Coleman now up by 210 votes vs. Franken

[JCMach1]

With 77% recounted it's not looking good for Al. :(


http://ww2.startribune.com/news/metro/elections/returns/2008/recount/msenco.html

[David Dunham]

1. I hope Al comes back

[JCMach1]

2. Me too, but the math is against him as this point.

He has lost a lot of ground today.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. You can't go by that number anymore.

Both sides are challenging ballots thereby taking that vote out of the opponent's totals. At this point, it has escalated to a "challenge frenzy" that I believe Coleman started to keep his count ahead of Franken's count.

Initially, Franken was mostly challenging under-votes (challenges that wouldn't affect Coleman's totals). Coleman started challenging obvious Franken votes to keep his totals down so he could maintain the illusion of victory throughout the process - remember, republicans think of this as a "streetfight" where the court of public opinion matters until they can, hopefully, get the matter before a sympathetic judge - ala Florda 2000. Franken is now playing tit for tat.

Bottom line is, this will go before a canvasing board to see whose challenges were more frivolous and the REAL number will emerge.

My theory is, and I could be a little biased, Franken's hands are a little cleaner and will pick up a substantial gain in the canvas. Of course, rethugs will scream bloody murder - and that's all part of the master plan.

[aquart]

3. Oh, rats.

[DaveinMD]

4. Coleman is going to be ahead after the recount

but that doesn't mean its over. He is challenging clear Franken votes. Franken will win this at the Canvass Board.

[Cetacea]

5. Franken estimated to win by 20-30 votes. n/t

[JCMach1]

8. Key word is ESTIMATE... Right now, Franken is loosing

many votes in key counties like St. Louis.

[Mind_your_head]

6. Geez, it's really neck-to-neck

Knock his block off, Al!

[ksimons]

7. I dunno, if you look at some districts Franken was behind in -

he gains votes on the net amount - so perhaps there is some chance of closing given the numbers left (crossing things, including my fingers)

[blueclown]

10. Pay no attention to the numbers anymore.

Coleman is racking up some frivolous challenges that are inflating his margin.

As of right now, it's pretty pointless to hyperventilate over this stuff. We will not know who will be the next senator from Minnesota until the canvassing board meets up in mid December to review all challenged ballots.