Coleman/Franken: What A Race!

Looks like Coleman MAY have survived the rush - by a whisker.

Update: uh oh 2644 1978 1658 1015 1037 1118 votes apart. The main Duluth counties are donw. No telling who is holding back a precinct or two in case they need some votes. It is politics, after all.

Senator Norm Coleman is holding on to the thinnest of margins with 99.13% of precincts reporting in a race that's currently too close to call and certain to see a recount.

The results are updating regularly - see here. (scroll down)

At present there are about 14 precincts in Duluth still to report and Franken makes up ground as everyone comes in. That's probably changed, if not complete, by the time you read this post.

They're currently separated by about 7,000 6,400 6198 5,785 votes (yeah, for now, it's finishing that quick and close) with over 2.4 million already cast and counted. The threshold for re-count is a .5% difference and the race is almost certain to fall within that.

Offsetting Franken's strength are nine outlying counties with a few precincts here and there still to report. Coleman is carrying those smaller counties, not so for Duluth.

It looks like Coleman might pick up just enough to hold him off at the end. I suspect only Michael Barone would know and he might not even hazard a call.

Thirty-one precints and counting - now down from 14 to 10 in Duluth with Coleman's lead now down to 5,785 5599 4378.

And you thought your vote didn't count!

Comments

[syn]

I'm looking forward to helping President Obama spread the wealth of AL Frankin, as well as, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Steven Speilberg, George Lucas, Barbara Streisand, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Al GOre, Michael Moore along with all the other fabulously wealth celebrites who insisted Obama be elected to share their wealth.

Oprah Winfrey's billions are now our billions.

Mostly, I am looking forward to having all the goodies President Obama promised.

[seekeronos]

Now come on, Syn...

we both know that the Dems will protect their own best fundraisers and propagandists in Hoolywierd. They won't be forced to part with any sort of money whatsoever.

Dems believe in true socialism - taking from the "rich", as they choose to define it at the time and place of their choosing.

[Fred Beloit]

Right, syn, and may I make bold to offer some suggestions to Pres Obie for appointments to his new administration? No? So what, I will make them anyway. It's a free country isn't it, for now at least:
--Oprah for Secretary of State
--Cruise for Sec of the Air Force
--Speilberg and Lucas as Joint Chairs of the High Commission on Truth Telling and Life-long Terms in Office
--Streisand for Supreme Court
--Hanks for Sec of the Army
--Madonna for Sec of Agriculture and Fertilizer
--Gore for Sec of Defense
--Moore for Sec of Commerce
So much talent, so few high offices.

[joeb]

Well the good news is still that Hillary Clinton is not going to be President. We have Obama to thank for that. So I give him credit for that. Thanks.
Now that the USA has elected a black man to be President it is OK to make jokes about him,right?
I hear Obama is going to dance up Pennslyvania Avenue on inauguration day.
White guilt can now relax. It feels so good to get that monkey off my back.
It will be interesting to hear some jokes from Letterman and Leno and John Stewart about the Messiah.

[Rambo]

Man... I am so bummed.

I woke up this morning and realized that
I don't have Bush to blame anymore.

I was convinced that BUSH was the root of all of the world's problems. Now I realize, I will have no one else to blame, and I will need to take responsibility for my life.

You see, it would be politically incorrect to blame the world's problems on a black president -

So WHO can I blame now?!

[Fred Beloit]

How about a nice cold shower this morning?

"So now we are promised a change in America’s fundamental values. And they really will be changed. Obama has said in [clear?] terms that he thinks the US constitution is flawed. America’s belief in itself as defending individual liberty, truth and justice on behalf of the free world will now be expiated instead as its original sin. Those who have for the past eight years worked to bring down the America that defends and protects life and liberty are today ecstatic. They have stormed the very citadel on Pennsylvania Avenue itself.

Millions of Americans remain lion-hearted, decent, rational and sturdy. They find themselves today abandoned, horrified, deeply apprehensive for the future of their country and the free world. No longer the land of the free and the home of the brave; they must now look elsewhere."
http://www.plnewsforum.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/43265/

[Fred Beloit]

On the other hand, the warm sun is beginning to rise:

"While the left takes their well-deserved victory lap (enjoy it while it lasts!), let me get out in front of what will undoubtedly be a common theme from the left/media in the coming weeks and months: This was not a defeat for conservatism. This was a defeat for a Republican party that has lost its way.

