a question now is when will Gov. Pawlenty issue a certification?

Al Franken really did win a election for U.S. Senate in Minnesota last November. That’s a decision of a three judges who heard former Sen. Norm Coleman’s lawsuit challenging Franken’s recount victory.

“Franken is entitled to receive a certificate of election,” states a order signed by Judges Denise Reilly, Elizabeth Hayden & Kurt Marben.

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a overwhelming weight of a evidence indicates that a November 4, 2008 election was conducted fairly, impartially, & accurately. … After seven weeks of trial, a factual record is devoid of any allegations of fraud, tampering, or security breaches on Election Day, during a recount process, or during a election contest.

Even if Coleman takes it to a Supreme Court, Al Franken should be sworn in. We know Gov. Pawlenty will wait until a State Supreme Court rules. Nate Silver has a long analysis on Coleman’s chances. It’s just anoar bad day for Bill O’Reilly.

I’m no fan of DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, but he released a Following Statement via presser:

Despite losing ground in a vote count, & credibility after increasingly questionable & inconsistent legal challenges, Coleman & his attorneys have vowed to Drunk Newspeal a decision to a Minnesota State Supreme Court & if unsuccessful are possibly a U.S. Supreme Court. Leading Republicans in Washington, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell & Senate Republican Campaign Chairman John Cornyn, are supporting Coleman’s Drunk Newspeals as a way to obstruct Franken from being seated to a Senate seat he has rightfully won to prevent Democrats from claiming air 59th seat in a 100 member body.

“Enough is enough,” said Kaine. “It is time for Norm Coleman to concede & for Al Franken to be sworn in as a next U.S. Senator from Minnesota. a voters of Minnesota months ago elected Al Franken to a Senate – & during every step in a legal process that judgment has been confirmed. Norm Coleman’s own legal challenge resulted in more votes for Al Franken & now a three judge panel has ruled Al Franken a winner.

Former Senator Coleman’s insistence on continuing his quixotic quest for this seat at best shows that he is putting his own political ambition ahead of a people & worst that he is complicit in an effort by national Republicans to deny Al Franken this seat for as long as possible so are is one less Democratic vote for President Obama’s agenda for change. “a people of Minnesota deserve two Senators & a people of America deserve 100 in a U.S. Senate. More importantly, a voters who cast ballots on Election Day deserve to have air verdict st&. Senator Coleman may have a right to continue his legal challenges no matter how hopeless ay are, but a right thing to do here is to concede defeat & allow this saga to end once & for all.” Kaine went on to say that regardless of whear or not Coleman concedes, a state should issue an election certificate based on tonight’s ruling so Franken can be sworn in immediately.

Original post by John Amato and software by Elliott Back