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

[shel3364]

We all know about it....


"If I were trailing, I would step back. I just think the healing process is so important, the possibility of making a change of this magnitude in the voting system we have is so remote."

- Senator Norm Coleman, Nov. 5, 2008

[LiberalDemIda]

Yes, but we all also know that the Repub meme is and always has been, "do as I say, not as I do". Why some Americans still vote for, and believe in, the Repub party is something for psychiatrists to seriously ponder and analyze.

[mitsie]

These Repubs seem to forget the last two elections and why they lost. They keep this up for years and the elected Senator never takes office, that state will turn Democratic or Independant.

[arspar183]

let's see if pawlenty has any modicum of ethics to do what is right and lawful. he can learn something from the new AG from a dem adminstration who dropped all charges on Stevens a repub. The rule of law is all that should matter here. Which way will pawlenty go?

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Actually he dose, but as you can see the GOP takes no prisoners, if Pawlenty is thrown under a bus, so be it.

[Phxflyer]

Seat Sen. Al Franken now.

[VikingQuest]

So in other words, it isn't in T-Paw's hands . . . once the legal procedures are done . . . then he signs the form and the winner goes to DC.

[bygollymissmolly]

Actually, once the State of MN signs the certificate declaring Al Franken the winner, Pawlenty is bound to sign it. If he chooses not to, it will because he is allegiance to the Republican party is stronger than his allegiance to the people of MN.

[Hank10303]

Lets see if this republican governor is like all republicans - ANYTHING IN ORDER TO WIN

[jjgg5]

I'm sure the people of Minnesota don't appreciate having only half representation in the United States Senate as powerful Republicans of that state appear to want to delay (or, prevent) Al Franken's appointment at all costs. Michelle, Coleman, Pawlenty. I live in Ohio, but could someone inform me how to donate money to Minnesota's Democratic Party?

[VikingQuest]

Actually, it doesn't really matter to me. I'm from Minnesota and don't see anything different now then 6 months ago. Government spending a lot of money, banks getting bailouts, etc.

[Jane43]

It might not matter to you, but it matters to a lot of other people from Minnesota who expect full representation. Amy Klobuchar said in an interview on MSNBC yesterday that she's had to hire extra staff and is trying to keep up with concerns and helping her constituents. Those duties are ordinarily parceled out to both senators. There's a lot more to being a senator than signing a bill occasionally.

BTW, I've lived in Minnesota for over 65 years.

[Citizen54]

Do we really think a Republican governor, especially one being talked about as a candidate for the presidency, is going to give the OK to seat a Democrat?

[VikingQuest]

It isn't his choice, it's Minnesota election law.

[Doofus]

In most states, residents/voters would raise holy hell about this.

One day to carry out an election, six months to *TRY* to figure out
who won, and still no end in sight. No way to run a democracy.

[nicole473]

not true. read the full article.

[GlenRast]

Refusing would be grounds for a recall if state law allows them.

[roshni]

It's his job, not a choice he has.

[Yarrr]

Why does Norm Coleman hate the good people of Minnesota?

[mitsie]

Coleman only cares for Coleman, typical of all Republicans

[roshni]

He's a rethug. "Nuff said.

[sickupandfed]

Two Goopers downed with one stone. Now that's progress!

[pbarba1969]

After this is all said and done and Pawlenty rules against Franken, he will be lucky he would be elected dog catcher.

He is clearly putting the needs of the republican party ahead of the needs of the people of Minnestoa whoi are being denied their senate seat in Washington.

This is a clear example of what would have happened in 2000 if the Supreme Court would have sided with Al Gore. The Republicans would have fought it to the bitter end, and put party ahead of country like they are putting party ahead of their state...

[roshni]

I love the way this is turning out.
We will remember if Pawlenty does not seat Franken.

[Icantbelieveher]

And none of this will matter once Coleman goes on trial!

[hjfraser2002]

What is delaying that anyways?

[GlenRast]

They're being very careful to keep the GOP from claiming it's politically motivated.

[tiamarie]

IIRC, Coleman's trial was to start after the election. Now, after it is decided. Wonder why Coleman is pulling his stalling tactics? He's going down and he's just trying to delay the inevitable. He knows he's toast and his lawyers know he's toast, but the RNC is dragging this out (and paying Coleman's legal bills) to keep the Senate from having one more Democratic vote and Coleman is trying to save his a$$. Scams all around with the republicants. What's new?

[taricaziz]

Trial for what?

[Icantbelieveher]

In March 2007, Kazeminy began ordering the payments of corporate funds to companies and individuals who tendered no goods or services to DMT for the stated purpose of trying to financially assist United States Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota. In March 2007, Kazeminy telephoned B.J. Thomas, then DMT's Chief Financial Officer. In that conversation, Kazeminy told Mr. Thomas that "U.S. Senators don't make [expletive deleted]" and that he was going to find a way to get money to United States Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota and wanted to utilize DMT in the process.

Google it!

[igmond50]

The law should always prevail in these instances. If it's too slow, change the law. A choice not to use the law (Bush v Gore) is silly especially when you consider Gore claimed that is was for the good of the country to stop the effort. How stupid and self destructive was that?

[taricaziz]

Harry Reid must have told Gore what to do.

[SweetBabu]

How could the governor overrule the Supreme Court of the state?

[StephCaster]

Because Republicans will do anything to win, legal or not. They seem to be angling to get this to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has already once violated every principle and precident in U.S. government to abort the FL recount, and appoint King George. Given the chance, the Republican Supreme Court will do it again, no matter how tortured the logic required. (After all, Republicans love torture, and torturing logic is almost as gratifying to them as torturing human beings.)

[mommadona]

Yeah - that was what I was wondering..

What's up with that?
What authority would he have in his position?

[roshni]

He's a rethug. Rethugs think they can do whatever they want to avoid election results they don't like.

[Doofus]

Enough is enough. Really.

What is with you people of Minnesota that
you continue to tolerate this nonsense?
Are you all so far 'above average' that you
just don't care how idiotic you look to the
rest of US? Let's have some Righteous
Indignation (at least), please!

[unhhockey]

This is the same State that re-elected Michele Bachmann.

[Shashi0224]

Oh, I forgot that.......Wow, Michele Bachmann....that woman is really bonkers, it's downright frightening that she was re-elected.

[Lark817]

and Jessie Ventura

[Doofus]

This is the state that elected Humphrey, Mondale, Wellstone, ...
Ventura, Bachmann, Coleman. Obviously, something strange is
going on up there in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, yah sure, you betcha!

[GlenRast]

Bachman represents an area full of GOP freaks.

[janet1003mn]

The "state" did not "elect" Michele Bachmann. She is a representative, not a senator. U.S. Her district -- approximately 12% of Minnesota's total population -- elected her. As she barely eeked out a victory there, it would be more accurate to say she represents about 6% of the population, while the rest of her district writes to Keith Ellison (my rep, the first Muslim-American in Congress -- ever) when they have a problem.

Government 101, people. Try not to prove to the world that we (well, some of us anyway) have no idea how our OWN government is run and could barely locate our own states on an unmarked map.