 7 years later Coleman needs him again.

[Dookiestix]

27. I believe this is what's called Karma

And the rightwingers are experiencing an awful lot of that these days.

[sellitman]

41. Yes and after 8 years of crap it is wonderful being a Dem again.

I love watching the other side fall apart. This gets better and better every day Coleman obstructs the will of the people. Dragging Pawlenty down is an added bonus.

:popcorn:

[Odin2005]

28. Timmy the RW Tool can take his political ambitions and shove them up his rear.

The only reason that fucker is governor is because the Ventura-ists take votes away from the DFL.

[geardaddy]

56. Bingo.

[War Pigs]

33. seat him already. is rush limbaugh still a big, fat , idiot??

it's going to be like a late christmas present. the delays will only enhance our joy and add another bitter, crushing defeat to these turds lives. yea!! i may have to break down and get a tivo just for Senator Franken!!!!:bounce:

[d_b]

34. Coleman put him in the jam

[George II]

35. This may not be over even before Coleman's corruption trial!

[Stellabella]

38. Pawlenty is a cross-eyed weasel.

I hate his guts because he's hurt my state. How anyone could vote for that slimy little asshole is beyond me. He had damn well better sign that certificate or he's going to face some backlash.

[Dinger]

40. Kicked : )

[kmlisle]

42. Sign the Petition asking Norm to "Give it up"

Here is a link to the DSCC petition asking Norm to concede.

It states: "After a grueling election, a statewide ballot-by-ballot recount, and more than 7 weeks in court, Al Franken will be declared the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota—again, " the petition says. "But Norm Coleman just won’t acknowledge is’t over. His lawyers say he’s going to appeal—again."

The media is starting to give Norm that dreaded "sore loser" label. Time to quit!

[Rebel Scum]

44. Signed, and K&R

[SteelPenguin]

43. Yuck

Pawlenty Jam? I don't think that would taste very good.

:silly:

[Chipper Chat]

46. Yeah, I prefer Smuckers.

Or is that Schmuckers?

[geardaddy]

57. It's like toe jam

only more disgusting.

[Strato222]

45. Is it time

to put the heat on Pawlenty if he does not certify, depending on the sentiment of Minnesotans, party before representation seems like a good reason for recall (don't know what Minn's laws are on that. Seems it could at least put a stink on him in terms of future elections.

[Mnpaul]

47. Pawlenty puts Pawlenty in a jam

Soon to follow: Pawlenty rallied against Wellstone when he was seeking a third term. It will be a good issue to beat him up with if he runs for Gov again.

http://www.dustytrice.com/?p=962

[damntexdem]

48. Maybe in a jam, but I don't Pawlenty on my breakfast toast.

But it looks like no matter what he does, Pawlenty preserves are going to be hard to come by in 2012. ;-)

[INdemo]

50. As I recall the Republicans faired really well the last time an election went to

Federal Court...The SCOTUS? remember?..

[liberal N proud]

51. The never ending Senate race

[niyad]

53. and let us not forget that coleman wouldn't even BE a former senator (really, didn't his

term expire on 6 jan???) if it hadn't been for the (for the repukes, anyway) the oh-so-convenient tragic death of paul wellstone and party?

and isn't COLEMAN the one who told franken on 5 nov that he had better not even think about appealing if he lost?

make him eat his words.

[Dinger]

59. Wellstone Was Assassinated, And coleman Knows It, And he Also said that he was " A 99%

improvement over Paul Wellstone." Fuck norm, forever and ever amen.

[cadmium]

60. Maybe it is time to start making plans

to march on St Paul if this doesn't end soon.

[Dinger]

67. I Live In Wisconsin, But I'd Come

in a heart beat. St. Paul is about 3 hours from where I live. Tell me where and when, and I will report for my patriotic duty!:patriot:

[Divine Discontent]

66. agreed - f him! what a dick, a lowly slime ball that caters to the 1%ers. MN voters should march.

[Swede Atlanta]

62. Pawlenty will do as all good Repukkkes do....bow to Limpballs

Pawlenty doesn't dare upset the head of the Grand Obstructionist Party, Rush Limpballs. He will do Limp's bidding by refusing to sign the certificate. This will potentially drag out in the federal courts for sometime, exactly what Slime Cornyn from Texass has threatened. Hopefully a U.S. District Court will review the case and find that there were no irregularities here, no violation of anyone's civil rights or violation of the U.S. Constitution. I think the Repukkkes think this can be a repeat of Bush v. Gore. I think they are sadly mistaken because this involves representation from one state, not the entire country.

No matter what he does Pawlenty will have difficulty in 2012 with the "base" as he is not a Bible whackin, fetus protectin, fag hatin, gun totin, union bustin, tax cuttin CONservative.

[wroberts189]

69. It wil backfire on them. It always does these days. nt

[xxqqqzme]

70. Has Franken started his re-election campaign yet?