Admittedly, I have not been keeping track of the Minnesota recount sponsored by Norm Colemen all that closely. As I understand it, Coleman is running out of lifelines and looks increasingly desperate to win an election he has already all but lost. Which is why I'm wondering how long Coleman is going to drag on with these challenges against senator-in-waiting Al Franken. We've gotten to the point where this is making Florida look orderly.
Franken, it seems, has been hurt by the MSM's abundance of big stories to cover. If this wasn't extraordinary times, I have a feeling we'd be getting real sick of Coleman's plight right about now and begging him to concede. But this story's relative obscurity has allowed it to drag on well past what should be considered an acceptable expiration date. Norm, it's time to be a big boy and admit defeat. In this country, order is maintained by the loser acknowledging that their opponent won. That's why this exchange during a WaPo chat is jaw-dropping:
Baltimore, Md.: Speaking of junior senators, do you see Al Franken being seated anytime before 2010?
Shailagh Murray: Perhaps, but it seems more and more likely that the Minnesota race will wind up as a re-vote. At this point it seems like the quickest way to resolve the situation.[...]
Al Franken Revote Really?: Star Tribune just published an article on the front page which discusses Coleman’s dwindling chances. The Politico last week published an article discussing Coleman’s need for a miracle. Election experts from Minnesota are discussing the math which makes a Coleman comeback extremely difficult and the higher courts taking this case an unlikely prospect. How did you arrive at this recount theory? I think the only folks advocating this are a FEW Republicans who see this as Coleman’s only realistic hope for overturning the results of November
washingtonpost.com: Rulings have diminished Coleman’s recount chances (StarTribune.com, Feb. 23)
Shailagh Murray: I don’t have a revote “theory.” I’m just wondering how long this is going to sit in the court system. If Coleman looks desperate, why not just hold another election and beat him handily? But there’s a process in place here, and we can only assume both parties will abide by it.
Why not just hold another election? Because, Shailagh, these election thingys have a long history of being winner take all, no matter how close the score - just ask Al Gore. And we have a winner. No matter how much the loser cries. The topper: This is coming from the Washington Post's national political reporter. Jeebus.
