Owes back taxes too... here

Article is dated April 2008. I'm a tad out of touch, but didn't the election happen subsequent to that date? And didn't he win?

Bill, living in Tokyo has put you quite out of touch. The Minnesota US senatorial election was decided in Franken's favor after a recount by a margin smaller than the noise level. Now it is being litigated, leaving Minnesota with only one senator for a while. And Mr. Franken is far from poor, AOR.

And Mr. Franken is far from poor, AOR.

Yeah, I've read that he's worth somewhere between 5-9 million.

However, the point is very simple...if you're going to run for office, whether Democrat or Republican, you'd better make sure that your own financial house is in order before you take control over someone elses.

Let he who is without financial sin cast ... and all that. Since I don't live in Minnesota, I don't know whether tax arrears was an issue in the election. It's good to know that one will properly render unto Caesar before becoming one of his senators (maybe) or one of his officers.

Oenophone -

Thanks. Didn't realize it was still in litigation.

I guess my point was that since the election took place substantially subsequent to the revelation, voters will have taken account of Franken's tax probity (or lack thereof) to whatever extent they deemed appropriate in casting their votes. This makes Franken's case rather a different situation than that of Obama's recent problems with appointees.

I agree with AOR's point that it would be nice if politicians of all flavors would keep their houses in order, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Some limited level of competence is the most I feel we can realistically wish for, and even that hope may be forlorn.

Some limited level of competence is the most I feel we can realistically wish for

And integrity seems to be almost beyond hope for nearly all.

While we all (to one extent or another) have the veritable skeleton(s) in our respective closets, my fear is that as time goes on, we'll have become so accustomed and accepting of our politicians having legal problems to one extent or another that it'll be an expected condition.

"Well, you know...he was only suspected of second degree murder and attempted rape but was never charged. And, his numerous acquittals for spousal abuse were definitely justified. I still think he'd make a great Senator!"

Unfortunately we're an easily conditioned society. Tell a lie long enough and it eventually becomes the truth.

The article is from April 30. He paid the back taxes. He wasn't appointed; the people (if they were paying attention) knew about it and voted. Case closed.

Case closed.

A bit premature, n'est pas?

n'est-ce pas

Right you are Mike; my post employed a lonely verb without a pronoun. It's been so long since I was an undergrad; I wouldn't have made that error then.
To get back to the subject, it seems that the Franken/Coleman court battle goes on and on and promises to do more of the same as questionable ballots are individually scrutinized. It would be funny if it took six years to resolve, exhausting the candidates' fund reserves.

i listened to al on air america, is that still on air. I liked his ideas a the time. i hope he wins. he's also kinda funny sometimes.