Franken v Coleman Drags on. Where are the Democratic Complaints of Obstruction?

Sen. Al Franken proved to Al Gore, John Kerry and all the other cowardly Democrats, the ones who gave up on their contested election results too early, what could happen if you stick to your guns and challenge your Republican opponent. The GOP may not have a viable platform anymore, but they know how to play the game and win elections.

Amazingly, without a peep from the Democrats in the Senate, Republicans are holding up the Franken seat to take away that incredibly important 59th vote. Complain for gods sake. For purely political purposes, Republicans are trying to hold up the Democratic agenda. It's true, they won't be able to argue against a Democratic election challenge in the future without looking like complete hypocritical idiots, but that has never stopped them.

Here's Chris Matthews with the story:



Update Thursday 4-2, according to the LA Times:
GOP rival Coleman says if he loses he'll appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court. And if he loses there, many expect he'll continue to challenge the election all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Which means that Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty ... may soon have a delicate political decision to make.

If Franken wins the recount, Pawlenty could (1) sign the election certificate that will allow Democrats in Washington to seat Franken (remember Illinois Democrat Roland Burris?), or (2) withhold the certificate while Coleman challenges the election.

If he signs the certificate, Pawlenty would give Democrats their 59th vote in the Senate. But the governor is up for reelection in 2010, and this option might be more popular with mainstream voters. And Pawlenty has shown himself to be a pragmatist. Just Wednesday, he and Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle of neighboring Wisconsin announced a unique plan for the two states to share services, like hunting licenses and Internet contracts, that could save both states $10 million each.

If he doesn't sign the certificate, Pawlenty would please Republicans.

Wednesday, a three-judge state panel decreed that no more than 400 absentee ballots can be reviewed. This was good news for Democrat Franken, who in the current recount leads by 225 votes.