Think about it. Can we accuse the Republican party of the last 2 - 4 years of doing too much to limit government? Too much to cut taxes? Too much to stop the backscratching and cronyism going on in Washington DC? Of course not. Which is exactly why conservatism - limited government, individualism and ethical leadership - cannot be blamed for tonight’s electoral losses for Republicans."
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/the_silver_lining_in_the_ones_ascendence_this_wasnt_a_loss_for_conservatism/

[Mark]

Two things to make you feel better

http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races=''

and

http://chizumatic.mee.nu/not_the_end_of_the_world

[chris]

Good morning bitter clingers! It's morning in America and few of you seem like you need another cup of coffee or plate of freedom fries or something. But, no matter - life does go on. Maybe not as you once knew it, but on it goes.

I was wondering what spin the right would put on this whole election. In 06 it was "the libruls didn't win, WE lost". I thought that one was cute but sad. Well today we have "America is still a center-right nation". That one is kind of sad (not to mention false) too but if that's what you guys need to get through the day, I'll just be quiet.

Hey, how 'bout that Bradley Effect!

[Fred Beloit]

Yes it is true. Conservatives did not lose the election for President, McCain is no conservative. And how much of the vote was for the Senate's most liberal member versus the tall and handsome stranger (there's a new kid in town), the magical mystery tour, and the remembrance of the mid-late sixties (Springsteen's "glory days") when the boobers er boomers were young, and the actually young, poor kids, heads full of liberal propaganda and hate for their native land?

Oh well, there are more rounds to go in the fight. We'll hear the bell on 1/20 and come out fighting against the same old liberal crap, not against a man in a white house, if he is at all reasonable. We'll see.

[Anon]

The "Bradley effect" was something that the liberals made up to increase white guilt and explain in their own minds why blacks didn't get elected to state wide office.

The best thing about Obama's election is that it drives a stake through the heart of the race baiters....it will be virtually impossible to claim AmeriKKKa is a racist country and all the rest of the race based drivel when we have a black man as president who was elected by millions of white people and who won in states that haven't gone Republican for 40 years.

If Obama interprets this election as a vote for a liberal, nanny, police state then he's out in 4 years and the Republicans will regain control of the House. America IS a center right country, it just isn't as far right as the Republicans have thought it is. The Republiblican strategy of focusing in irrelevant social issues like gay marriage and abortion was destined to fail sooner or later. The party needs to go back to its roots: small government, self reliance and traditional values [without an evangelical slant]. DeLay, Frist and Bush squandered the Republicans chances with their greed, corruption and mismanagement over the last 8 years.

What remains to be seen is who is Obama? Is he going to be a center/moderate president or is he the far left socialist liberal that so many believe him to be? Hopefully, he is as thoughtful, intelligent and moderate as his followers think he is.

[templar knight]

Frankly, I'm looking forward to seeing the carnage, myself. I know I've said this before, but if you are white and conservative, get out of the big cities. You will be a target, so make sure only white liberals are left to bear the brunt of the assaults. They put the people in office, so they need to suffer the consequences of their actions.

[Anon]

It all depends on how Obama chooses to govern. Does he tell DOJ he wants to see more racial "hate crimes" prosecuted? Does he push a new race based affirmative action agenda?

It is possible that Obama's election may somehow curb the inner city black rage that drives the high rate of black on white crime vs. white/black crime, or not. Thugs may feel ashamed or empowered by Obama's success. Too early to tell since nobody really knows what Obama's actual agenda is, beyond getting elected.

[chris]

Hahaha! The 'country folk' are afeared of teh coloreds in the BIG cities. Lock and load!!

Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder are HEROES!!!

[Philip McDaniel]

Thug Thizzle's coming...Civilian National Security Force
All Hail our Fearless Leader
Hail! gauk Hail!

[Anon]

The civilian national security force is way too close to the Brown Shirts and/or the Red Guard for my taste. But, we'll see what Obama does. Hopefully, he is nothing close to as crazy as many of his core supporters.

[seekeronos]

"--- It will be interesting to hear some jokes from Letterman and Leno and John Stewart about the Messiah. ---"

Indeed... Letterman's a staunch liberal, but isn't afraid to take potshots at his own side.

Stewart on the other hand... well, he will have to scratch the bottom of the barrel for hyper-partisan humour to match the overflow he had enjoyed the Bush years.

Colbert will likely continue to parlay his pseudo-O'Reilly routine... though the jokes just won't have the same punch when neutered for PC.

[jharp]

I'm going to celebrate with a golf game with my right wing buddies.

I sure hope to see mark l around here soon. I'm interested in his statistical analysis of what went wrong. It seems to me the pollsters got it exactly right. Intrade was right too.

And I remember Fred crowing about shoving my predictions in my face too. I'm also anxious to hear from him.

And on a serious note. Even though this blog has been wrong about everything and I disagree with almost every issue here I would like to offer my thanks for being able to post here. Everyone, including myself, has been guilty of name calling and insults but no hard feelings from me and hope everyone feels the same.

