Franken: Coleman Dishes ‘Cruel Criticism’ of Election

Democrat Al Franken said elections officials across Minnesota have faced “cruel criticism” of their work from Sen. Norm Coleman (R) during the state’s prolonged Senate contest, and pledged to be ready to go to work in Washington should he emerge victorious.

“Local and state election officials have endured cruel criticism of their work,” Franken wrote in an op-ed in the Rochester, Minn. Post-Bulletin. “The attacks on their work are not fair, have not worked thus far, and won’t overturn the results of the election.”

Franken said he respects Coleman’s right to challenge the state Board of Canvassers’ certification of a 225-vote lead for Franken, but warned that the stretch of time in which Minnesota has gone on without a Senator has harmed the state.

Franken’s campaign argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court this morning hoping to obtain a certificate of election and take a seat in the Senate, but the Court seemed dubious of the Democrat’s arguments.