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Coleman Camp: Sec of State's Comments on Recount Were "Offensive"
The Republicans' apparent effort to de-legitimize the coming recount in the Minnesota Senate race continues.
Yesterday, we reported that the NRSC was distributing to the press a negative research document attacking the man who'll oversee the recount, Minnesota's secretary of state Mark Ritchie, as a partisan Democrat with ties to ACORN, among other alleged sins.
Today, the campaign of incumbent Republican Norm Coleman doubled down on that strategy.
This morning, in an interview with MSNBC, Ritchie was asked about the Coleman camp's criticism of the recount. He replied: "Their goal is to win at any price. They've invested millions and millions of dollars. We consider this part of the normal political rhetoric."
Ritchie added: "We're used to the political rhetoric being amped up. That's part of their job -- to win at any price."
Ritchie seemed to be trying to say that amped-up political rhetoric is to be expected from both sides. But his comments were clumsy at best, and they offered Coleman an opening.
Soon afterwards, the Coleman campaign released a statement calling the remarks "offensive" and saying they underscore "our concerns about his ability to act as an unbiased official in this recount."
With the first count almost complete, Coleman leads by around 200 votes. Although that's easily within the margin that triggers an automatic recount under state law, Coleman has fought the notion of a recount from the start. He originally called on Al Franken, his Democratic challenger, to waive his right to a recount -- a request Franken quickly declined.

















Wasn't Coleman the guy who wanted Franken to forego the recount because of the tremendous cost of the recount process? Now Coleman is going to lawyer up the procedure and challenge every Franken vote he can. You gonna pick up the State's tab for that Norm?
But let's be grateful that the whole book of sleazy Republican tricks for stealing a senatorial election is being given national attention so that what's left of the GOP's reputation gets even more soiled. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have Colemen and that subhuman-being in Georgia reelected. If someone can figure out a way to get them enough media exposure, the entire GOP might disappear. Maybe the Whigs would try a comeback - it would fit right in with the current Republican demographic base.
November 12, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is offensive here is clearly Coleman's tactic:
"distributing to the press a negative research document attacking the man who'll oversee the recount"
Strikes me as how TPM has more than "doubled down" on this whole story. Maybe there's something to be said for sleazy politics and muckraking, after all.
November 12, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not quite clear on exactly what Ritchie said that Coleman should find so offensive.
Is he not trying to win here? Did he not spend millions of dollars? Can't the same be said of Frankent? And in betwixt, is not Ritchie just doing his job?
November 13, 2008 3:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans could bring back the Know-Nothings, a 19th century party which feared Irish immigration and alcohol. Has a nice ring to it.
November 12, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought they just changed names, that's all.
A toilet is a toilet, by any other name, and does smell as sweet.
November 13, 2008 3:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't see Ritchie's comment as clumsy at all. And what's more, I don't see anyone who knows the stakes and a memory of recent recounts to expect any differently from either camp. Brooks Brothers Riot anyone?
I don't know how this is playing out in the Minnesota press, but if they're giving Coleman's attempts to work the refs and all parties involved any credence what so ever, I'd be very very disappointed.
Minnesota, you deserve better than this guy.
November 12, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
When your lodging and clothing are provided for zilch why not go for the lipstick too?
Norm just aint got it.
November 12, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
nice to see the repugs can get rid of their losing stlye of campaigning.
November 12, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yikes! I didn't know the undead could run for office. Coleman looks like a zombie in that picture - need brains!
November 12, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is video that explains Franken's victory plan at Franken takes vote fraud advice from old Chicago Machine
November 15, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the right wing troll comment.
November 16, 2008 2:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was a nice effort made by you. i really appreciate it the way you did it.
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May 29, 2009 3:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice to see the repugs can get rid of their losing stlye of campaigning. I am really thankful for share it with me...
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October 12, 2009 6:03 AM | Reply | Permalink