President Barack Hussein Obama. Wow. What a great moment for our country and a great moment for the world.

Peace and good health to all.

[chris]

"Even though this blog has been wrong about everything and I disagree with almost every issue here I would like to offer my thanks for being able to post here. Everyone, including myself, has been guilty of name calling and insults but no hard feelings from me and hope everyone feels the same."

Well said!

Thanks, Dan - you're a total wingnut but, oddly, a decent one. Hahaha!

[Fred Beloit]

Harpo: "And I remember Fred crowing about shoving my predictions in my face too. I'm also anxious to hear from him."
I aspire to never disappoint. You were right, Harpo, about Obama winning. You were wrong about a landslide, well, at least in the popular vote. I am glad it wasn't a conservative Obama beat, but merely a maverick, though a courageous one. Happy?

[Spartan112]

Say what you want Fred but that was a landslide.

[chris]

I think that you cons should look on the bright side. Obama is a VERY smart guy. He wants to go down as one of the great presidents of all time (I know, they all do). My guess is that he's going to move to the center on many issues. That may not be the greatest for you, but it won't be the worst. If it makes you feel better, the Koskidz (they're nutters) will be pissed too!

[jharp]

Hi Fred,

Yeah, I'm happy. And it was a landslide.

A conservative couldn't even win the GOP nomination and would have been beaten even worse.

And the new phrase "America is a center right country" is bullshit too. The center right just was demolished.

Anyways, peace to you Fred. I am going to listen to ElRushbo's excuse making on my way to the golf course. Then rub some salt into the wounds of my right wing buds. It's 75 degrees and sunny in Indianapolis today.

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

Attention, Wingnuts of the North American varient, please leave all of the big cities for your own safety. Barry X Hussein Osama bin Communist has issued Executive Order X, which authorizes all abortionists, coloreds, women, queers, long-hairs, poor people, liberal fascists, college professors, and other enemies of patriotism, to point and laugh at you when you express the wisdom of conservative governance. Moreover, all of your guns must be dropped off at the nearest library. Said libraries will no longer carry the works of any dead white males. In fact, the women's studies section will comprise 3/5 of all public libraries from this date forward.

In addition, stupidity, paranoia, bigotry, incompetence, and rank hypocricy, i.e. the tenets of American conservatism, are now banned. Anyone expressing such, must immediately report to the re-education camps at Gitmo. Don't worry; the terrorists currently housed at Gitmo will all be given your property and will be sufficiently monitored. If you prefer, you may enlist in the armed forces of the United States, control of which will be permanantly granted to the United Nations ("UN"), where you will finally be permitted to fight in the wars you addvocate.

Please stay tuned for further announcements from Chuck D and Keith Olbermann who will be broadcasting on state controlled television, and providing information to you so that you may determine which stores you are permitted to shop at for toilet paper, toothpaste, bread, and water (and other luxuries). Be sure to get at least on bottle of water (while supplies last) because the cattle cars that will transport you to your new homes do not have running water.

Thank you.

[paul]

how is it possible for franken to lose?
because he is a loser.

the sheer joy in watching him lose a florida style election, especially in a blue state sums up his popularity.

[templar knight]

Allahu Akbar, Totally! And my best friend tells me that he has done a year's worth of business in his gun store over the past month. And get this, the liberals in town are buying about as many guns as the conservatives. Hmm....what does this tell you about the election? I guess the liberals don't want to get caught with their pants down, either. Or perhaps they aren't so sure about Obama. Nice.

[North Dallas Thirty]

For once, Totally Heterosexual Conservative told the truth.

And it doesn't surprise me in the least that he supports everything that he's talking about doing.

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

"Allahu Akbar, Totally! And my best friend tells me that he has done a year's worth of business in his gun store over the past month."

Making a mint of off marks like you, stupid enough to believe that President-Elect Obama is going to take away their guns. I admire his opportunism.

"And get this, the liberals in town are buying about as many guns as the conservatives. Hmm....what does this tell you about the election?"

Nothing. Most of you won't lift a finger in support of the "revolution" you fantasize about. A few of you will predictably shoot up some abortion clinics or unitarian churches. That a few of you are unhinged enough to be violent, while most of you are merely cowardly sloths, is not my problem, thankfully.

"I guess the liberals don't want to get caught with their pants down, either. Or perhaps they aren't so sure about Obama. Nice."

Or you're making it up like usual. Which ever.

"For once, Totally Heterosexual Conservative told the truth.

And it doesn't surprise me in the least that he supports everything that he's talking about doing."

That's because you're a self-unaware relic who was just roundly rejected by the American people, and too obtuse to understand why. Again, not my problem. I'm not the one who will be shipped off to the camps, or prosecuted for planting a pipe bomb that kills a few people at the World Series.

