Minn. Supreme Court Denies Coleman Petition
The Minnesota Supreme Court today rejected a bid by Republican Norm Coleman to have hundreds of rejected absentee ballots considered in the U.S. Senate recount, apparently clearing the way for a state board to certify election results showing Democrat Al Franken on top — and also opening the door to a post-recount lawsuit that the Coleman campaign said “is now inevitable.”
The state Canvassing Board is scheduled to meet this afternoon to review recount results. Heading into the meeting, Franken holds an unofficial 225-vote lead.
The morning headlines tell the story:
- Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Senate race certification set for Monday with Franken up 225 votes
- CNN: Panel to declare Franken winner of Senate race
- Washington Post: Franken to be declared Senate victor in Minnesota
Those and more via Jed L at DailyKos.
MediaMatters isn’t happy that MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer suggested there is “a cloud over Franken” because lawsuit or filibuster could impede efforts to seat him in Senate.
And Ezra Klein points to Brian Beutler on the ins-and-outs of cloture:
if there are 99 seated senators, then the number for cloture…drops from 60 to 59. If there are 98 seated senators, it stays at 59. In other words, if Franken’s election gets tied up in litigation but Burris is appointed to Obama’s Senate seat and serves, then there is no effective difference for the Democrats. If Franken gets tied up in litigation and the Illinois seat gets tied up in rules, then the Democrats have to find an additional Republican vote on most major piece of legislation.
