Franken lost by 571 votes. Recount coming

[underpants]

http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSTRE4A48WH20081105

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - He may be good enough and smart enough -- but does he have enough votes?

Long after most races had been decided, the bid of a former "Saturday Night Live" comedian to join the United States Senate remained uncertain Wednesday.

Al Franken's bid to unseat Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota fell short by 571 votes, according to the completed unofficial tally. Coleman secured 42.03 percent of the vote, and Franken 42.01 percent.

Those numbers virtually assured a recount, which according to Minnesota law is triggered if the margin of victory is less than half of 1%, and so the result may not be known for days.

[fishbulb703]

1. Damn. If the Ind. wouldn't have run... nt

[Ozma]

2. Several irregularities noted in the state ...so let's hope! n/t

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Does Minnesota use paper ballots?

Or do they use electronic? There better be a paper trail.

[chelsea0011]

4. It is a shame to have an incumbent floundering at 42% and still with a chance to win.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. I'm hearing there are a lot of provisional ballots that aren't being counted.

A recount is likely to go in Al's favor.

[mvd]

9. Great!

That sounds promising. :thumbsup:

[Renew Deal]

6. Are provisional ballots counted?

That alone takes a few days, and those are mostly Dem.

[Ganja Ninja]

8. Apparently there were a lot of first time or newly registered

voters challenged in the Minneapolis area.

[iamthebandfanman]

7. crazy crazy

never expected such a close race... i thought one of them would surely pull a good lead on the other...

either way, franken did the best he could... so he shouldnt be down on himself regardless.

maybe he should try for a house seat next time around if this doesnt work out...

[totodeinhere]

10. The recount could go either way.

So let's hope for the best. Every vote in the Senate counts, especially given rumors that Lieberman might switch parties.