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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Court declares Franken 'victory' | Court declares Franken 'victory' |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Minnesota's Supreme Court has declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of the state's disputed 2008 US Senate race. | Minnesota's Supreme Court has declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of the state's disputed 2008 US Senate race. |
| On election night last November, electronic voting machines gave Mr Franken's Republican opponent Norm Coleman a 215-vote lead. | On election night last November, electronic voting machines gave Mr Franken's Republican opponent Norm Coleman a 215-vote lead. |
| After a state-wide manual recount Mr Franken was declared the winner, but Mr Coleman fought the result in court. | After a state-wide manual recount Mr Franken was declared the winner, but Mr Coleman fought the result in court. |
| The Supreme Court ruling means that Mr Franken should soon become the Democrats' 60th vote in the US Senate. | The Supreme Court ruling means that Mr Franken should soon become the Democrats' 60th vote in the US Senate. |
| Sixty votes are needed to overturn attempts by the Senate minority to block legislation using a technique known as a filibuster. | Sixty votes are needed to overturn attempts by the Senate minority to block legislation using a technique known as a filibuster. |
| Comedian | Comedian |
| Mr Coleman has not publicly ruled out continuing his fight in the federal courts. | Mr Coleman has not publicly ruled out continuing his fight in the federal courts. |
| In earlier court hearings, his legal team complained that a number of absentee ballots had been unfairly rejected by local officials. | In earlier court hearings, his legal team complained that a number of absentee ballots had been unfairly rejected by local officials. |
| The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November Harry ReidSenate Majority Leader Q&A: Minnesota Senate race | |
| But the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Mr Coleman's arguments. | But the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Mr Coleman's arguments. |
| Mr Franken first came to prominence as a comedian, appearing on Saturday Night Live. | Mr Franken first came to prominence as a comedian, appearing on Saturday Night Live. |
| He later became a best-selling author and a host on the liberal Air America radio station. | He later became a best-selling author and a host on the liberal Air America radio station. |
| Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement to "congratulate Senator-elect Al Franken, the next senator from the state of Minnesota". | |
| He added: "The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve." |