Coleman Camp Gets Roughed Up By State Supremes

[kpete]

Source: TPM Election Central

Coleman Camp Gets Roughed Up By State Supremes
By Eric Kleefeld - December 17, 2008, 3:53PM

The Minnesota Supreme Court just finished hearing arguments on Norm Coleman's lawsuit to stop the counting of ballots that are found to have been rejected due to clerical errors, and here's the deal: It didn't look great for Coleman.

Things started off on the wrong foot for Coleman's attorney Roger Magnuson right when he opened with political sloganeering, saying that the state canvassing board had "accepted an invitation to Florida in 2008." He was immediately interrupted by justices telling him that this is not Florida, and they don't need to be told about Florida. Things only went downhill from there.

Franken's lawyer William Pentelovitch got his share of rough questions, but they were generally of a different character -- that is, asking him to explore various ramifications of his arguments and to answer objections to them, rather than direct attacks on his entire logical underpinnings. Only one justice of the five hearing the case, Lorie Skjerven Gildea, was outright hostile to him.

If we're going entirely by which campaign had a harder time with the judge's questions -- which can often be true, but is far from being a perfect predictor -- Coleman would have to be considered the underdog in winning this lawsuit. But surprises can still definitely happen.


Read more: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/coleman_camp_gets_roughed_up_b.php

[williesgirl]

1. Thanks for the update. This is important. Coleman must go! rec'd

[acmavm]

2. Even if Franken isn't declared winner it doesn't sound like Coleman will

be around all that long. Or is the evidence against him and his wife not strong enough for an indictment?

[mascarax]

5. We don't know yet about a Coleman indictment, but...

Norm and Laurie have hired separate, high-powered local attorneys so their apparent wish that this whole Texas lawsuit stuff would just go away has not panned out for them.

And, on another note, I hate that there was no good choice when voting for Lorie Skjerven Gildea's seat. I didn't like her, but her opponent was much worse.

[Cha]

3. Thanks, kpete..

Super cliffhanger~

[Divine Discontent]

4. thanks for this link, kpete! eom

[Historic NY]

6. It going to get worst for old Normie.he is now using campaign funds for legal defense

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081217/pl_politico/27316

Donors to Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman's reelection campaign may be surprised to learn that the St. Paul Republican is planning to use their contributions to pay blue-chip criminal defense lawyers to defend him against a reported FBI probe into his dealings with a wealthy businessman

<snip>
“We intend to have any legal fees related to what we believe to be a politically inspired legal action to be covered by the senator’s campaign," said Coleman spokesman Luke Friedrich.

The tactic may be risky: The Federal Election Commission allows elected officials to use their war chests to pay legal bills only if the action/investigations arise as a result of their tenure in office or campaigns.

Many of the allegations against Coleman and his wife pre-date the as-yet undecided race against Franken -- even though Coleman has argued the matter only came to light as a result of the campaign.
<snip>

[formercia]

7. Sorry Normie

you don't qualify for the 'Grandfather Loophole.'

That's like a criminal who changes their name hoping to avoid charges previously committed.

He can change his name to Inmate437721, formerly known as Norm Coleman.