Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > December > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThings looking bad for Franken in Minn.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s Senate runoff between Jim Martin and Saxby Chambliss has drawn national attention in large part because of the possibility that a Martin victory would give Democrats 60 seats in the Senate, enough to close off filibusters.
However, Sen. Jim Martin would become that 60th vote only if Sen. Al Franken became the 59th. And that seems highly unlikely. Franken has fallen behind by more than 300 votes in the Minnesota Senate recount (although the Franken camp claims the real margin is less than 80), with less than 10 percent of the votes still to be recounted.
According to The Hill, Franken’s camp is even considering taking the fight to the floor of the Senate:
“Al Franken’s (D) campaign may ask the Democratic-led Senate to intervene on his behalf to allow some disqualified absentee ballots to be counted in his quest to unseat Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.).
Franken attorney Marc Elias made the case to reporters Monday that as many as 1,000 absentee ballots were improperly disqualified and that the Senate or the courts may need to step in to resolve the issue.
“No recount can be considered accurate or complete until all the ballots cast by lawful voters are counted,” Elias said of the recount that became necessary when only about 200 votes separated the two candidates on Nov. 4.
Minnesota’s Board of Canvassers ruled last Wednesday that it would not revisit the improperly disqualified ballots. The bipartisan board ruled unanimously that it did not have the authority to order that the ballots be reviewed and counted.
Elias said that of the 12,000 disqualified absentee ballots in the race, “as many as 1,000” ballots were improperly excluded, and should be counted. He added that the campaign would appeal to the Board of Canvassers, courts or the U.S. Senate to ensure those ballots are counted. Last week, Elias had indicated that the campaign would not directly appeal the board’s ruling.
The U.S. Constitution allows each congressional chamber to be the “Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members.”
Taking it to the Senate would be a big mistake, and Senate Democrats ought to refuse to get involved if Franken dares to push things that far. Franken has the right and even the obligation to press Minnesota officials to count every legal ballot, but in the end the decision should be made in Minnesota, not by politicians in Washington.
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Comments
By Shawny
December 2, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Will someone tell that comedian to go back to comedy? What a joke (pun intented).
By joey
December 2, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Jay: Thank you for posting this opinion. This is the 18th time in 20+ years that you and I have agreed on an issue. What is that: We agree 0.68% of the time?
By DB, Gwinnettian
December 2, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
You haven’t really explained why you believe Franken should “dare to push things that far.” I figure he’s entitled to use any legal means available to him, including the Senate if it comes to that.
Frankly I’ve no idea why you’d object to it, even after re-reading your post, save for some notion that “the decision should be made in Minnesota, not by politicians in Washington.” Why? A Senator is a national post; he or she votes on issues that affect every American citizen (and beyond.)
Whether it’s Franken or Coleman bringing a case to court, the same principle applies: If justice can’t be obtained in MN then it should be all rights be pursued in DC.
By Class of '98
December 2, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Franken’s not good enough, he’s not smart enough, and doggone it, people like Norm Coleman.
By DB, Gwinnettian
December 2, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
And by “should” @ 3.03 of course I meant to write “shouldn’t.” Mea culpa.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Jay:
an update
New Breakthrough in Effort to Count Every Vote: Secretary of State Directs Local Officials to Review Uncounted Absentee Ballots
Posted in Press Releases on December 2nd, 2008
Local Officials Will Re-Examine And Sort Previously Rejected Ballots - Ballots That Do Not Meet A Legal Qualification For Rejection Will Be Separated Out
Franken Campaign Applauds Efforts Of Elections Officials
SAINT PAUL <12/02/08> – In a major development toward counting improperly rejected absentee ballots, the Secretary of State’s office today directed county auditors and county and city election officials to review all previously-rejected absentee ballots and determine whether they fall under one of the four legal reasons for rejecting a ballot. The absentee ballot review will begin on December 8.
The communication, from Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann, lays out the four legal reasons for rejecting an absentee ballot:
The ballot was rejected because the voter’s name and address on the return envelope are not the same as the information provided on the absentee ballot application.
The voter’s signature on the return envelope is not the genuine signature of the individual who made the application for the ballot and the signature is required under applicable Minnesota law, or the certificate has not been completed as prescribed in the directions for casting an absentee ballot.
The voter was not registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has not included a properly completed voter registration application.
The voter had already voted at the election, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Previously-rejected absentee ballots that do not fall into one of those four categories will be placed in a fifth pile. Under Minnesota state law, there is no other legal reason for rejecting an absentee ballot.
Communications Director Andy Barr:
“We appreciate the Secretary of State’s guidance and the hard work of the local elections officials who have done such great work throughout the election process. That process is not complete until every vote is counted. And today’s directive is an important step in ensuring that happens.”
The Franken campaign is focused on making sure every vote is counted — not only those included in the recount, but also those absentee ballots that have been improperly rejected and those that appear to have been lost. The Secretary of State has said there are roughly 12,000 absentee ballots rejected this past election. The Secretary of State has also estimated that 500 of them were wrongly rejected — a number greater than the likely difference between Coleman and Franken at the end of the hand count. The Franken campaign actually estimates this pile is even larger — up to 1,000 ballots.
We are determined to ensure that every Minnesotan who cast a vote — either in person or via absentee — ought to have that vote counted. And whether it is at the county level, at the canvass board, in the courts or before the United States Senate, we don’t know yet. But because we believe the principle that every vote cast ought to be counted is universal, we remain confident these votes will be counted.
