We all remember Norm Coleman saying that Al Franken should refuse a recount to save Minnesota $78,000 and that if he were in the same situation that's what he would do.
Well with half the recount done Coleman is down to a 157 vote lead and this afternoon he told the Star Tribune that if Franken is certified the winner by the board of elections, he may not stick to that principle of conceding to save taxpayer money..
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."
http://www.startribune.com/...
So Norm sets his principles on whether he is currently ahead by 700 votes or only 157. We've all been waiting to see how Norm would wiggle out of this one.
Great up-to-the-minute updates on the recount here:
http://www.startribune.com/...