Norm Coleman's observer watches the recount. (AP Photo/Mankato Free Press, John Cross)
Al Franken’s improving odds
What happened
The gap between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman narrowed to 126 votes on Thursday, after Minnesota officials counted about 46 percent of the 2.9 million ballots cast in the state's undecided Senate race. (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune)
What the commentators said
We're clearly "heading for a photo finish," said John Hinderaker in Power Line. But it's hard to interpret the figures so far. It would make sense that Franken gained ground if, as expected, the first precincts recounted were in Democrat-friendly cities, but it's unclear if that was the case.
Even after the recount is complete, said Markos Moulitsas Zuniga in DailyKos, there will be the challenged ballots to contend with, and Coleman is being more aggressive in challenging ballots, which might give him the advantage. But for now, "all that is important is that the deficit is narrowing, and that if this rate holds (no guarantee, of course) then Franken will narrowly win the race."
One reason for all the confusion, said David Knowles in AOL News, is that we're dealing with a "razor-thin contest" in which people cast votes using different equipment in counties across the state. Oh, and the Democrats' hopes for a filibuster-proof Senate majority hang in the balance. "Why can't this country finally standardize the process of how we vote, especially when it comes to races that have national implications?"
Comment on this article
Recent comments | 56 total
I hope Al wins, the republicans are slime balls only interested in helping the rich & reducing the middle class to the poor class. We need to do away with voting machines, banks can handle ATMs all over the world, why can't we use a banking type of system to count votes, the banks don't screw-up I never get more money than I request at an ATM.
It will really make my day should Al win! Isn't it time we get all these war criminals out of government?
This problem is so simple to fix. Paper ballots for everyone with chain of custody from voter to final tabulation and storage for audit purposes. Can't beat that system without overt fraud.
Al Franken is one of the few democrats running that was opposed to the bailout, I applaud him. He's one of very few congressmen/hopefuls that I have faith in. Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are two others. Please get over these Republican / Democrat Red Team / Blue team false paradigms, and look at the individuals records. One can hardly blame Republicans for everything, but if you have a simple mind, or don't want to think critically, it sure is easy! Like Democrats don't help the rich! HAHAHA! NAFTA anyone? Megafarm subsidies? Hello! Did anyone see the corporate donations to Obama? Or Biden begging for war in Iraq on the senate floor? Or that the KKK was started by Democrats? Wake up. The elite divide and conquer us with this pick a team mindset. We have choice. The choices the media decides for us. Here, you get to pick out of these two parties. Wow, America, stop being so dense!
Al Franken is one of the few democrats running that was opposed to the bailout, I applaud him. He's one of very few congressmen/hopefuls that I have faith in. Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are two others. Please get over these Republican / Democrat Red Team / Blue team false paradigms, and look at the individuals records. One can hardly blame Republicans for everything, but if you have a simple mind, or don't want to think critically, it sure is easy! Like Democrats don't help the rich! HAHAHA! NAFTA anyone? Megafarm subsidies? Hello! Did anyone see the corporate donations to Obama? Or Biden begging for war in Iraq on the senate floor? Or that the KKK was started by Democrats? Wake up. The elite divide and conquer us with this pick a team mindset. We have choice. The choices the media decides for us. Here, you get to pick out of these two parties. Wow, America, stop being so dense!
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