Congratulations, Minnesota.
 

You are no longer being taxed without your due full representation.

I didn't think Coleman had it in him to concede, but he surprised me.

Let's hope Franken does better than his critics think he will.

Does this mean 2009-15 will be The Al Franken Senate Term?

It's about fucking time. I am also kind of surprised Coleman decided not to appeal. I'm glad he decided to come out in favor of the people of Minnesota, instead of out of state Republican Party officials.

Even if he would have appealed further it was likely that Franken would have been seated. The Min. Governor said he would sign the certificate if the supreme court ordered him to. While the supreme court did not order him to it came pretty close to it saying that Franken was "entitled" to a certificate. If Coleman would have appealed Pawlenty would probably have signed the certificate anyway so not to hurt his 2012 Presidential run. In addition the supreme court likely would not have heard or ruled in favor of him even if they did take the case. Thus there was no motivation other than the filibuster for Coleman (unless he likes more bills).

I think the filibuster was the motivation for stretching it out this far. after all, the day after the election when Coleman was ahead, he said that Franken should withdraw from the <i>required by state law mandatory</i> recount to "let the healing process begin."

To display such hypocrisy when he's losing, especially when it's obvious even to my dog that Franken won, indicates ulterior motivation.

I suspect he'd have appealed to the US Supreme court, but as you suggested, Rekna, he's already massively in debt and I doubt the republican party is gonna foot the bill.

'bout time.

Welcome, Mr. Franken!

It's June 30th. He's about eight months too late to be able to claim he's doing ANYTHING in favor of the people of Minnesota.

So in recent years, Minnesota has voted for Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and Michelle Bachman. What the fuck is going on up there?

You have to be a bit crazy to live in a place as cold as MN...

I understand the temptation, but it's unfair to lump Franken in with Ventura and Bachman. Bachman is certifiably crazy, and Ventura is fairly eccentric, but Franken is a rather intelligent person, whatever you may think of his comedy or politics. Not only is he a Harvard graduate, but he graduated cum laude and got his degree in the relevant topic of political science. He's also a math geek, which I think we can all agree is something lacking in US government ;)

Seriously, I think Franken's going to be the most intelligent one in the place.

Bachman's crazy, but she appeals to the single issue voters who make up her district. I think most people in the state are ashamed of her.

Ventura was a better governor than Pawlenty is despite the fact that Ventura is and was a manchild.

Franken was honestly the better of the two options. I think he'll do just fine.

Sometimes people who aren't lawyers can make good politicians.

my comment was tongue-in-cheek

Ventura's actually quite smart

---------- Post added at 02:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 PM ----------

Ventura's actually quite smart, and many of his ideas were good ones. His problem was that he spent so much time alienating everyone by shooting off his mouth that no one was willing to cooperate with him, so he never really got much done.

Caligula sent a horse to the Senate. Minnesota is just sending part of the horse.