No recount should be considered complete or accurate until all the ballots are counted — that includes the improperly rejected absentee ballots, and any missing ballots from around the state.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 at 14:47 and is filed under Press Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
By getalife
December 2, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
“Nearly 200 ballots that somehow managed not to get counted since Election Day have turned up in a Minnesota precinct that went for Al Franken.” TPM
By JAY BOOKMAN
December 2, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
To expand on my thoughts above, DB, the senator representing Minnesota should be elected by the people of Minnesota according to the laws of Minnesota. Even a very narrow and legally contested margin of 50 votes out of millions cast would be more legitimate than having the senator of Minnesota elected by 99 men and women NOT from Minnesota, voting on the basis of partisan gain.
Furthermore, that kind of partisan free-for-all would make it more difficult to tackle the far more important issues faced by Congress.
I like Franken. I’ve met him and talked with him, and I think he’s a serious politician who is smart and cares for his country. I wish he had won. But I don’t like him so much that I would advocate that the Senate install him in that position.
I’d also distinguish between the courts and the Senate. If Franken has a legal case to make, he should do so. But taking it to the Senate would transform it into a political case, and it’s just not worth it.
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
getalife,
It was 171 “new” ballots and the precinct only went to Franken by 6% the first time around. Assuming they are genuinely overlooked ballots they should only net Franken 10-11 votes.
By AmVet
December 2, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
As for the Gopher crowd, it doesn’t matter much to me.
Yes, Coleman is a bit of a spineless neo-con nitwit, but still preferable to the vast majority of the other Republicans in Washington.
I just wanted to see Franken win, so we could all watch that wretched Republitoadie Bill O’Tooley choke on his festering tongue…
By DB, Gwinnettian
December 2, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Jay, fair enough. I think we would both agree that, ideally, it shouldn’t have to come down to the Senate intervening; whatever decision the officials come up with in MN ought to be just and fair.
For those just happening upon this thread, you might want to consider the Constitutional basis for Franken’s option apparently under consideration (article I, sect. 4).
By demwit
December 2, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Perhaps Franken would reconsider a come back on SNL. They’re in dire need of comedy talent this year…, unlike the US Congress.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Frankly (no pun intended), Franken was much more believable (and at least funny) as the Hari Krishna knucklehead on the early Saturday Night Live episodes.
By getalife
December 2, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
RW,
“Late Update: The Coleman campaign is calling foul, claiming the total ballots for this precinct now exceed the number of voters who officially signed in by 31 people — and they’re also saying these new ballots would apparently give Franken a net pickup of 37 votes, though it’s not exactly clear how they concluded this. The county is looking into the situation.”
My head spins.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
To JAY
Off topic but important:
Heard on the news today that there are approximately 4,000 Jews in India out of a population of over a billion …. yet a couple of the Mumbai terrorists hunted down and targeted a specific rabbi/Jews for torture and execution.
Pure Evil!
Jay, I would like to hear your rationale for this. The Jews have been horrendously targeted all over the world since Abraham. I have the very simple answer but would like to hear you first.
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
DB ragger,
If we’re going to follow article 1 section 4 of the Constitution should we also follow article 1 section 6? Aside from that the 17th amendment seems to significantly alter the argument based on art 1 sect 4.
By mike hussein smith
December 2, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Nate Silver seems to agree with Jay, with two important caveats: With in excess of 90 percent of Minnesota’s votes now having been recounted, our statistical models now show Norm Coleman as the favorite to retain his senate seat, although with a high degree of uncertainty and without accounting the effects of potential rejected absentee ballots.
By JAY BOOKMAN
December 2, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
There can be no rationale for irrational hatred, Corporal.
By flip wilson
December 2, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Like the rest of the media, Jay is obsessed with the “60 votes” story. But the fact is, most Senators will not toe the “party line” on any particular issue. On some issues, Democrats will have more than enough votes to break a filibuster; on others they will not. One thing is for sure, though - Sissy Saxby will vote against almost everything that President Obama tries to accomplish.
By jacksmith
December 2, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
WE HAVE MORE TO DO:
Democrat Jim Martin is in a runoff against Bush Republican Saxby Chambliss for the Senate seat from Georgia. Bush’s Saxby Chambliss voted against spending a few measly dollars to provide health care coverage for Georgia, and Americas needy children. But he supported wasting hundreds of billions of your dollars, and the life BLOOD of Americas finest on an unnecessary war in Iraq.
At a time when 47 million of you have no health insurance coverage, and over 100 million of you with insurance are just one major illness away from complete financial destruction. Bush and Saxby Chambliss voted to make the heart break of bankruptcy relief even harder for all of you to use.
You see, Bush and Saxby Chambliss, and his family don’t have to worry about their health care coverage. They have the finest health care coverage your tax money can buy for them. Courtesy of you. The American Tax payer. In fact, no one but the super rich can afford the health care coverage you the tax payer provide for Saxby Chambliss, and his family for FREE! with your tax dollars.
He supposedly works for you. But he doesn’t think you and your family should have access to the type of taxpayer supported FREE health care that you provide for him, and his loved ones for FREE!. Doesn’t that just make you BURRING MAD!
Vote for JIM MARTIN for US senator from Georgia. Vote for JIM Martin who will be on your side. Vote for JIM MARTIN who will work with President Obama and a majority congress for you. Vote for JIM MARTIN most of all for your-self, your family’s, friends, and loved ones. Vote for JIM MARTIN for a better America, and a better World.