Elections have consequences, losers. Imagine how many life-term activist liberal judges President-Elect Obama will appoint. Perhaps a Justice Clinton? Imagine Michelle in the White House. That's gotta sting, huh?

[North Dallas Thirty]

"That's because you're a self-unaware relic who was just roundly rejected by the American people, and too obtuse to understand why."

LOL....oh, I understand why. But I also understand the old axiom about people who win the way Obama did.

There's a reason the expectations are already frantically dropping for the Messiah; now that the election is over, you don't have to pretend any more.

[Todd]

All those doubters about my posts on the validity of Intrade.com as the best of the best of the polls got their comeuppance. Indeed, it was not a pump-and-dump scam, which was such a ridiculous insinuation to begin with. The fact is that this is 2 elections in a row where the bettors at Intrade.com got the election exactly right, for weeks. And, they also got virtually every state correct with the exception of Indiana where McCain was marginally favored and Obama won that narrowly.

Will you now admit you're wrong, North Dallas Thirty?

[Todd]

"Conservatives did not lose the election for President, McCain is no conservative"

That's so totally wrong, Fred. Jeez, this election was a gobsmacking repudiation of conservativism. All you have to look at is the senate and house seats lost by conservatives to know that.

And, you may not view McCain as a conservative but the Democrats and Independents most certainly did. John McCain fully embraced the policies of Bush, voting with him 90% of the time and memorably hugging Bush in that infamous photo. McCain did his best to pander to the Evangelical wingnuts by speaking at Liberty University in 2006, six years after calling Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson "agents of intolerance." This was viewed as an action only a conservative would take. And, how many times did John McCain trot out that line "I was a foot solider in the Reagan Revolution", passing himself off as a card carrying member of the bastion of conservatism. He may not have passed your litmus test as a conservative, but for most of the non-McCain-voting-electorate, he sure did pass.

[Todd]

"Right, syn, and may I make bold to offer some suggestions to Pres Obie for appointments to his new administration? No? So what, I will make them anyway. It's a free country isn't it, for now at least:
--Oprah for Secretary of State
--Cruise for Sec of the Air Force
--Speilberg and Lucas as Joint Chairs of the High Commission on Truth Telling and Life-long Terms in Office
--Streisand for Supreme Court
--Hanks for Sec of the Army
--Madonna for Sec of Agriculture and Fertilizer
--Gore for Sec of Defense
--Moore for Sec of Commerce
So much talent, so few high offices."
------------
Wouldn't be any worse than the endless list of hacks that were in the Bush Administration......Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Alberto Gonzales, Monica Goodling, Michael Brown, Michael Chertoff, Harriet Miers, George Tenet, Richard Perle, John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Christopher Cox, Harvey Pitt, Kyle Sampson......and that's aside from the total hacks Bush and Cheney themselves.

[Todd]

Man... I am so bummed.

"I woke up this morning and realized that
I don't have Bush to blame anymore.

I was convinced that BUSH was the root of all of the world's problems. Now I realize, I will have no one else to blame, and I will need to take responsibility for my life.

You see, it would be politically incorrect to blame the world's problems on a black president -

So WHO can I blame now?!"
-------------
Don't you worry. The hole that George W. Bush has dug for this country is so big that he will be blamed for years to come. His legacy of failure will not fade into the aether anytime soon.

[seekeronos]

"--- That's so totally wrong, Fred. Jeez, this election was a gobsmacking repudiation of conservativism. All you have to look at is the senate and house seats lost by conservatives to know that. ---"

Gee... maybe it was a repudiation of NEO-conservatism - ya know, big-government, hyper-interventionist corporate welfare government?

Meanwhile, us Ron Paul (paleo) conservatives will regroup, and perhaps indulge in a bit of well-deserved rib-poking to our fellow GOP'ers ... maybe next time, Ron Paul, or a man sharing his vision, will not be so wilfully obstructed by the party heirarchy from taking us to a small-government, paleo-conservative, America-first and America-only path to victory in 2012.

One thing about Americans - once they have woken up to the truth, they are quite up to the task of fixing their problems.

And after four years of hopey-change that didn't... those same voters who repudiated Bush will also repudiate The Zero. God willing, people will get sick and tired of an unresponsive unitary/single party government, and will demand REAL change - back to what used to work.

God willing, the GOP will recover, and adopt the many of the planks of the Constitution Party to return us back to the path to moral, financial, and perhaps even spiritual solvency.

[Fred Beloit]

Turd writes: "The hole that George W. Bush has dug for this country is so big that he will be blamed for years to come. His legacy of failure will not fade into the aether anytime soon."

Now all Turd needs to do to establish this claim is explain how Bush did all that digging.