Description
Book SynopsisThe behind-the-scenes story of the historic Franken-Coleman Minnesota Senate recount.
Trade Review"Weiner provides a lively play-by-play of a recount that fascinated the state, if not the nation." —
The New Yorker "Those who were pulling for Al Franken will enjoy this detailed account of how the 2008 Senate race in Minnesota and its subsequent recount contributed to the Democrats' total of 60 senators—the magic number needed to beat back a Republican filibuster. As nasty, ugly and unappealing as the battle between Franken and Norm Coleman was, watching the two sides explore every opportunity to pick up a vote or three in the post-election recount was just fascinating. No, it wasn't Florida, as the title suggests. The presidency was not at stake. And in that contest, the Democrats lost. But they won in Minnesota in the Great Recount of 2009. And if nothing else, the moral of the story is that every vote—
every vote—counts." —Ken Rudin
"Weiner’s lively description of the ins and outs of the recount battle will please election junkies, political scientists and political consultants." —
Kirkus Reviews Table of ContentsContents
Preface: How I Got Here
Cast of Characters
Prologue
"Counsel, this is not Florida!"
1. Extra Innings
"It's going to be really, really close."
2. Hunting for Ballots
"Trust me, they fucked it up."
3. New Sheriff in Town
"An eighty-four-year-old stroke victim"
4. The Count at the Table
"Why would you ever want less information?"
5. Why Are We Even Here?
"Really, Minnesota deserves better than this."
6. No Rubber Stamp
"It would be unjust and disrespectful to those voters to not count those votes."
7. The Supremes Throw a Curve
"We've never been able to figure out how they do their calculating."
8. Soldiering Ahead
"We need to get this right."
9. Reinforcements Arrive
"I have been brought in apparently as the pretty face."
10. Pulling a 180
"I'm somewhat speechless and amazed."
11. Stepping on a Rake
"I'm not familiar with all of the details."
12. Friday the Thirteenth
"Welcome to the quagmire."
13. Mastering the Data
"This is a major lift . . . This is a lot of bodies."
14. The Human Element
"You're going to have some errors in the process."
15. Thumbs Up
"I do."
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Key Moments That Shaped the Recount
Notes
Index