Don’t let Saxby Chambliss make a chump out of you by tricking you into voting against your own best interest. Saxby chambliss is NOT! on your side. He’s not one of you. He is on George Bush’s side. And we all know what a catastrophe the Bush Chambliss administration has been the past 8 years.
Contact all your family and friends and do every thing you can to see to it that JIM MARTIN and GEORGIANS! take that senate seat back for Georgia, and America. No matter where you live in America. This is important to you. President Obama will need all the help, and power you can give him to try and fix this catastrophic mess that the Corrupt Bush Chambliss administration has created.
As I said before you will have to vote in overwhelming numbers to overcome the Bush Chambliss “Let Them Eat Cake” vote fraud machine. Vote early if you can. Then help everyone you can get to the polls and vote for JIM MARTIN. You and your loved ones don’t have to be Saxby Chambliss’s victims anymore.
I know you will get it done. Just like you did for President Obama.
God bless all of you
jacksmith - WORKING CLASS… :-)
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
To Jay
Thanks for your reply. I hear you but I respectfully disagree …. and you may not agree with my answer but here goes. It comes from the heart with no politics intended.
I believe there is a God and I believe there is a Satan. For the time being (and as a human this is out of my league) God for His purposes is allowing Satan pretty much free reign.
The Messiah comes from Israel!
Obviously, Christians believe He (Jesus) has already come and is coming again and Jews believe He is yet to come.
Satan (who is not omniscient like God) thinks he can destroy the Jews to keep that from happening. He has tried throughout history to do just that from their bondage in Egypt, to the Holocaust, to present day attempts to destroy the State of Israel and innocent Jews everywhere. He has used Pharoahs, Nazis and now Islamic terrorists as his pawns in that endeavor.
It’s just that simple.
But of course thankfully, we know the last chapter and as a result we must fight on together…..
By RealityKing
December 2, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Sorry but Franken’s political shenanigans prove him to be just another self-absorbed politician that cares more about himself than his country..
By AJC/DNC Management
December 2, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
I’ll just be glad to see all the Jim Martin spam go away, 60 votes or not.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 2, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Another freaking long night in store, waiting on the libs to count their ballots in Fulton County.
The quicker will tell them how many they need, the quicker they will get them doctored up.
I got an idea, why don’t we hold back a big sack of them from Cobb County and wait until Fulton says they are “done?”
Surprise the snot out of these crooks.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 2, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Really, we can tell everybody that one of our poll workers took a voting booth home with them by accident, gasp, and remembered it was in their car in the morning.
Full of Chambliss votes too!
By NRB
December 2, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Jim Martin has no business even running here in Ga.
We’re a blue state and will stay that way. It’s part of why I moved here. Any time a Democrat gets into power, they ruin everything. It happened in New York, Mass., and most of New England.
High taxes, no jobs, no thanks! I’ll move again if I have to but I will NEVER support a worthless Democrat, nor do I want to live under one.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Headline
“”Biological Attack on U.S. ‘Likely’
Panel finds the United States can expect a terrorist attack using nuclear or biological weapons in less than five years.”
O.K. Barry. Get in those starting blocks. Let’s see what you can do.
By Taxpayer
December 2, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Hatred is irrational, Jay. In fact, it’s emotional.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
NRB,
You sound just like a Chambliss political ad.
Do you memorize them?
By Booger
December 2, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
No jobs in “high-tax” New England, NRB?
Really?
According to the federal government, the unemployment rate for October in Mass. was 5.5 percent; in New Hampshire it was 4.1 percent; in Conn. it was 6.5 percent; in Maine it was 5.7 percent; in Vermont it was 5.2 percent.
In Georgia it was 7 percent.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
To Taxpayer
In this case, this world-wide Islamic terrorist evil hatred for the Jew is nothing less than satanic!
By swolf
December 2, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Chambliss is, was, and always has been nothing more or less than a nice warm nose for his Republican bosses. If re-elected his only purpose will be to act as an obstructionist to nearly every bill that comes up…unless ist was submitted by a Republican.
By Paul
December 2, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Midori
Cold weather is an excellent time for that slow-roasted pork…
…and lots of Chardonnay ain’t bad when reading here, too!
By AJC/DNC Management
December 2, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
By swolf December 2, 2008 6:13 PM Chambliss is, was, and always has been nothing more or less than a nice warm nose for his Republican bosses. If re-elected his only purpose will be to act as an obstructionist to nearly every bill that comes up…unless ist was submitted by a Republican.
Genius: The kkkampaign is over, give it a rest.
Go home, get some sleep, get rested up for the mountains of Palin lies and propaganda posting that you will be tasked with tomorrow. Keep an eye on the Daily Kooks website for further instructions.
I hope this recount serves as a lesson to Chambliss, should he prevail that is, to get fewer votes than your own party’s presidential candidate should tell you that people were not happy with the “bailout” and your little oil “drilling” episode.
No more crossing the aisle, capiche?
You better be a good little wingnut from now on.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
too lazy to cook Paul, and too early in the evening for my Chardonnay :)
I picked up a copy of “Wanted” today; saving my Chardonnay for when I watch the movie later this evening :)
By Midori
December 2, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Jay — another update in the Franken recount:
It’s Official: Franken Picks Up Three Dozen New Votes! By Eric Kleefeld - December 2, 2008, 4:54PM
This is huge. It’s now official that Al Franken netted 37 votes from those newly-discovered 171 ballots in the St. Paul suburb of Maplewood, a potentially seismic shift that could throw the recount to Franken if these numbers withstand any potential legal challenges.
