Time plays dumb about Norm Coleman
April 07, 2009 12:41 pm ET by Eric Boehlert
Check out the misleading headline:
Coleman and Franken Still Battle, As Minnesota Gripes
See, Coleman and Franken are each battling; both of them for dragging this recount vote out in the courts.
Last time we checked, the statewide, hand recount found that Franken had won. It was Coleman who demanded a lengthy court trial, it's Coleman who's appealing to the Minnesota Supreme Court, and it's Coleman whose allies are encouraging him to appeal to federal court if he loses in his home state, which could drag the case into 2010.
How is Franken battling with Coleman, other than showing up and defending himself at Coleman's endless legal appeals?
And of course, Time dutifully refuses to raise the specter of Coleman as a sore loser. Apparently, for the Beltway press, when the GOP plays electoral hardball, it's to be admired. But when Democrats attempt it (nice try, Al), it's to be condemned. Immediately.
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In late-2000, all the headlines were "Gore battles," "Gore refuses to concede," and endless "Sore-Loserman" signs and bumper stickers whose message was repeatedly bleated in the MSM. All because Bush was apparently ahead by 600 votes out of six million cast in Florida.
So Franken is 225 votes ahead out of less than three million cast, and they are BOTH "still battling?" Actually, no-- we have a winner who is being denied his seat by a petulant, whiny, Sore Loser. A petulant, whiny sore loser who is being enabled by the Democratic Leadership in the Senate, btw- Reid should have had Franken sworn in two months ago.
If the GOP had the majority, and Coleman had finished 225 votes ahead, he would have been sworn in in January. Hell, the Democratic Leadership probably would have pressured Franken to drop his challenge long ago.
For the last 20 years, Republican's are seen as stalwart, disciplined, organized and intent on their message.
But when Dems fight, it's always framed as counterproductive, potentially destructive, immature, alienating and politically risky.