Coleman revisits post-election comments

By Rochelle A. Olson, Star Tribune

Last update: November 21, 2008 - 5:01 PM

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Sen. Norm Coleman was in Wright County on Friday and though his visit to an Xcel facility in Monticello was to discuss energy issues, reporters asked him, of course, about the election recount.

He said several times that he has confidence in the Canvassing Board. He also said he's not involved in the day-to-day recount.

Asked at one point whether he would concede if the board certified Al Franken as the winner, as the senator had suggested Franken do the morning after the election, Coleman didn't answer directly.

However, he expressed second thoughts about his comments that morning. He noted that his lead at the time was substantially larger, more than 700 votes, and also that he hadn't slept in 36 hours. Now, he said, "I don't think I'd have made the same statement."

During a response to a previous question about ballot challenges, Coleman said: "My sense is, there are games being played on both sides and it would be great if they would put the games aside."

Of the recount, he said: "I've got faith we'll get it done the Minnesota way."

He also said he's confident he'll prevail.

"The vote will be what the vote will be," he said. "I'm not walking around wringing my hands worried about the recount."

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