Ramsey County elections manager Joe Mansky just confirmed to us by phone that Franken picked up a net 37 votes over Norm Coleman from these ballots. The ballots were just discovered this morning, after an apparent machine breakdown on Election Night prevented them from being counted the first time around — but the hand count had no similar problems picking them out.
Mansky also addressed a complaint by the Coleman campaign, which alleged earlier today that these suspicious new ballots meant more votes were being recorded from this precinct than the number of people who had signed in. “It looks to us like they forgot to add in the voter registration information for the absentee voters.” When the registration data was added in, the numbers matched — meaning the Coleman campaign’s complaint apparently has no merit.
Let’s put in perspective what this means. The Franken campaign estimates that they trailed Norm Coleman by 50 votes as of last night, taking into account their methodology on the challenged ballots.
This number alone now reduces Franken’s deficit to a mere 13 votes — a number that could be easily undone as the remaining 7% of the ballots are counted. So depending on how other factors turn out, things are suddenly looking very good for Al.
By Taxpayer
December 2, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Corporal,
You most certainly are free to describe hatred as satanic as long as you want to maintain a link between hatred and religion. It does not have to be that way though. Some people simply choose to use religion as a tool — an means to an end. Others choose different approaches. For example, I prefer to think of terrorists as criminals, murderers, thugs, etc., and keep the Crusades out of it. I think we would all be better off with that view rather than dragging different religions through the mud.
By Paul
December 2, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Midori
I know the feeling. I must admit I dug through the freezer and dug out a steak. Lazy can still taste good!
Haven’t seen Wanted. Just looked at the trailer and hopefully it’s better than Quantum of Solace. Don’t get me started on that. Aaarghh.
I did see Twilight. Loved it. Have the book but haven’t read it. See it. Enjoy.
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Midori,
That Maplewood precinct now has a little matter of explaining why there are 31 more votes than there were voters.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Paul,
Last weekend we went to see Quantum, and at the last minute, opted for Twilight.
I loved it as well :)
Those aerial shot were just awesome!!!
By @@
December 2, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
So rather than show up on corporate jets the Big Three traveled to Washington in fuel-efficient hybrids. Can these guys be any more obvious as to how stupid they think, and I know, members of congress are?
Ford looks good. The other two…….not so. Still begging.
And the UAW will CONSIDER (cough) dissolving their job banks.
I know of six guys who showed up at the Hapeville plant everyday for almost 3 years to play poker in the JOBS BANK? All of ‘em were making six figures.
Years upon years of money wasted.
Can ‘em.
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Midori & Paul:
What! No Thanksgiving leftovers? I’m still enjoying them.
Every holiday season, I buy turkeys when they’re cheap, and freeze them. Then, along about June or July — Thanksgiving dinner! Dressing and all.
There’s no reason to confine such a meal to winter.
Do you like Frascati?
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Things looking up for Franken right now and Bookman doesn’t understand the rules—the Senate will make the final decision
From Nate Silver 4:44PM@ www.fivethirtyeight.com
Franken’s Good Day Shifts Odds on Recount Since our post earlier this afternoon suggesting that Norm Coleman was the slight favorite to win the recount, Al Franken has gotten three pieces of good news which cloud the picture and may tilt the probabilities in his favor.
The first is that, according to TPM’s Eric Kleefeld, the Franken campaign estimated that it was just 50 ballots behind as of this morning, assuming that all challenges will be rejected. This standard is different from the one the Secretary of State uses, as the Secretary of State treats all challenged ballots as nonvotes until they are addressed by the Canvassing Board, effectively allowing either campaign to deduct votes from the opponent’s total by challenging legal ballots. However, since the vast majority of such challenges will be rejected, the Franken campaign’s standard is probably more reasonable.
I have also had conversations with senior Franken officials and been quoted similar numbers, and believe there is strong reason to regard the Franken campaign’s claims as credible — they are tracking every challenged ballot in every precinct, and have far more information about the nature of ballot challenges than is publicly available. (The Coleman campaign likely has such information too, but have been less forthcoming about it). In addition, being about 50 ballots behind at this stage would also be more consistent with the consensus of our statistical models, which suggested that while Franken probably remained behind, the race was much closer than it appeared to be from the Secretary of State’s count.
The second piece of cheery news for Franken is that officials in Ramsey County have “discovered” a stack of 171 ballots that were never counted in the first place; those ballots returned a net of 37 votes for Franken. This is a very big deal; a net gain of 37 votes makes a huge amount of difference in a race that could easily be decided by a small, double-digit margin. If the 37-vote gain in added to the 50-vote margin that the Franken campaign estimated that it trailed by at the start of the day, that would put them just 13 votes behind with 8-9 percent of the state’s votes still left to be counted. That is to say, according to the Franken campaign’s methodology, the race will likely be effectively tied as we head toward the challenge stage of the recount process.
The final piece of news is that the Canvassing Board has instructed county officials to sort through rejected absentee ballots, and identify those ballots which did not appear to have a valid reason for rejection. This is potentially (although far from certainly) a precursor to those ballots actually being counted, a process which we estimated would result in a net gain of 25 to 100 votes for Franken (the Franken campaign believes a similar number of ballots are at stake).
All in all, it is suddenly much more difficult to make the case that Coleman is the favorite in the recount. If the absentee ballots wind up being counted, the opposite may in fact be true.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
RW —
I repeat:
Ramsey County elections manager Joe Mansky just confirmed to us by phone that Franken picked up a net 37 votes over Norm Coleman from these ballots. The ballots were just discovered this morning, after an apparent machine breakdown on Election Night prevented them from being counted the first time around — but the hand count had no similar problems picking them out.
