Franken: "Time To Bring This State Together"
In a victory speech after the MN Supreme Court announced him the winner of the state's '08 SEN contest, entertainer Al Franken (D) told supporters outside his Minneapolis home that it's time for the state unite and that he's grateful for the patience of voters.
"I am so excited to finally get to work for the people of Minnesota," he said.
Franken said he received a "very gracious call" from ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R) and that the two "agreed that it is time to bring this state together."
"Over the last eight months," Franken continued, "Minnesotans have earned the right to take pride in the transparency and the thoroughness of our process and in the integrity of our election officials."
With wife Franni by his side, Franken said he is "thrilled and honored" by the faith voters have placed in him and humbled by the responsibilities of the office. Though Franken will provide Dems with a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, he said his priority is to represent Minnesotans.
"The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator," he said. "I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota, and that's how I'm going to do this job. I promise to do my best, to work hard, to stand on principle when I believe I must, and yes, to compromise when I believe that that is in the best interest of the people of Minnesota."