Recount: Coleman’s lead shrinks by nearly 20 percent

StarTribune ^ | 11/19/08 | Paul Walsh

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

With the first day complete tonight in a state-mandated recount in the contest for U.S. Senate between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken, Coleman’s lead shrank by nearly 20 percent.

Based on a Star Tribune analysis of partial recount numbers released this evening by the Secretary of State’s Office, Coleman lost a net of 41 votes and now holds a 174-vote advantage. He started the day up by 215.

These new numbers come after the state has recounted 18 percent of the ballots. They come from 27 percent of the state’s precincts. At this point, Coleman has lost 86 votes, while Franken has lost 45.

Observers for the two candidates together are challenging 269 ballots so far. Coleman is contesting 146, Franken 123. The challenged ballots will go before a State Canvassing Board for a final determination.

[CharlesWayneCT]

It’s a somewhat misleading story. Note the two candidates have challenged 269 ballots. You can presume each candidate challenged a lot of “counted” ballots for the other candidate.

So that would cause the “current count” for each candidate to drop. But there was an example here earlier today of a typical “challenged” ballot, and it was clear in the end the challenge was absurd.

It seems Franken is challenging more ballots, and if today’s example is any indication, those challenges will fall, so Coleman will get his votes back.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“The only explanation is voter fraud.”

Careful....you’ll be accused of being a crybaby.

Join the club, here.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I’m outraged!!

But, the criminal element runs the show.

[Chairman of the Bard]

The gloves are off. There’s no pretense any more, because they are convinced that Republicans are too timid to fight back. Thus, the middle finger, a smirk, and “Yeah, so what? You gonna do something about it?”

[Sharrukin]

Republicans are too timid to fight any more. Like McCain they want to be honourable and politely above the fray while the leftist are attempting an eye gouge.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“Thus, the middle finger, a smirk, and “Yeah, so what? You gonna do something about it?””

I get a lot of that....

The Doc sez I could drop the BP meds if I could just ignore politics and liberals.

I told him to double my meds and stfu.

;-)

[Kent C]

If things keep going as they are now the headline will be:
“Franken wins by a landslide!”.

[redhead]

And, people actually believe that we can win in 2012?? Not without turning out every last Republican, Libertarian, Conservation Party, and Independent voter in the country. The ACORNuts are already gearing up to steal that election, too.

[Zack Attack]

Let’s see. 41 votes with 18% recounted. At this rate Coleman would lose 227 votes. With a 215 vote lead going in, he’d lose by 12. What a crock.

[Jonah Johansen]

What goes un-reported, un-mentioned in the media is the obvious fact that if there were a way of screening out the felon, and non-citizen illegal votes and including all military ballots Coleman would be ahead by 10k+ votes.

[Chairman of the Bard]

Yes, the same honourable and polite John McCain who chose to keep the racist, Jew-hating, Obama spiritual mentor Reverend Wright issue completely off the table.

The irony of MN is that I attended a luncheon for the Republican Lawyers Club here in DC, and Coleman was the speaker. The subject was Democrat voter fraud. He disclosed that Republicans discovered rampant voter fraud that likely cost John Ashcroft his election in MO against Carnahan’s widow. Ashcroft, the honourable, polite gentleman refused to put up a fight.

[avant_garde]

Thats the fighting spirit. :)

[freespirited]

Where do these votes come from that always seem to favor the Democrats in these situations?

The RATS have a patented formula. Trade secret.

[DakotaRed]

No surprise. Dems steal another one through shady recounts.

I’m sure King County, Washington has sent bodies to help.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I’ll always take one for the team......

[redhead]

"turning out every last Republican, Libertarian, Conservation Party, and Independent voter in the country"

Urk. That's CONSTITUTION Party...

[drjimmy]

It’s a somewhat misleading story. Note the two candidates have challenged 269 ballots. You can presume each candidate challenged a lot of “counted” ballots for the other candidate. So that would cause the “current count” for each candidate to drop. But there was an example here earlier today of a typical “challenged” ballot, and it was clear in the end the challenge was absurd. It seems Franken is challenging more ballots, and if today’s example is any indication, those challenges will fall, so Coleman will get his votes back.

I'm pretty sure you are incorrect. The votes gained by Franken today are from votes that were not challenged by either side, so those are now in the books. And of the 269 challenged ballots, it is Coleman who is challenging more.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Two things that I notice in these recounts:
1. The democrat always gets a few more votes ever time they count electronic counted cards.

2. As soon as the democrat gets one vote more then the republican the recount is finished.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Two things that I notice in these recounts:
1. The democrat always gets a few more votes ever time they count electronic counted cards.

2. As soon as the democrat gets one vote more then the republican the recount is finished.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Two things that I notice in these recounts:
1. The democrat always gets a few more votes ever time they count electronic counted cards.

2. As soon as the democrat gets one vote more then the republican the recount is finished.