By GodHatesTrash
December 2, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
If re-elected, Coleman will go the way of Ted Stevens.
He’s a thief and a conman.
He is, after all, a friend of Chickenhawk Chambliss.
By Paul
December 2, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Greg Mendel
Ever heard of locusts descending? Extended family and everyone takes home for the next day. Luckily I made 24 cups of stuffing. There were some leftovers. I really like stuffing.
And I just bought another turkey. I make my own leftovers! I like your idea for June or July. Reminds me of a conversation with family last Thanksgiving and Christmas - why do we wait a whole year to eat the foods we like? Nuts!
Been a while with the Frascati, but that is, if memory is correct, one of the more pleasant, easy drinking Italians. Time to scare up another bottle.
By Paul
December 2, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
Greg
Do you have a brand you like better than others?
Midori
I hope you’re sitting down… a main reason I loved Twilight… I loved the feeling of the movie.
You can pick yourself up, now.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
Greg,
my tastes in wine is limited to Merlot and Chardonnay. :)
and your turkey stockpile sounds great. good thinking :)
I didn’t cook turkey this year (I live alone).
I had mussels and leeks; giant shrimp, scallops and calamari simmered in a coconut milk/curry sauce.
Paul: I’ve conquered the coconut milk problem :)
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
This business with uncounted ballots, lost ballots, etc. — why is voting so difficult in this country? Before the 2000 election, I figured my vote had been counted, win or lose. Since then, I have wondered. Call me old-fashioned, but I mistrust electronic voting, automatically.
(And call me old-fashioned, but I think my health insurance should cover leech therapy, too!)
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Midori,
You can repeat and bold your repetitions all you’d like, but they still have 31 more votes than voters.
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
**In Re Franken: Here’s how it goes down:
Recount>Litigation Inevitable (Lawyuhs gets da money as usual)>US Senate Breaks the tie—Don’t count their votes the way Wooten the Woo Woo the male Palin would)**
Update Jaw Jaw from Nate Silver who makes Matt Towery look like Sarah Palin
Georgia Senate Runoff 6:45 PM EST Update Quick update.
We’re hearing that there are lines in Athens (home of the University of Georgia) in Democratic counties. We also hear DeKalb has been doing particularly well. The staff here is dialing voters in the last-minute push.
For the Obama organizers around the country who could not make it here to Georgia, there is a special tool that field staff created to help make dials into Georgia.
Over 25,000 calls have been made via this tool, and we can say that Ohio’s staff has been called out for “weak sauce.” After ten calls, one reaches “Data Intern” status. 25 calls, and you reach “Yard Sign” level. The 20-ish labels escalate on perceived value and/or badassery. Right now, “Rahm Emanuel” is the top level. (Some people have resumes out.)
We’ll start liveblogging in a few minutes.
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
What kind of moron for a judge would say to the Defense that they are “beatin’ up on the prosecution and that the jury has found the defendant the bad guy before the verdict is rendered?
You have one JawJaw. Jumpin’ Jim Bodiford who graduated from a non-acredited law school and thankfully is not allowed to practice law in any other state in the nation but Jaw Jaw Hicksville.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
Paul,
I always knew you were a “feely” kind a guy :)
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Midori & Paul:
Glutton! I love mussels, Midori. With a cream sauce usually. The kind with heavy cream and a little curry powder. But plain old Mussels Mariniere is just fine.
Any Frascati, Paul, although I’m sure some are better than others. Frascati is the “wine of Rome.” Nothing special, but the traditional choice for sipping in cafes. Every time I have it, my first thought after the first sip is “This really isn’t very good.” It’s nothing like chardonnay, maybe a little like pinot grigio. It just is what it is, and after a couple of sips (not glasses), its being the “wine of Rome” makes sense.
The “Thanksgiving in July” dinner is a good surprise company dinner. Fact is, turkey is pretty cheap anytime. Tonight, I’m cooking up turkey drumsticks like (I hope) the ones they sell at the Renaissance Festivals. They’ve been brining for a day. We’ll see.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
RW,
Still have a problem with comprehension, don’t you?
Leaving you was the best decision I ever made.
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Update Nate Silver from Atlanta who will probably be on KO
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 Georgia Senate Runoff Liveblog 7:54 EST [Nate]: Gwinnett County: Chambliss won by 10.8 points on November 4, winning by 28.9 points so far tonight. Don’t see how in the world this is happening for Martin.
7:50 EST [Sean]: For those following on the Georgia Secretary of State’s site, those numbers can appear to be fully in (i.e., 7 out of 7 precincts reporting), and may still change. So keep an eye on that.
7:45 EST [Sean]: Per reports in the field, long lines in Savannah were only just finishing up.
7:44 EST [Nate]: You’re in a better position than I am to know, Sean, but this looks like a good night for Chambliss so far. Take Whitfield County, for instance, which has 12 of its 25 precincts counted so far. Chambliss won that county by 31.3% on November 4, but he’s winning it by 40.6% so far tonight. Those results appear to be fairly typical. If you’re really scraping for good news for Martin, turnout is pretty light in Whitfield at least, extrapolating out less than 40% of November 4’s numbers.
7:39 EST [Sean]: As of three weeks ago, 174 unpaid veteran Obama organizers were in the state, and more flooded the state in the final days. Estimates put the number of experienced Obama organizers at over 300.
