Senate race certification set for Monday with Franken up 225 votes

[Doughboy71]

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on Coleman's request to consider more wrongly rejected ballots.

By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE and MIKE KASZUBA, Star Tribune

Last update: January 4, 2009 - 9:27 AM

DFLer Al Franken won an impressive share Saturday of what may be the last ballots tallied in the U.S. Senate recount, boosting his unofficial lead over Sen. Norm Coleman to 225 votes heading into a Monday meeting where the state Canvassing Board will certify the final result of the race.

At least two things, however, still stand in the way of Franken becoming Minnesota's newest U.S. senator: the possibility of a ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court that more wrongly rejected absentee ballots should be counted, and a legal contest that Coleman attorneys all but promised should Franken prevail.

www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/37047159.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DU

I think Gov. Pawlenty will be dragging his feet to certify the totals wanting to give Coleman more time to wage his court battle.

[Hokie]

1. Not quite accurate

First, Pawlenty must wait 7 days to certify by law. If Coleman files a challenge in the intervening period then certification is delayed until the challenge is resolved. We don't like that rule in this case but it is the way the law reads. What the board will do on Monday is officially accept the results of the recount and recommend that Franken be certified as the winner.

I am still predicting that Coleman will conceded next week after he accesses the chances of a challenge being successful. A challenge could cost millions to fund and if he loses it is his money to burn.

[grantcart]

2. also with little chance of winnning he would only hurt his future chances in MN while

if he gets out now he could look gracious.

[Hokie]

3. Typo

I meant to say I think Coleman will concede next week after the SC rules on or more likely denies his latest motion and the CB rules Franken won the recount.