In his first visit to the Capitol since being certified the winner of the '08 MN SEN contest, Sen.-elect Al Franken (D) struck a solemn tone, de-emphasizing his role in providing the Dems with a filibuster-proof majority and instead reassuring Minnesotans that he's focused on representing their needs.
"A lot has been made of this number 60," Franken said. "The number I'm focused on is the number two. I see myself as the second senator from the state of Minnesota."
Joined by an equally-staid Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid, who repeatedly called Franken, the comedian and ex.-SNLer, a "hard worker" and "a smart guy who is serious about issues," Minnesota's soon-to-be-junior senator said that he intends to "work day and night" on behalf of the people of Minnesota "to make sure that our kids have a great future and that America's best days lay ahead."
Franken said Minnesotans are "very practical people" who "want to make sure that the work we do here in the Senate makes sense, and that the decisions we make for the future have a strong return on investment." He listed a number of issues, including health care reform, energy policy and education, as his top priorities.
In introducing the Senate's newest Dem, Reid contrasted his own "hectic race," which "took six weeks before the results were in," to Franken's, which "took eight months." And he slipped in a reassurance -- as well as a warning -- to Senate GOPers worried about the new Dem majority.
"Democrats aren't looking to Senator Franken's election as an opportunity to ram legislation through this body," Reid said. "In turn, Senate Republicans must understand that Senator-Elect Franken's election does not abdicate from them the responsibilities to govern."
Franken will be sworn in tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., escorted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and ex.-VP Walter Mondale. Per custom, the event will be followed by a re-enactment in the Old Senate Chamber.
Franken's office will be in the Hart Building; and the Pioneer Press is reporting that he'll hire a staff of at least 26 people.
After the presser, Franken spokesperson Jess McIntosh told reporters that Franken has not spoken to ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R) since their "very gracious" phone call last week.
McIntosh added that Franken's daughter, Thomasin, a teacher, will be relocating to Washington soon in search of a teaching job.
(FELICIA SONMEZ)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) signed the election certificate last night that officially makes Dem Al Franken MN's second U.S. senator. It was done, the AP reports, "with little fuss."
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."
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) says he will certify Al Franken (D) as the winner of the '08 MN SEN contest:
"The Minnesota Supreme Court has today addressed the issues surrounding the accuracy and integrity of our election system during the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota. In light of that decision and Senator Coleman's announcement that he will not be pursuing an appeal, I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law.
"I would like to thank Senator Coleman for his service. As state solicitor general, Mayor of Saint Paul and United States Senator, he has been an extraordinary leader and public servant for Minnesota.
"I also want to congratulate Al Franken and wish him well as he serves the people of Minnesota."
The WH waited until after ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R) conceded to issue a statement congratulating Sen.-elect Al Franken (D).
Pres. Obama: "I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century."
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) today ended his '08 re-election bid after a pricey eight-month legal fight against Dem Al Franken.
"I will abide by its result," Coleman said of the MN Supreme Court decision issued earlier this afternoon. "I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States senator, Al Franken," he added, noting that he had called the ex-SNL star to wish him well and concede.
Coleman said he's "forever grateful and humbled that the people of Minnesota have given me the honor to represent them." He said that times are challenging and that he "never believed my service is irreplaceable."
"We all need to focus on the future and the future today is that we have a new United States senator," he said.
Coleman also thanked Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and her staff for shouldering the burden over the last six months of representing the state without a partner in the Senate. He called Klobuchar "an extraordinary public servant."
"I don't reach this point with any big regrets," Coleman addedd.
His future, including a potential gubernatorial bid but, he said, "that's a subject for another day."
Coleman said his only focus now is whether he can catch some fish this summer.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Continue reading "Coleman Concedes " »
The MN Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in the MN SEN contest this afternoon, ruling that entertainer Al Franken (D) should be certified the winner of the Nov. '08 Senate race.
In a 5-0 decision, the court rejected ex-Sen. Norm Coleman's (R) argument that flaws in Election Day vote-counting violated due process and the constitutional guarantee to equal protection.
"Because we conclude that appellants have not shown that the trial court's findings of fact are clearly erroneous or that the court committed an error of law or abused its discretion, we affirm," the judges wrote in the decision. "... We affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled ... to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota."