7:33 EST [Sean]: The polls have closed in Georgia, including in two Fulton County that stayed open half an hour later. In the very earliest returns Saxby Chambliss has opened with a large percentage lead. That might hold, but until we get Fulton and DeKalb results we’re not going to know for sure.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 2, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Man, this is the best news I got all day-
Braves trade for Javier Vazquez from White Sox » Urinal
You can have him.
By @@
December 2, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, this was too good to pass up.
my tastes in wine is limited to Merlot and Chardonnay. :)
and your turkey stockpile sounds great. good thinking :)
Paul: I’ve conquered the coconut milk problem :)
BTW fellas (I live alone)
RW,
Still have a problem with comprehension, don’t you?
Leaving you was the best decision I ever made.
No smiley thingy for you RW.
You get a :(
(snicker)
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
@@,
When did get over your fear of emoticons? (IS&WH)
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
“Leaving you was the best decision I ever made.” — Midori to RW
Was it like the “paper or plastic” dilemma?
By Ray
December 2, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Looks like Ludicras didn’t go over too well with a lot of people. There are still a few decent people left. Next time maybe Martin will trot out some more of his gangster voter base for all of us to see. Then maybe we can see what he is really made of.
By Taxpayer
December 2, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Paper or Plastic! I try to pay with plastic myself because I just hate carrying around a wad of cash.
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Greg,
It was more like a rocks vs. air dilemma. I couldn’t figure out which one her head was filled with.
Andy,
So far you’re getting your way. No votes in from Fulton or Dekalb, but Cobb is holding back too.
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
@Ray—
We understand your ignorant dog whistle bigotry.
Obama should have come in several times for Martin, but he also should have gotten rid of the pile of crap Hillary Clinton. However what Rove, Gonzales, Addington, and Alice Martin and a cast of countless scumbags have done with the DOJ makes the idiot TI who claims he’s non-violent with a collection of illegal machine guns look like a choir boy.
And we’ll have 59 votes in the Senate at least. Chambliss ain’t goin’ no where with nothin’. He’ll stay a JawJaw moron hick. LOL onto Jindal Palin or is it Palin Jindal the cromagnon retard’s dream ticket.
By Bud Wiser
December 2, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
What the hell is this, the Food Network?
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
To Taxpayer
I hear you but I believe you are missing the point. Religious or secular, all murderous hatred of that kind is satanic in orgin as he is the father of sin and evil.
In the case of the Jews, it’s not just Islamic Terrorists today but others throughout history who were not part of an organized religion (i.e., the Nazis).
If it is organized religion (Islamic terrorists) it is absurd to not identify that. The Christian Identity Movement/domestic terrorists in the U.S. has that type of hatred but by volume (at this time) they do not come close to comparing with the Islamic terrorists.
It is what it is and to fail to name and deal with the culprit is to welcome defeat …………. cancer must be dealt with - period.
By getalife
December 2, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Looks like suxby will continue to play golf in Washington.
Geez Ga.
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Dekalb has started coming in and it looks like Gwinnett is roughly canceling out Dekalb. Fulton and Cobb are still staring each other down.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
well,
I see Stalkarena is so pathetically lonely and desperate, she has to hijack conversations.
so very sad.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 2, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
I guess it’s going to be easier to find out how many registered voters there are in Fulton and just make sure that we come up with enough wingnut votes to surpass that number, being that they are waiting us out and all.
And assuming that the registered voters number will limit how many fake ballots they count.
Although it does appear that Cobb has caught on and will not be giving it up until we know how many we need to show.
They could be “finding” votes well into next week, for all we know.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Filibuster the elephant lives!
By Midori
December 2, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
I have to give it to you, RW — you have some pretty good comebacks.
Taste? No
Comebacks? Yes.
You make leaving fun.
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
“What the hell is this, the Food Network?” — Bud
LMAO!!!
We’re angling for Dusty’s Freedom Fries recipe.
By Midori
December 2, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
ROFL, Greg!!!
Freedom Fries!!!
Bomb a couple of spuds, fry them up inside the Liberty Bell, add a dash of hypocrisy and wash down with a whole bunch of kool aide.
By RW-(the original)
December 2, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
It looks like Cobb blinked and tipped it’s hand to Fulton, so now the Fulton vote count is trickling in.
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
It will take a few years and maybe it will never happen. Send your kids out of state beginning in grade school to get a decent education or they will grow up moron JawJaws standin’ behind Saaaaayruh the moron waving “Don’t take our guns (and religiosity guised as religion) signs.
Blacks and Latinos will multiply and in a few years there won’t be a white biggot cracker JawJaw “reliable vote.”
From Nate:
8:33 EST [Nate]. Most of Cobb County in … Chambliss won by 10.9 points on Election Day, winning by 27.6 points tonight. And turnout is fairly high there. Now, it may be the case that even within a given county, the more rural, redder areas tend to report first … but … frankly, I’m not sure why this hasn’t gotten called yet.
8:29 EST [Nate]: But even in DeKalb, Martin’s margins are materially off what they were on Election Day. On the other hand, turnout looks to be at a pretty good clip there.
8:23 EST [Sean]: DeKalb is coming in. About 14% of the precincts are in, and Martin gained 20,000 votes back.
8:20 EST [Sean]: The numbers look ominous from what’s in. On the other hand, DeKalb and Fulton aren’t in, and we’re hearing that there are good numbers there. If the gap gets to be 200,000 before those counties report, however, that’s probably all she wrote for Martin.
