Comments on: Franken-Coleman Update, 02/27/09: Under the Bus

By: PPDCUS

PPDCUS — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:21:35 +0000

I’m surprised Harris & Bachmann haven’t yet been called as expert witnesses on the NRC’s Rovian strategy to steal this election.

As for Coleman’s post Nov. 5th legal antics, he may get a different kind of six year term when he’s convicted of suborning perjury, obstructing justice, and violating state election laws — in Stillwater.

This would be extreme for Minnesota. It’s not like he’s a former governor of Illinois.

By: barbara

barbara — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:21:18 +0000

That’s what the St. Paul “Pioneer Press” newspaper recommended. Urgh!

By: zapkitty

zapkitty — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:56:28 +0000

Judges do have some leeway in adjudicating any special needs of the person being subpoenaed.

That said… from the limited information available this person sounds a bit too special.

By: zapkitty

zapkitty — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:51:28 +0000

Nah, Reid should stay out of it until Coleman has exhausted the last recourse available available under MN election law.

And when Coleman goes on to the Federal courts in an attempt to continue the stall?… that’s when Reid should step in, if he chooses to do so.

By: texasaggie

texasaggie — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:46:43 +0000

” Who should pay for this — Coleman, as the contestant, or the City of Duluth (which is flat broke)?”

I’m not sure why this comes into question. If the guy is subpoenaed, then he doesn’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter.

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:42:54 +0000

As I count them, Coleman has perhaps four motions the court needs to address shortly, probably tomorrow, and then at least Ginsberg says his side will rest their case in chief.

Then there will be Franken’s motion for Summary Judgment, and should that fail, then Franken’s side has his case, and Elias says it will take perhaps two weeks. Could be more.

Then the judges will have to rule specifically on what to count if anything, and then the counting, and a determination of who has the most votes.

Assuming Franken still does, then it will be appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court — and that could take 2-3 weeks. There will be briefs and answering briefs and all, and then an hour or so of oral argument. Then the Court will write a formal opinion.

I am convinced once they issue an opinion they can also order the election certificate, and then send the whole trial and recount record to the US Senate, along with Franken and his certificate. Some argue that if Coleman tries to get into Federal Court, that would stay the certification, but I think the Minnesota Supremes can order up the certificate.

I think the formal seating will be after the Easter/Passover holidays when the Senate returns from its recess. Last week of April.

But if the trial court throws out Coleman’s case in summary judgment, and the supremes affirm that decision — could be end of next week!!!

By: barbarajmay

barbarajmay — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:28:03 +0000

Not their fees, but he will automatically have to pay their costs if he loses. And they will be prohibitive. Also, under Minnesota law, if an attorney is found to have filed a frivolous pleading, he can be ordered, after notice and hearing, to pay everyone’s attorneys fees. And here’s hoping.

By: hawkseye36

hawkseye36 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:19:35 +0000

I should think the judges’ patience would be coming to an end and that we will be moving on soon to the seating of Franken. Judges are probably waiting until Coleman exhausts all reasonable and appealable/reversible motions, and then they will shut him down.

By: SWEG

SWEG — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:05:26 +0000

Obviously the only sane thing to do is to keep holding new elections until Norm wins.

By: whipmeco

whipmeco — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:41:03 +0000

I would think at this point Senator Reid would just say ” We are going to seat Senator Franken on Monday.
We are no longer convinced that this nedds to go on any longer.”