Franken lawyer dismisses Coleman appeal as “same old, same old”

Al Franken’s attorney dismissed Norm Coleman’s appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court today as “same old, same old” and the “death throes” of the Coleman legal effort.

“It’s not easy,” Marc Elias said of being on the short end of a disputed election. “But at some point you have to accept the reality.”

Elias mocked Coleman attorney Ben Ginsberg’s characterization of the petition notice filed today as an appeal for voter enfranchisement and due process.

Four of five Coleman claims actually call for disenfranchising voters, Elias said: “When it comes to disenfranchisement, no one holds a candle to the legal team assembled by Sen. Coleman.”

As for Constitutional claims, Elias siad, “Whatever process is due for Sen. Coleman, he has had.”

Elias said Franken’s team would file a motion tomorrow asking for a schedule that would have all briefs in by May 2. Any oral arguments and decision would happen after that date on the court’s schedule.

Asked on a telephone press conference about the lack of a brief in today’s five-page filing — Coleman’s camp having filed only a notice that Coleman intends to petition — Elias said, “Obviously it’s not a terribly long document.”