8:19 EST [Nate]: Sean should have more detail in a moment, but the reason this hasn’t gotten called yet is because there’s basically nothing in from the Democrat-heavy counties in Atlanta or the black belt. Martin, however, is going to need to do a lot better in those counties than he is elsewhere in the state, overperforming his November 4 margins and/or getting proportionately greater turnout than Martin is getting in red counties. But we’re in hail mary territory at this point, at least from where I sit.
8:01 EST [Nate]: I haven’t found a single county with a significant percentage of the vote in where Chambliss isn’t performing better than he did on November 4. This looks like a 14 point win for him or something.
By fed up in gwinnett
December 2, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Where’s the lovely ms g been?
By @@
December 2, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
It’s not a fear RW. No matter who “puts it out there”, they just look silly.
Midori:
Just havin’ a little fun. No need to get all “touchy”.
F-E-E-L-Y!!!!
By Taxpayer
December 2, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Corporal,
I know what you are talking about but that still does not change the fact that you can best deal with murderers and thugs without bringing religion into it. Like I said, religion is just another tool to some people and we should not let religions be used to promote, explain, excuse or otherwise justify killing. It’s wrong. I have no problem with individuals using religion to guide their own life but I have a real problem with people using religion to judge other people’s lives. I’d be willing to bet that Jesus, for one, would agree. The bottom line is that we do not have to hunt down killers, etc., in the name of God. Let’s do it in the name of promoting a civilized world to live in.
By GodHatesTrash
December 2, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
I’m betting on cracker imbecility to rule the day in Georgia today.
Chickenhawk Chambliss is perfect for Georgia’s dimwitted electorate.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
To Taxpayer
Well, Jesus told the religious rulers of His day who wanted to kill Him:
“You are of your father the devil”.
What say ye about that?
You must call evil what it is. If it is part of a particular religion run amok then so be it.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
On another note
Has is really come to this? SAD
Headline: “No Colorblind Pick for Obama Seat? Congressman organizes petition arguing that Illinois governor’s choice to replace Obama in Senate must be black.”
By Chad Harris
December 2, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
The cracker imbecillity did rule the day and pretty decisively comingled with the stupidity of the average Georgian who had no idea a) there was a runoff b) what the f*ck the Senate or any other governing structure is c) was too apathetic to vote and didn’t respond to the call of Ludacris and the insipidly moronic TI.
The good news is that all those Palin worshippers and idiots like Wooten who think she is “da one” insure the Dems will win in 2012.
Come 2010 there will still be 75,000 troops in Iraq. There will be another 1000 dead and 5000 maimed beyond repair from bombs, and the Depression will have dwarfed 1929.
Enjoy the hideous choices of Gates and Clinton.
By Taxpayer
December 2, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Corporal,
We have to avoid the trap of bringing religion into government. Surely, you appreciate the fact that we have to maintain separation of Church and State and must be especially careful to do so when we venture out into the world after terrorists. If we go after terrorists in the name of God, then we feed the hatred. After all, there is no advantage for any of us to promote a killer as an Islamic radical, etc. I can only think of nefarious reasons to link killers to religion in a civilized society so why not take that tool away from those that would abuse it.
By @@
December 2, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
2 Arrested in the death of Georgia youth minister.
The body of the Rev. Edward Frank Harris Jr. of Clermont was found shortly before 4 a.m. Monday in the yard of a home in Cleveland. The 44-year-old Harris called his family Sunday afternoon after church to say that he was giving two stranded people a ride to Cleveland before he returned home.
How does that saying go? “No good deed goes unpunished?”
Sad! Prayers go up for the friends and family of Rev. Harris.
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
The AJC has reported that James Paschal died at 88. He was the owner Paschal’s La Caroussel restaurant in Atlanta. La Carrousel was the “headquarters” of the civil rights movement, to which I was not invited for intimate meetings. However, it was also the southern home to Lena Horne, Cannonball Adderly, Dizzy Gillespie and others. My girlfriend and I went there to hear the Ramsey Lewis Trio, ushered to a table by the legendary “Miz Sherman.”
By GaLiberal
December 2, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Our election process has become so inefficient and messy, it’s hard to tell who is the “real” winner. It’s very easy for state election officials to skew the voting by specious rules that disqualify votes from a certain demographic or messing with the recounts. Take Ohio in 2004 for example. The Sec. of State (a Republican) directed that voter registrations be on a specific type of paper. Yet, the Sec. of State issued registration forms that didn’t meet that standard. Consequently, 1000’s of registrations were invalidated. Guess what, these were mainly registrations were from minor and poor areas of Ohio that tend to vote Democratic. Same in Florida in 2000 when over 10,000 people were improperly removed from the voter rolls because their names were “similar” to those of convicted felons. It was the Sec of State (again, a Republican) that directed more names be removed. This was the difference of having the disaster of Bush for eight years.
We need a national voter registration system and election process. There are too many state officials (both parties mind you) all too willing to mess with an election for political gains. Also, person that is overseeing state elections should be nonpartisan; not some partisan elected position like Sec. of State. Maybe a judge or a career government employee. However we solve this problem, we should put in safeguards to prevent future problems. Like requiring all electronic voting systems produce a direct paper printout that is kept separate and used to verify the accuracy of the machine votes. The technology exists, but certain states (again Republican) claim it isn’t necessary. Given how easy it is to rig an election, that position is out right fraud.
When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And Georgia’s voting system is living proof.
By GodHatesTrash
December 2, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Midori -
Go scrape off the botom of your shoes, paint it red, white and blue, and these RightWingnuts will eat it up!