National Republicans are saying quietly that the decision likely marks the end of the eight-month recount and legal process that has kept a pivotal Senate seat vacant. If Franken is certified, the Dems will have a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, giving the party -- and the Obama adminstration -- a critical advantage in pushing sweeping energy and health care initiatives, among other preferred legislation.
"I congratulate Senator-elect Al Franken, the next Senator from the state of Minnesota," said Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid in a statement. "The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve. ... The Senate looks forward to welcoming Senator-elect Franken as soon as possible.
Reid urged MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) to certify Franken as the contest's winner. Pawlenty, as he considers his own political future and a possible '12 presidential bid, has said recently that he will abide by the decision of the state's highest court.
"I once again encourage Governor Pawlenty to respect the votes of his constituents and the decisions of his state's highest court," Reid added. "He should put politics aside, follow his state's laws and finally sign the certificate that will bring this episode to an end."
More than 2.9M Minnesotans cast ballots in the November general election, including approximately 300K who voted or attempted to vote by absentee ballot. At the end of November, the State Canvassing Board issued a report showing Coleman with a 206-vote edge, less than one-half of one percent of the total. After a recount, however, the advantage swung to Franken, who had a 312-vote lead, a measure that a three-judge panel affirmed in April. It is that count that the state's highest court today upheld.
Coleman has indicated a willingness to push the matter in federal court, but it seems the appetite among national Republicans for a prolonged battled has soured. Attentions are beginning to turn to the '10 midterm contests.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), chairman of the NRSC, has not yet issued a statement on the decision. But sources say privately the MN Supreme Court ruling will likely spell the end of the fight for Coleman, who must consider his career options -- including a possible bid for MN governor -- when he weighs how long to fight.
Pawlenty, in an interview with On Call today before the ruling was issued, said he was "hopeful" the state Supreme Court ruling would fall to Coleman, but that his future is bright regardless.
"He certainly would be a great governor," Pawlenty said. "I'm not endorsing anybody for governor because there's about ten Republicans running, and they're all my friends. ... That process will have to work itself out. I'm not sure Norm has expressed an interest in running for governor, but if he became governor, he'd be a good one."
Meanwhile, Coleman and Franken will hold press availabilities later this afternoon.
Loyola Law School prof. Richard Hasen, who specializes in election law and has been following the Coleman-Franken case closely, told On Call that the decision was "what we expected it was going to be." As for Coleman's next step, Hasen said there "will be pressure on him to concede."
Hasen said that Coleman has a 10-day window within which to either petition for a re-hearing with the State Supreme Court -- a move which Coleman likely won't take due to the slim chance for success -- or to ask for a stay of judgment with the SCOTUS. That request would be made to the designated justice for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Justice Samuel Alito, who could then likely refer it to the full court. After the 10-day window, the MN Supreme Court's decision becomes final.
"Even putting aside the political implications of intervening in the election," Hasen said, "the legal arguments Coleman made were given a fair airing. His main argument relied on a pretty expansive reading of Bush v. Gore, and that's a case the U.S. Supreme Court has not touched with a ten-foot pole."
(FELICIA SONMEZ)
Norm Coleman will hold a media avail at his St. Paul home at 4 p.m. ET, and Dem Al Franken will address reporters on the steps of his Minneapolis abode at 5:15 p.m. ET.
Eight months after the '08 election, will these events mark the last dueling pressers between the rivals?
We think so. GOPers are quietly saying this is the end of the road. Especially with a unanimous decision.
No word yet from NRSC Chair John Cornyn.
DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez says MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) should "do the right thing, follow the law" and certify Dem Al Franken's victory.
"Congratulations to Senator-elect Franken for today's courtroom victory affirming his electoral victory. As we've seen over the past 238 days, no matter how many times Norm Coleman goes to court, the result of the election never changes: Al Franken earned more votes than Norm Coleman. Al Franken was elected to the Senate and he ought to be able to get to work for the people of Minnesota. We've always said that Norm Coleman deserved his day in court, and he got eight months. Now we expect Governor Pawlenty to do the right thing, follow the law, and sign the election certificate. From health care to the Supreme Court to getting our economy moving again, the challenges facing us are complex and we need Al Franken in the Senate. In this historic and urgent moment in our history, Minnesotans have gone long enough without full representation. Al Franken will be an (sic) critical voice on the issues before us and it's time to let him get to work."
(Star Tribune photo)
Decision was 5-0 in favor of Dem Al Franken over GOPer Norm Coleman in the MN Senate race, according to sources. More to come ...
