Reid: Coleman should concede - could seat Franken by April

[jefferson_dem]

Reid: Coleman should concede
By ALEX ISENSTADT | 2/26/09 1:14 PM EST Updated: 2/26/09 5:47 PM EST Text Size:

Senate Democratic leaders said Thursday they were prepared to seat Al Franken as soon as the beginning of April, regardless whether Republican Norm Coleman files legal appeals.

"We're feeling pretty confident," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said when asked in a news conference if he was prepared to make Franken a senator.

But Senate Republicans are already threatening to filibuster any attempt to seat Franken, who would represent the 59th Democratic vote in the Senate.

“Nothing could unify Republicans better than any attempt to try to seat Al Franken,” said Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Senate Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer of New York added that, while the party would allow Coleman to appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court, he expected the election dispute to be wrapped up by the beginning of April.

Then Reid turned the knife.

"Norm Coleman should have a five-minute conversation with John Ensign," Reid said.

<SNIP>

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/19373.html?xid=rss-page

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. April of what?

[dascientist]

6. 1st ........

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. April Fools Day - now I get it.

Ya got me, Harry.

[RollWithIt]

9. They should do a fakeout on April 1st and force the Republicans to start fillibustering for 4-5 hrs.

Then Reid comes out with all the Dem Senators and screams.... "APRIL FOOLS!"

[BlooInBloo]

2. And the countdown to Reid caving has begun!

[rvablue]

3. Franken and a puppy? It's going to be a GOOD April! n/t

[aquamarina]

4. Why are they waiting until April - if Reid feels "pretty confident"

then why don't they seat him NOW.

[RC]

5. What would this 5 minute conversation with John Ensign consist of?

[MiniMe]

10. I wondered that too

[PBS Poll-435]

8. Reid and Durban required a lawfully complete and signed election certificate from the IL SOS

Before Burris could be seated.


So if the election protest phase is still going on in Minnesota, I fail to see how Mark Ritchie and Tim Pawlenty are going to provide such a certificate.

[Cha]

11. The repukes have already blown their

wad on "unifying"..bring it.

Oh, and too late for coleman to be a hero in Minnesota.

[mvd]

12. When a ruling comes, then Reid should seat

The talk is here, but I want the action. While there could be appeals, they shouldn't keep Franken from his certificate.

[Clintonista2]

13. Can someone explain the "Norm Coleman should have a five-minute conversation with John Ensign" bit?

[Alcibiades]

14. It's in the article

"Reid explained that, in his 1998 Senate race, Ensign decided to concede defeat to Reid rather than pursue a recount."

[Clintonista2]

15. Oooh thanks

I probably should have read more than the excerpt :blush:

[Alcibiades]

16. It was a back slice in the OP, I think

Just kind of left you hanging.