Franken's Fate In Hands Of GOP Gov. Pawlenty

Politico:

The legal fight between Al Franken and Norm Coleman is headed to the desk of Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- a no-win predicament for a Minnesota Republican with his eye on a White House run in 2012.

Franken won big Tuesday when a three-judge panel allowed the review of no more than 400 absentee ballots in a race he currently leads by 225 votes. Coleman's camp says an appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court is coming; once that's done, the dispute lands in Pawlenty's lap.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[jsgaetano]

Everyone knows Pawlenty is going to put the needs of his desperate and disgraced political party over the will of his state's voters and their need to have their senator seated.

Today's GOP- Party first, party last... every time.

[BartLA]

I hope he does follow that route and it blows up in his face. Would serve the Republicans right.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

I dunno. Earlier when republicans were screaming about the count Pawtney stood up and said the process was fair. Well I hope he will do the right thing. Lets see.

[jsgaetano]

Disposing of your integrity is a membership obligation in the GOP.

Pawlenty will "stay the course", and assist in Coleman's sore loser obstructionism. Just you watch and see.

[jme-SD]

Politically, Pawlenty the odds favor him going with the state court ruling. Sen. Thune is totally wrong in his thinking that there would not be a national price to be paid. Votes don't mean much if in the end you don't have the thing you were voting for - the elected official - and the people of Minnesota will say enough is enough.

It's very un-Minnesotan (in spite of crazy Michelle Bachman) to tolerate a prolonged conflict like this. By going with the state supreme court final ruling, he would look like he can stand up to the national party, and he could recover from the short term pain of that. It's not as if the national Republican party has any political capital to give anyone in their circular firing squad mode anyway.

Pawlenty would give a lot of independent-minded voters more reasons to move or stay in the Dem camp long term if he drags this out beyond the state litigation process .

[tomasedison]

the GOP has no bench, and it looks like all their players out on the field now came directly from a minor league team - 2010 is going to be a huge problem for them

[lizt]

I think a good sign is that Gov Pawlenty is one of the few Republicans who seems willing to go on the Rachel Maddow show. Most of them run from her since she actually has conversations not shouting matches or talking points. Seems like Pawlenty is a mainstream Republican­...one of the few left.

[plzchuteme]

Things aren't always as they may seem.

[Grunty1]

Pawlenty is relatively sane, but that's a rather low bar.
When it comes to shove, he is still a partisan Rushpublican.

[TXfemmom]

Oh, and since there have been reports that Coleman has taken a fake job with some company and is being paid by that company, then his ability to be seated should be moot. A Senator is not permitted to have another job, period. Supposedly, he took this job before his term was even over.

[TXfemmom]

If the Supreme Court of Minnesota rules and gives Franken the nod, then that should be enough for Pawlenty to say that he follows the law, and signs for Franken.

If Coleman wants to continue fighting, so be it, but Franken should be seated, because Coleman could with the economic support of the national Republicans, keep the stuff in federal courts, by filing one after another suits claiming different things. This kind of crap has to stop.

[bygollymissmolly]

If Pawlenty puts part over what is good for his state, he should not try to run for Governor again because the people of his state will remember his duplicity.

Pawlenty is on record as saying that the recount was complete and fair. If he cedes to the demands of the Republican party and acts against the good of his state, then he deserves to fail as a politician. He will prove himself to be a l i a r and a coward.

[jazzman]

Minnesota just can't get its act together. The State ran a clean election, a clean recount, and a fair appeal but it will be mucked up by their teeny weeny small brained politically minded partisan Governor. It may be the land where all the children are above average but it sure doesn 't seem that way by looking at the people they pick to run their State.

To think that this man wants to be our President. Yuk!

[janet1003mn]

Are you KIDDING me? Did you BOTHER to read the story in Politico? Didn't think so.

IF you'd have read the story, you'd have noted that the number of THUG reps and sens from other states who have the temerity to comment on this situation -- and apply not so subtle pressure to continue this farce -- is THE issue.

