Breaking: Minnesota Supremes Give Win To Franken
It’s over (for now, anyway, and possibly for good): The Minnesota Supreme Court has just tossed Norm Coleman’s appeal, ruling that Al Franken is the rightful winner of the Senate race. The decision is here.
The conclusion:
For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under Minn. 32 Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota.
More soon.
Update: Presuming Coleman doesn’t press on, it’s impossible to overstate how much this changes the calculus in just about every looming legislative battle, from climate change to health care to the Employee Free Choice Act.
Update: The statement just out from DSCC chief Robert Menendez immediately calls on Minnesota’s Governor to sign Franken into the Senate, and emphasizes how long this has dragged on:
“We’ve always said that Norm Coleman deserved his day in court, and he got eight months. Now we expect Governor Pawlenty to do the right thing, follow the law, and sign the election certificate. From health care to the Supreme Court to getting our economy moving again, the challenges facing us are complex and we need Al Franken in the Senate. In this historic and urgent moment in our history, Minnesotans have gone long enough without full representation. Al Franken will be an critical voice on the issues before us and it’s time to let him get to work.”
Update: Recall that Governor Tim Pawlenty promised to certify the election results “promptly” in the wake of a supreme court decision.
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My heart soars like an eagle.
I bet somewhere President Obama is doing a touchdown dance right now. Not just for another vote. But also because I have a strong suspicion that the floor speeches are now going to be must see TV. Franken isn’t going to take any bullsh*t and I doubt if he will mind calling people out straight away too. He actually has an attack dog in the Senate now who isn’t going to by that nice guy routine.
.
Man this made my day!
There is a god.
The Franken Decade!
I’m hopeful Al knows better than to join the Boys Club in the Senate.
Go get ‘em Al!
We finally have a bully in the bully pulpit!
Two days ago, Pawlenty said on CNN that he’d sign the certificate given this decision. So, it looks finally done. This is going to be fun. O’Reilly and Limbaugh, particularly.
Finally, the truth can be told!
Al Franken endorses McCain-Palin!!!
Don’t believe it? Check out this photo.
(If I look pretty wasted, that’s because, well, I am.)
bernie, you sure about that TPaw thing?
Greg
He pretty much said he same thing again this morning on MSNBC and they just replayed it. I suppose he could try to parse the wording of the ruling but if he does he might as well go ahead and resign as governor.
“I’m prepared to sign [the certification] as soon as they give the green light,” Pawlenty said. “I’m not going to defy an order of the Minnesota Supreme Court. That would be a dereliction of my duty.” TPaw via Politico
I disagree that this changes everything Greg. We still have Lieberdems like Ben Nelson and Evan Bayh that are willing to gum up the process for their corporate overlords. And the Majority leader is still Harry Reid, who will probably filibuster himself if it is the only way he can keep the Senate as a “debating club” and away from passing legislation.
” I’m not going to defy an order of the Minnesota Supreme Court.”
Do please note that the MN Supreme Court elected NOT to issue such an order. With regards to issuing a certificate the wording of their opinion is in passive voice, is it not? I predict the delays aren’t over yet.
yeah, there’s room in Pawlenty’s phrasing for him to weasel but I think the costs to him will be too high given his aspirations.
and wanted to add that I find jzap a very handsome fellow and likely a potential mate for my dear mother