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Senate Recount Trial Moves to Public Opinion

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Minnesota's disputed Senate election has been the subject of intense litigation, but now both parties are taking the fight to the public opinion stage. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez launched a website, GiveitupNorm.com, calling on Republican Norm Coleman to concede the election and drop further legal challenges. Meanwhile, state GOP Chairman Ron Carey has started a petition on MnGOP.com urging Coleman to "keep on fighting." The judges in the case haven't yet rendered a final verdict, but Coleman's lawyers expect to lose and plan to appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DFL and Republican parties are engaged in a public relations battle over the Minnesota Senate recount, with each side trying to sway public opinion.
  • The DFL has launched a website, GiveitupNorm.com, calling on Republican Norm Coleman to concede the election and drop further legal challenges.
  • The GOP has started a petition on MnGOP.com urging Coleman to "keep on fighting" and to reconsider counting 4,400 absentee ballots that were previously disqualified.
  • Coleman's lawyers expect to lose the trial and plan to appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
  • The case centers on the disputed absentee ballots, with the DFL arguing that Coleman's success in convincing judges to disqualify them has unfairly denied Franken representation in Washington.
  • The issue is not just about the election, but also about the representation of Minnesota in the Senate and the delays that will impact the state's interests.

Statistics:

  • 2.9 million votes were cast in the November 4 election.
  • 4,400 absentee ballots were previously disqualified due to a stricter standard set by the judges.
  • 351 absentee ballots were counted on Tuesday, increasing Al Franken's lead over Norm Coleman from 225 votes to 312.
  • The case has been ongoing for nearly 100 days, leaving Minnesota without equal representation in Washington.

Sources:

  • Brian Melendez (State DFL Chair) - GiveitupNorm.com
  • Ron Carey (State GOP Chairman) - MnGOP.com
  • Kevin Duchschere (Star Tribune Staff Writer) - Article: "Recount's moving into court of public opinion"

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