Practically Giggling, Al Franken's Lawyer Addresses 'Former Senator Coleman'

If George W. Bush, Hugo Chavez and Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson have taught us anything, it's that victory is no fun unless you can rub it in.

That explains the philosophy of Al Franken's lawyer Marc Elias, who briefed reporters on the legal challenges being staged by Franken's opponent, Norm Coleman.

Up until the weekend, Coleman was a sitting United States Senator. But now, with the 111th Congress officially sworn in, Coleman trailing Franken by 225 votes, and the Minnesota State Elections Board having certified Franken the winner... it looks like Coleman is just another "former" Senator.

A point that Elias is all too happy to point out...

Elias repeatedly referred to Coleman as "former Senator Coleman" -- a reference to Coleman's term having expired this past Saturday -- a rhetorical point we'll probably be hearing more of in the weeks and months that this thing takes.

"But you shouldn't confuse the fact that the courts should remain open to hear those claims, with the question of whether or not those claims have any merit," Elias said. "And in this case, former Senator Coleman's claims don't have any merit."

The question now is whether referring to lawmakers by a former title will sweep through all of Capitol Hill. If so, prepare yourself for ample references to "former Democrat Lieberman," "former bust Shuler" and "former taxpayer Rangel."

And, lest we forget the race in question, "former New Yorker Franken."


See also: Franken To Be Declared the Winner in Minnesota