By CommunistAJC
December 2, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Bookman, Let me clear my throat, hold up. Ok, here goes: HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA.
SAXBY WON. AGAIN, HA HA HA. SUCK ON THAT DEMOCRATS.
By Truly Inspirational
December 2, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Saxby won. Again. Suck on that, Republicans. HA Ha Ha. Ha Ha Ha. You don’t get it, do you. You Republicans voted for Saxby… again. This is just too funny. All the other Georgia Republican politicians have turned their backs on this party traitor but the Georgia voters still elect him. This is just too good. Ha Ha Ha.
By sean
December 2, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Interesting that in your endorsement of Martin and today’s editorial endorsement of Martin (wow that’s a big big surprise!) you both mentioned his expierience as head of Ga DFCS yet both articles failed to even hint that he was FIRED from the job because of his terrible leadership! Who the heck can get fired from a state job?Wow that’ a surprise also !!Yeah yeah he resigned and if you believe that was voluntary I have some oceanfront property for you in Nevada>
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
“SAXBY WON. AGAIN, HA HA HA. SUCK ON THAT DEMOCRATS.” — CommunistAJC
Goodbye Lockheed. Goodbye Warner Robbins. Goodbye every other government welfare teat-sucking deadbeat in the state.
Hahahaha! Saxby won. Suck on that.
By Jethro
December 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
You people are pathetic. For those on the left, Saxby won, and those on the right, Obama is our next President, so get the hell over it. Move on with your pathetic lives, that is, if you have one to move forward with. The world would be a whole lot better without you malcontents in it.
By Elephant
December 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
This election sounds like a master criminal plan to defeat the will of the voter. I wonder if the loss of donkey Martin tonight to elephant Chambless will make any difference? It’s over as so many Obama supporters said in recent days but now over because there is no way the Senate can become veto proof this time around. Obama needs to make everyone a great president else in two years he will find his donkey congress replaced with more elephants.
By Hey Soose
December 2, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Chad Harris, why don’t you do us ALL a favor and leave the state. Close minded idiots like you give the state a bad name.
By Greg Mendel
December 2, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
“Move on with your pathetic lives, that is, if you have one to move forward with.” — jethro
You first.
By Neal Summers
December 2, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Saxby’s win today shows that evil can still win out. Franken should fight to the bitter end.
By "The Corporal"
December 2, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
To Taxpayer
1) I respectfully disagree. It’s not in the name of God. It’s the name of the United States (and the free, civilized world) vs. an evil counterfeit aspect of a religion. It must be called what it is.
2) You brought up how Jesus would feel but then you ignore the quote (9:01) I gave you of what he said on that very subject. I would like your reply.
By patrick
December 2, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Picked another loser didn’t ya Jay!
By David C
December 2, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
We kicked some Liberal A* today. Red state always B*
By JR
December 3, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
I think Franken is perfect. A joke for a senator goes well with a joke for a president!
By Pinevegas
December 3, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
I find this column amusing. I’ve read reports that say the 300 count difference is according to reports. The Franken group claims it more like a 10 to 20 vote difference. If by chance Franken wins by a slim margin, are you prepared to call out Coleman and ask him to concede, without any Senate or judicial involvement?
By Michael K
December 3, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
I guess there is hope for you after all Jay. Franken is really Frankenstein…
By AllHogwash
December 3, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Hasn’t anyone heard that Saxby Chambliss defeated Jim Martin and will retain his seat in the Senate? This fact renders the result of the Franken/Coleman outcome null and void. It matters not which of the gofers takes the MN Senate Seat, the Republicans will retain at least the minimum number of seats needed to filibuster the Democratic majority.
It is a role that the Republicans know only too well how to play, since prior to the 1990s Republicans were in the minority in both Congressional chambers.
The framers of our constitution clearly believed that three distinct and autonomous branches of government are necessary to provide for checks and balances on too much power being vested in any single branch of government. The retention of filibuster rights simply means that the Democrats will not have a lock on two of the three branches…just as the Founding Fathers intended.
Demobrats need to stop whining about “stolen elections” and learn to accept reality.
By making
December 3, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Looks like the laugh was on both Franken and Martin…history prevailed once again! Good olde check and balance Congress…
By Tigerfan_in_GA
December 3, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Franken is a dangerously liberal clown and does not belong in politics!!
By Call it Like it is
December 3, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Amen AllHogwash.
We do not need any more Socialist Robin Hood Ideas in Congress.
Hey, I like the idea of all tax paying citizens for two/three months, starting in Jan 09, not have any taxes taken out of their paychecks.
Talk about a stimulus package.
I’m for it!
Enough Said!
By h ryder
December 3, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Just by constantly being in the voting populaces face does not mean that Fracken is or was the top vote receiver in the past election. What it means to me is that he will do any and everything possible to be seated as a U.S. Senator until the voters tell him he is not wanted, to stand down, and get out of our face.
By Montrell
December 3, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
The white republican power brokers up in Minnesota are trying to keep Franken from the senate, by not counting all the votes. The democrats need to take this fight to the U.S. Senate, and get some lawsuits going big time—-the democrats need control of the senate to get a lot more benefit programs passed in this country for minority groups that haven’t gotten anything from the racist republicans.
By jb
December 3, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
One of the funniest SNL skits ever was the one were Al made all of his stuff tax deductible by wearing/showing/talking about it on Nat TV. Maybe it’s up on Utube somehwere. Brilliant.
But…in congress-not so much. Stay home Al.
By OIRG
December 3, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
MONTRELL - ALL power brokers in MN are white