How's Al Franken's Senate bid going?

[Squink]

PAWLENTY: Well, as your viewers may know, Minnesota law does allow the governor to sign an election certificate until the state court process is complete. It is not yet complete, but it may be about to be complete.

And, when it is, and they direct to sign the certificate, I’m going to sign it. There’s not going to be some undue delay or the like. But I’m going to follow the direction of the courts in that regard. And we’re going to have a decision here in the coming weeks

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525101,00.html

‘He will be done’: Coleman confidants say he’ll stop at state courts

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman won’t take his election contest to federal courts. That’s the direction unnamed Coleman confidants say the former senator is leaning, according to Roll Call. “He will be done,” one GOP source said.

Senate Republicans are still urging Coleman to fight on, even if the Minnesota Supreme Court rules in favor of Democrat Al Franken.

Roll Call says Coleman still staunchly believes in his cause but might not have the energy to carry it beyond a final setback in Minnesota courts.

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

Hrm…Obviously “energy” is code for “cash,” but I wonder if Norm is serious about quitting or if it’s a strategy to hold the GOP up for more “energy.”

He’s also got the FBI investigation, though. Maybe some of the party has gotten wind that Norm might not be able to slip that chain so easily, and maybe they’re starting to think maybe it’s better to start backing away from him.

The fact that T-Paw is also telegraphing his intention to give up the fight is a good indication Coleman probably really does intend to quit, but I still don’t feel comfortable turning my back on either of them.

[jayjay]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

but I still don’t feel comfortable turning my back on either of them.

Hell, no! With those teeth, Coleman could hamstring you in a second!

[elucidator]

Oh, heck, go ahead and turn your back. Just don’t bend over.

[gonzomax]

Net says Coleman is about to end it. I believe it was in Huffington.

[Early_Out]

A link: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_140/news/35511-1.html

Key phrase:

Sources close to Coleman say the former Senator would likely give up his legal battle and accept defeat if the Minnesota Supreme Court decides in Franken’s favor. That’s because Coleman anticipates that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) would ultimately sign Franken’s certification papers.

[Sitnam]

And why wouldn’t he? Pawlenty has recently said he won’t seek another term as Minnesota governor, likely for a presidential bid in 2012. Pawlenty is obeying Minnesota law by allowing this thing to be dragged out in state court even if it also happens to help his party, the Minnesota SC has now decided, as far as the state is concerned the issue is over, it’d be political poison to not sign Franken’s certificate, regardless of whether or not Coleman appeals.

And Coleman doesn’t have a fucking prayer to become the next Minnesota governor.

[Northern_Piper]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

He’s also got the FBI investigation, though. Maybe some of the party has gotten wind that Norm might not be able to slip that chain so easily, and maybe they’re starting to think maybe it’s better to start backing away from him.

I’ve not been following this closely. What’s the FBI issue?

[The_Understander]

@Northern_Piper

I’ve not been following this closely. What’s the FBI issue?

Oh, Norm’s just kickin’ back.

[Dangerosa]

@Sitnam

And Coleman doesn’t have a fucking prayer to become the next Minnesota governor.

Chris has a shot.

[Beadalin]

Expected but still so very nice:
Minn. court orders Coleman to pay $95K to Franken

[Fish]

That’s just incentive for him to appeal further.

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

This could very well be the break the McCain campaign was waiting for.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

I suspect the last surviving member of the Dewey '48 campaign committee will also be highly encouraged (if he ever wakes up from his nap).

[MovieMogul]

From Salon:

One thing the Coleman camp had asked for is that the court stay the charges until the Minnesota Supreme Court, which is currently considering the case, weighs in. But instead, the court wants the money paid immediately, something a Coleman spokesman says isn’t going to happen. That means the former senator will be charged interest for every day the payment is late.

A class act all the way.

[appleciders]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

This could very well be the break the McCain campaign was waiting for.

snerk

[MeDrewNotYou]

Coleman: It’s Not About Me

He’s even more of an asshole than I thought. And I didn’t exactly have a high opinion of him in the first place. What the hell is wrong with you Minnesota, that you even elected this douche once?

[jayjay]

@MeDrewNotYou

What the hell is wrong with you Minnesota, that you even elected this douche once?

If Wellstone hadn’t gone down in that airplane, Coleman wouldn’t have come within sniffing distance of DC. It took the death of his real opponent and a right-wing noise machine distortion of what happened at the memorial service for that opponent to get him elected.

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

The other guy was dead.

[jayjay]

@Diogenes_the_Cynic

The other guy was dead.

Didn’t stop Carnahan. Then again, the live guy was Ashcroft in that case…