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Jul 1, 2009 2:00 pm US/Central
Franken: 'I'm Not Going To Waste This Chance'
(AP)
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Many in the crowd sported pro-Franken or pro-union shirts. "I'm one of 312," read one sign, a nod to Franken's winning vote margin. (File)
AP
Senator-elect Al Franken turned a rally at Minnesota's Capitol on Wednesday into an extended thank-you to supporters, promising not to "waste this chance" in what amounted to a victory speech nearly eight months late.
With a crowd of several hundred cheering his words, Franken said he had drawn strength from their efforts when his spirits flagged during the long recount and subsequent legal battle.
"When you win an election by this close a margin, you know not one bit of effort went to waste," Franken said, a day after Minnesota's Supreme Court affirmed his victory and Republican Norm Coleman conceded.
Many in the crowd sported pro-Franken or pro-union shirts. "I'm one of 312," read one sign, a nod to Franken's winning vote margin.
Franken's speech had the feel of one ordinarily given on Election Night, as he pledged to fight for childhood education, renewable energy and on other issues.
Franken said many supporters had asked him how he was doing during the long fight, worried how he was holding up. Just fine, he told them.
"Franni and I know we're lucky," Franken said, referring to his wife. "We're just lucky. What we've been through is nothing" compared with how many ordinary families have been hit hard by the recession.
"I'm not going to waste this chance," Franken said, his voice cracking with emotion.
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Democratic leader Harry Reid said Franken could be sworn in early next
week, entering as the Senate's most junior member. Franken said he'll
ask a deeply divided Minnesota to judge him by his actions.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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