# How's Al Franken's Senate bid going? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 12, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239 "2008-02-12T01:57:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 54
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1061 "2009-06-29T16:08:44Z")
One would… but then, one wouldn’t have expected this charade to drag on as long as it has, would one? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1062 "2009-06-30T18:09:09Z")
Order’s in … slam dunk for Franken! [http://www.courts.state.mn.us/opinions/sc/current/OPA090697-6030.pdf](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/opinions/sc/current/OPA090697-6030.pdf) [http://www.courts.state.mn.us/?page=230](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/?page=230) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1063 "2009-06-30T18:12:09Z")
> [@spiff](#): > > order’s in … Slam dunk for franken! > > [http://www.courts.state.mn.us/opinions/sc/current/opa090697-6030.pdf](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/opinions/sc/current/opa090697-6030.pdf) > > [http://www.courts.state.mn.us/?page=230](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/?page=230) Finally! ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1064 "2009-06-30T18:17:39Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > Order’s in … slam dunk for Franken! > > [http://www.courts.state.mn.us/opinions/sc/current/OPA090697-6030.pdf](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/opinions/sc/current/OPA090697-6030.pdf) > > [http://www.courts.state.mn.us/?page=230](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/?page=230) So, looking through it, I see that the PDF says, at the very end: > [@](#): > > 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. Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota. Does “is entitled … to receive the certificate of election” mean they’re “ordering” Pawlenty to sign it? Or will he be able to say he wasn’t **ordered** to sign it, so tough luck to Al? (His statements have always been to the effect that he will comply if ordered, haven’t they? Which kinda seemed to me like he’s trying to leave wiggle room. Hopefully I’m way off on this and it won’t matter in any case.) So has he been ordered to sign the certificate of election? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1065 "2009-06-30T18:29:32Z")
Sadly, I have no confidence that T-Paw _won’t_ feel empowered to weasel it that way. Can’t Franken now petition the Court to issue a direct order, though? ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1066 "2009-06-30T18:30:51Z")
I think “entitled under the law” means that the SC judges are saying that they have interpreted the law to mean that Franken gets his certificate … with the implication that if he doesn’t get a certificate, someone is not following the law. _I think._ ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1067 "2009-06-30T18:30:52Z")
Well, Pawlenty has said, prior to the decision, that he will sign it. But there are enough weasel words gflying around to make that a “wait until I see it” kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1068 "2009-06-30T18:36:02Z")
A ha! The last footnote of the order: > [@](#): > > The Clerk of Appellate Courts is directed to enter judgment in this appeal under Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 136.02 immediately upon the expiration of the time for filing a petition for rehearing provided in Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 140.01, if no petition has been filed. So, if T-Paw drags his feet, then a court clerk will do it for him! Slam dunk reaffirmed! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1069 "2009-06-30T18:36:36Z")
He’s been saying stuff like, “I won’t defy an order,” but I don’t believe he’s clearly stated that he will sign it without a direct and unambiguous ordfer. I do think Franken can ask for one, though, so it might be pointless for Pawlenty to try to be too cute about it. A few weeks ago, the rumors were flying that Coleman was out of money and wouldn’t appeal, but my suspicion then was that it was just his way of panhandling the party for more cash. I won’t relax until Franken is seated in the Senate Chamber. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1070 "2009-06-30T18:39:05Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I won’t relax until Franken is seated in the Senate Chamber. Harry Reid’s worst nightmare! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1071 "2009-06-30T18:48:21Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Grumble, grumble. Chuckle, chuckle. Gloat, gloat. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1072 "2009-06-30T18:52:39Z")
Was it unanimous or does the MSSC not publish dissenting opinions? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1073 "2009-06-30T18:53:16Z")
My WAG: Pawlenty will stall, saying he hasn’t been ordered to do anything. Franken will file papers requesting that the court order Pawlenty to certify. Pawlenty will certify when he sees that summary judgment on Franken’s behalf is imminent. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1074 "2009-06-30T18:55:07Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Was it unanimous or does the MSSC not publish dissenting opinions? Unanimous. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1075 "2009-06-30T18:56:45Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Chuckle, chuckle. Gloat, gloat. Amen, brother! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1076 "2009-06-30T18:57:12Z")
Technically, if the governor wishes, he can wait until the period to request a rehearing expires. That is ten days from the date of the filing of the SC’s opinion ([Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 140.01](http://www.courts.state.mn.us/rules/appellate/RCAP.htm#a14001)). At that point, the SC has ordered the clerk to enter judgment in the appeal. Since the appeal was from a determination in the favor of Senator-elect Franken, that would mean that the governor would have no further excuse, since a legally binding determination would be staring him in the face. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1077 "2009-06-30T18:58:58Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Was it unanimous or does the MSSC not publish dissenting opinions? The opinion is “per curiam”, which is fancy language meaning that no single justice is writing the opinion, but rather it is the opinion of the court in general. There was no dissent, so the result is unanimous. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1078 "2009-06-30T19:05:38Z")
We’re getting closer to having full representation of Minnesota. So how much does Coleman owe Franken now? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1079 "2009-06-30T19:07:00Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > We’re getting closer to having full representation of Minnesota. > > So how much does Coleman owe Franken now? Hell, if I were Amy Klobuchar I’d be suing Coleman for the doubled costs of being the sole Senate constituent-service office in the state for six months. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239/1080 "2009-06-30T19:07:45Z")
Fox’s headline will be " Franken’s Senate attempt brought to an end" [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-al-frankens-senate-bid-going/437239.md?page=55)