The Hill has a story tonight with direct quotes from a bevy of Republican Senators, all of whom will back Norm Coleman's quixotic bid for the Junior Senator's seat in Minnesota--even if it means he takes it to the Supreme Court. Amazingly, some even try to echo his talking points, including Orrin Hatch most egregiously:
"There are very important issues involved -- constitutional issues -- and I have no qualms about saying that if he can, he ought to push it all the way," said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). "We're so sick and tired of having one set of rules for Democrats they don't abide by, and then another set of rules for Republicans. The Democrats didn't count the ballots the way they should and they didn't put the protections in that they should. It was the Republicans who were better at counting ballots and doing what was right and following the law. They don't do it on the other side as much.
{more ridiculousness--and Schumer's solid answer--below}
Hatch goes on to say:
"I don't think it's hurting the party. I think we all realize it's so close and there's a lot involved here and I don't think it's hurt the state, either, because it hasn't hurt them either. It's always good to have two senators, but not when one may not be entitled to the position."
Not entitled? Exqueeze me? Baking powder? And you have to wonder where he's getting his sense that it's not hurting the party. Nearly half of Minnesotans apparently wanted him to concede...in January.
Most of the true winger crackpots came out for this article: Sam Brownback, John Cornyn, Bob Corker, Jon Kyl, Jeff Sessions, the aforementioned Hatch, and...Olympia Snowe? That's kind of odd, frankly. Her rationale is to simply let Norm be Norm:
"Whatever he says," said Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine.). "So much has been committed. He's obviously invested so much in time and commitment and money -- it's staggering -- so I think it's important that either side abide by the final process by which the final decision will be rendered. It would put your mind at peace with the outcome."
So now it's OK to contest something after it's long been clear it is hopeless...because you've but so much money in after it already? Gotcha.
I'm no fan of Chuck Schumer for the most part, but his statement in response is reassuring:
"We believe the law of Minnesota requires a candidate to be certified after all the state appeals are through, whether someone applies to the federal court or not," said Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Good to hear. Hopefully we will only need to wait until after the MSC rules, and then Chuck will have Al seated and absorb "World War III" like he is paid and was elected to do. But I hope reporters continue to ask Republicans whether they support this lost cause. The more in bed with another loser, the better.