Intent Schmintent
Harry Reid is, by all accounts, salivating for a Franken victory; one which would mean 59 Democratic Senators – just shy of the 60 needed to prevent a Republican filibuster – though Democrats will cross the threshold when Joe Lieberman joins the caucus. And Al Franken aims to make this scary nightmare an even more unfunny reality. His campaign is determined to win steal Minnesota’s senate seat by any means necessary, including, but not limited to, challenging ballots with seemingly clear intent.
Franken, who remains “cautiously optimistic” about his chances, wants the state Canvassing Board to review a ballot from Plymouth, Minnesota, for, apparently, having an “X” inside the bubble.
Now, I don’t know how they run surveys for Hustler Magazine, but the above voter’s intention seems pretty straight-forward. Assuming the “X” somehow signified a reversal of opinion by the voter on Coleman, wouldn’t said voter have cast their ballot for either Franken or Barkley, not leaving them both blank?
If Franken keeps up these costly antics, he’ll make Gore look like a gracious loser.
UPDATE: Welcome, Red State readers!
[...] the challenging of ballots, but Franken is going just a little bit overboard. James Richardson of The Skepticians gives us a special look at one of the ballots that Franken is [...]
[...] Below is a ballot from Plymouth, MN. Can you tell for whom that person intended to vote? [...]
[...] Below is a ballot from Plymouth, MN. Can you tell for whom that person intended to vote? [...]
I wish the media would give us 1/2 of a fair shake. The American public (if they knew) wouldn’t tolerate this.
Sorrowful time when you need to pray for democracy.
Great post James.
RECOUNT COLEMAN and Other Ballots Challenged By FRANKEN 106
RECOUNT FRANKEN and Other Ballots Challenged By COLEMAN 115
As for the above cited ballot I wonder why they wouldn’t show the entire ballot.
For example, if all of the other marks were cleanly inside the oval and filled in completely I believe the voters intent could have been to x out the mark for Coleman and not vote for a Senator.
When you have 3 million ballots cast that doesn’t seem far fetched at all.
And I think you are just causing trouble and trying to rile the knuckledragging faction of the GOP.
Just let the recount take it’s course and quit spreading propaganda.
I wonder how this image was made. I understand that nobody but the judges are allowed ot toch the ballots
me,
I was not aware of that. It’s probably BS just like the story about the absentee ballots showing up out of nowhere.
Can’t figure out why the wouldn’t show the entire ballot unless someone is trying to mislead.
God I hope Franken wins.
You jackasses, the image of the ballot is from the Star Tribune, i.e. a reputable news outlet. Pull your heads out of your asses.
Jharp, stop using logic and rationality…don’t you dare stop me and my republican friends from having a white collar riot to prevent blue collar works from having their voted counted.
I am going to manufacture as much false rage about this recount as possible..so I can see my sellout Norm Coleman have another term in the senate.
Ryan,
Please watch your language. I just asked the question
Hey Ryan-jack,
can you post the link to the image at the star tribune
Me, James linked to it all-along. You just had to click the image. http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower/2008/11/19/one-challenge-headed-to-the-state-so-far-in-plymouth/
And for purposes of clarification, the above comment was aimed squarely at jharp.
Ryan,
“You jackasses, the image of the ballot is from the Star Tribune, i.e. a reputable news outlet.”
And your point is what? And just to be clear my question is why wouldn’t they post a copy that showed the entire ballot?
Doesn’t seem too difficult a thing to do and most likely would make the voters intent undisputable.
[...] Below is a ballot from Plymouth, MN. Can you tell for whom that person intended to vote? [...]
from the plymouth paper :
“That’s the only challenge in the special envelope in Plymouth so far”
the only one. and coleman is leading in reviews overall.
reality check needed here.
[...] see: The Skepticians – Intent Schmintent Close Bookmark and Share This Page Save to Browser Favorites / [...]
[...] looking at “intent of the voter” when attempting to gain votes, but when he encounters this, he challenges it? Something’s clearly fishy [...]
Now you know what the Florida recount and subsequent theft of the 2000 election felt like. Doesn’t feel so good when it happens to you, does it?
[...] way of a few of the latest examples, they post an item from someplace called The Skepticians by James Richardson which argues (without evidence): [Franken's] campaign is determined to win steal Minnesota’s [...]
Good night, bloggers =)