SALON

Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009 11:00 PM UTC

Norm Coleman is never, ever gonna quit

Sen. Arlen Specter's defection from the GOP makes the fight in Minnesota even more vital for Republicans.

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Topics: 2010 Elections, War Room, Al Franken, D-Minn.,

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter’s decision to become a Democrat could have repercussions that extend into a state nearly half a continent away from his own. Because Al Franken would now represent Senate Democrats’ mystical 60th vote if he were to be seated, former Sen. Norm Coleman now has even more incentive not to give up in his legal battle, if only for the sake of his fellow Republicans.

Though of course he didn’t mention the political reasons for wanting to keep fighting, in a statement about Specter’s decision, Coleman campaign manager made it clear Coleman will continue:

Senator Coleman’s focus remains on the thousands of Minnesota citizens who have not had their voices heard or their votes counted. We will keep on fighting to enfranchise these voters and to ensure that every legally cast ballot is opened and counted.

The former senator’s case is currently on appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which will hear it at the beginning of June. After that, Coleman could take it federal and continue to drag things out that way.

Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon. More Alex Koppelman.

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

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