Senator Franken, at Last?

Staff / Truthdig Jan 5, 2009 After recounting 2.4 million ballots cast in the state's U.S. Senate election, Minnesota officials are ready to name Al Franken the winner by a mere 225 votes. Franken's rival, Sen. Norm Coleman, will likely fight the decision in the state Supreme Court. His campaign manager, meanwhile, is calling for a do-over. Updates after the jump. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Minnesota Recount Stuck in the Mud

Staff / Truthdig Dec 30, 2008 Minnesotans have been parodied for their politeness, but the state's Senate race seems to get nastier and nastier. With Al Franken taking a sliver of a lead by most estimates, the bitter recount battle halted Monday as both sides made a scene in Secretary of State Mark Ritchie's office. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

There’s Hope for Franken Yet

Staff / Truthdig Dec 19, 2008 BradBlog has the latest from the endless recount battle in Minnesota, where Al Franken currently is trailing by only two votes. Results are day-to-day, but the Star-Tribune is predicting Franken will win out by fewer than 100 votes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Minnesota Race Continues to Perplex

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2008 In case you haven't been following Al Franken's fortunes in Minnesota's ongoing recount, here's a brief recap: He was down, but not by much, then down by less and, a little later, even less, then he claimed to be up, but now it looks like he's down again, but not by much. Confused? You're not alone. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken to Take Senate Fight to … the Senate

Staff / Truthdig Dec 2, 2008 Still locked in a bitter recount battle for the right to represent Minnesota in the upper house, Al Franken's lawyer says he might take the matter directly to the U.S. Senate, which the Constitution allows to be the "Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fun With Ballots

Staff / Truthdig Nov 21, 2008 Minnesota's ballot showdown is underway as Al Franken and Norm Coleman's contest for the U.S. Senate comes down to a recount and voter intent. Minnesota Public Radio has decided not to let the campaigns have all the fun of chucking (or un-chucking) ballots. Now you can, too! Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Conservative Identity Crisis

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Nov 18, 2008 There is a second transition under way over which President-elect Barack Obama has no control -- the transition of conservatives to minority status. How they do this will have a powerful impact on the new presidency. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Minnesota Is the New Florida

Staff / Truthdig Nov 14, 2008 While Minnesota gets ready for a recount, it looks like one way or another the state's U.S. Senate race will be decided in court. With bad memories of Florida, Al Franken and Norm Coleman's campaigns are already arguing about whose vote should count and why. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Who’s Afraid of a Filibuster?

Joe Conason / Truthdig Nov 13, 2008 Is there enough muscle behind the GOP filibuster threat to block Obama's mandate? The short answer is no -- and the new president's own political arsenal should enable him to call the Republican bluff. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Franken Closes In on Coleman

Staff / Truthdig Nov 8, 2008 Having suggested that fellow Minnesotan Al Franken should concede defeat earlier in the week, Norm Coleman was keeping mum by Friday afternoon, when it was discovered that Franken was trailing his Republican rival for the U.S. Senate by only 238 votes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Paper Calls Oregon Race for the Democrat

Staff / Truthdig Nov 6, 2008 The Democrats fell short in their quest for 60 U.S. Senate seats, but the race isn't quite over. After a fierce battle in the politically fascinating state of Oregon, Democratic usurper Jeff Merkley has been projected by The Oregonian to defeat Sen. Gordon Smith. That leaves Minnesota and Georgia. Update Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken Could Still Have the Last Laugh

Staff / Truthdig Nov 6, 2008 A razor-thin margin in the contest for a Minnesota Senate seat between comedian Al Franken, the Democrat, and Republican incumbent Norm Coleman will trigger an automatic recount that is likely to stretch into December. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )