Coleman Dismisses Idea of Taking Case to Supreme Court
Ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.), at the Capitol on Tuesday to lunch with his former GOP colleagues, said he does not expect to take his election recount battle all the way to the Supreme Court.
“I’m not anticipating being across the street,— Coleman said, pointing toward the Supreme Court building as he stood just off the Senate floor. “In the end for me, fundamentally, it’s about making sure every vote is counted.—
Coleman returned to the Hill to join Senate Republicans at their weekly policy luncheon and to “stay apprised— of legislative business before the chamber. He is currently battling to stay in the Senate against Democratic challenger Al Franken, who after a statewide recount leads him by 225 votes.
The outcome of the recount is now rests with a three-judge panel, which is expected to hand down a decision within days. Some Republicans have suggested Coleman fight for his seat in the Supreme Court if the panel awards the seat to Franken.
“It is surreal. Here we’re at the end of March, beginning of April, it’s surreal,— Coleman said, looking frustrated as he noted the lengthy timeline.
Coleman added the Federal Election Commission’s recent decision to allow national parties to help pay for the recount was “helpful.— He did not say whether he would be holding a fundraiser while he was in town.
Franken is also expected to be in Washington, D.C., this week. He is slated to appear at a dinner Wednesday evening to pick up an award from the United Service Organizations.