Franken gets DFL nomination

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer has just taken the podium and declined the nomination and called for an acclamation endorsement of Al Franken for U.S. Senator.

The convention delegates accepted a motion in support of that, meaning Franken has the DFL endorsement after one ballot. The word swirling around the press area is that Franken secured 61.8 percent of the endorsement votes.

“I want to congratulate Al Franken. You have selected Al Franken, and I will abide by your decision,” Nelson-Pallmeyer said. He thanked his family and his volunteers and the delegates.

“We are determined that we are going to change the direction of this country and we are going to do it in this election,” Nelson-Pallmeyer said.

One delegate, a middle-aged woman in line getting a sandwich while the votes were being counted, said she personally was not offended by Franken’s satiric writings that included “jokes” about rape and violence against women. And she voted for Franken because she wants someone who can beat Norm Coleman. “I want a fighter,” she said.

Franken is approaching the stage for his acceptance speech -- to rousing applause.