Franken Finally Nearing Victory Over Coleman in Minnesota Senate Race
MINNEAPOLIS—The seemingly never-ending saga of the Senate race in Minnesota may finally be over soon. The word around the Twin Cities is that Democrat Al Franken will be certified the winner after the State Supreme Court rules against Republican Norm Coleman's appeal of the outcome last November.
The state has been without its second seat in the Senate because of the drawn-out process by Republicans here and in Washington. The backdrop was clear: The GOP did not want a 60th Democrat in the Senate, giving President Obama a potential vote to deny filibusters by the minority as well as a veto-proof chamber.
Republicans claim they have had the right to appeal and they are correct. But many of them are the same folks who howled "sore loser" in 2000 when Al Gore contested the disputed presidential vote count in Florida. The stakes were much higher then, and gave us George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for eight long years.
The story in Minnesota could have another chapter or two. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a two-term Republican, announced this month that he would not seek a third term in 2010. It touched off immediate speculation that he would run for president in 2012. Pawlenty was on Sen. John McCain's final list as a running mate last year before McCain settled on Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.
Coleman, meanwhile, may not go quietly from the scene. The political word is spreading that he has told Republican money donors to hold back before committing on the governor's race. The field in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is a large one, and Coleman would likely get little or no opposition if he decides to run.
However, the shuffle of seats may not sit well with Gopher State voters. Coleman's obstinance in the Senate race has some negative implications, as the state has been without a second vote during the winter, spring, and into the summer months.
Coleman also faces a huge legal bill. A court in St. Paul ruled last week that he owed Franken's campaign nearly $100,000 in fees. And while Coleman will likely get assistance from national donors in the party, his legal tab will run into the millions.
Both parties elected state chairs last weekend with the losing Republicans promising "new ideas" in the future to challenge the DFL.
Some suggestions from this corner (that will go unheeded):
1. Tell Coleman to be humble following this marathon challenge of his race with Franken. It may make him a few new friends.
2. Tell Rep. Michele Bachmann that it is fine to be conservative, but to stop making loony charges that wind up in the national news. She is becoming the poster lady for far-right statements in Congress.
3. Return to the more moderate views exemplified by past Republican Govs. Elmer Andersen and Harold LeVander and Rep. Al Quie, a House member who championed progressive education measures in Congress.
Minnesota has had a reputation as a good-government state with clean politics and a taxation policy that does not ignore the needs of urban or agricultural residents. (Full disclosure: I am a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota.)
That reputation could use a little polishing.
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Reader Comments
Embarassment will extend beyond Minnesota
Once Franken is seated it will be an embarassment to Minnesota, the Senate, the Country and even to the Democrats. Based on what Franken has said in the past, I believe the Democrats will find that they pay a high price for this one extra vote.
No Decision is A Decision
Having lived through Florida 2000 and its disastrous aftermath, I certainly understand and support the right of the underdog to a fair check on a close election outcome.
But there needs to be some kind of reasonable time limit on this process. It would be different if the Senate was suspending any Senate business until this race is resolved. They are not.
Minnesota needs its second US Senator, this is true. It is also true that the rest of the US needs its 50th Senator. There is crucial work to be done, and that work cannot wait another 6 months, or year, or ????
In 2000, Republicans clamored for a quick resolution, even though we had a perfectly good, honestly elected President sitting fully capable in the White house for close to another 3 months. In contrast, we now have only 49 US Senators.
The counts and recounts and court certifications have all been completed. So where is the Republican urgency to get this election over with?
No decision is a decision. In this case it is a decision to deny due power to an elected President and his party for an indefinite period of time. No court has that right.
Minnesota law specifies that if the Minnesota Supreme Court is deadlocked, they are obligated to stop the proceeding, and announce that they have failed to come to a decision.
It is past time for that to happen.
Can't happen soon enough
We need the 60th Dem in the Senate, NOW, while we're doing health care and regulatory reform.
We send our condolences to Minnesotans for what all you've been through with this. But the issue here is actually a national thing of great importance. Us liberals NEED to be able to go to our own DEM guys and say: "There ain't no filibuster now, so nix this silly talk about the need for bi-partisanship and get on with serious change while the sun shines".
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