IF you'd have read the story, you'd have even seen that Pawlenty hasn't DONE anything other than go on record that the election and recount process have been legitimate. Didn't vote for him. Not a fan. But IF this lands in his hands, let's see what he actually DOES before condemning him for it.

As for you and the rest of the ignorant horde that has attached itself to my state's election debacle, do some good for a change instead of cackling from the cheap seats: Check out your OWN state's list of Republican representation and use those smokin' typing fingers of yours to send every one them a little note threatening their political annihilation in THEIR next election if they dare so much as to comment on this situation, let alone threaten political retribution for Pawlenty should he sign a certification or encourage Coleman to continue to S*** on the will of the people of Minnesota. In other words, tend to your own house before throwing stones at mine.

[reallyenuff]

If an elected official finds it hard or "no-win" to seat a candiate with more votes in an election contest - even if that candiate has just ONE more vote, he shouldn't be an elected official.

[apoyo]

He would probably increase his future chances at a successful presidential run if he rules fairly that Franken won. But acting for truth and justice is not the usual modus operandi for Repubs.

[Grunty1]

He won't win either way

If he does the right thing: he'll lose the maniac base.
If he doesn't: he'll lose everyone else.

[TreadingWater]

The maniac base couldn't get McCain/Palin elected, and they managed to lose big time in the House and the Senate. The Republican base isn't enough to get someone elected on the national stage. The GOP is headed for a splintering.

[janet1003mn]

"Everyone else" is certainly the larger voting pool, no?

[loveobamas]

I have a difficult time seeing this as "Franken put Pawlenty in a jam." Looks as though Pawlenty is between a rock and a hard spot, no matter what. He wouldn't be if his party wasn't GOP and he wasn't looking at running for higher office and needing the Repub backing.

He would simply make the best decision for the state of Minnesota. Period. Pooh on the party politics.

I don't feel for Pawlenty..­.but if he makes a good decision as governor, after assuring all legal issues have been appropriately answered, and he rules in favor of Franken, Repubs will get nasty and vengeful.

Good luck people of Minnesota.­..you deserve your full representation and leadership, and a lot sooner than later. Good luck Pawlenty in doing the right thing as fits his office.

Go Franken!!!!!!!! Isn't Coleman under investigation?

[NoSillyName]

Oh, FGS, Coleman LOST THE ELECTION!

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Charlie Cook of Cook Strategies an independent pollster and political straggliest said " stick a fork in Coleman he's down." Now the GOP political obstructionist need to get the message, because Minnesota may never forgive them. I don't know what Coleman really gets out this. I don't think he could win another election against Franken, to much bad blood under the bridge.

[kevenseven]

If they did that, they would not be obstructionists.

[bygollymissmolly]

Coleman is getting financial support out of this. The Republican party is paying all his legal bills and probably have promised to pay his legal bills for his upcoming corruption trial.

The sad thing is that when Coleman loses, in the end, and is told he has to pay for Franken's legal costs, the Republican party will abandon him in a hot minute.

[maggiee]

History again conspires to remove one of the few remaining Rupublicans who doesn't actually foam at the mouth from the possibilty of ever winning both a national Republican primary and a national general election. I feel bad for Gov Tim "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" Pawlenty..­..I think it's really really funny, but I feel kind of bad for him

[roshni]

I don't feel bad for Pawlenty at all. He should do his job and seat Al Franken. It's really a no brainer and I'm surprised that the people of MN are not more up in arms about this outrage.

[bygollymissmolly]

Especially when he is on record as having said he thinks that the recount was fair and just.

[janet1003mn]

He hasn't NOT seated him yet. Did you not read the article? This ISN'T on Tim Pawlenty's desk yet. I didn't vote for the man and I'm not a fan of his, but does simply decency no longer command that we wait for him to take action before deciding he and his actions are to be condemned? Use your heads, people. This is getting very tiresome.

[stepper]

Remember folks, there are two sides to every argument. After the Supreme Court decision, Pawlenty will have to decide which argument is more compelling. Dems and Independents will want him to sign the election certificate so that they can seat their duly elected representative. Reps will want him to refuse because they hate Al Franken.

Yes, there are two sides to every argument. But those sides aren't always equal.