Franken Finally, Officially, Wins!

Talk about bad sports. Every Republican in the Minnesota government, along with a great many in the rest of the country need to go back to primary school, to learn what ‘being a good sport’ and ‘losing gracefully’ means.

Over eight months ago, Mr. Franken won the election, and yet the opponent in the race would not concede, dragging out the proceedings, and, in the process, depriving the state of one of its senators. Many people I have spoken to over the last few months simply thought that the senator that was serving previously would continue, but there was no provision for that. The law never made arrangements for long winded and testy feuds, by people, including the governor of the state, refusing to accept the will of the people.

from Huff Po

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that Democrat Al Franken be certified as the winner of the state’s long-running Senate race.

The high court rejected a legal challenge from Republican Norm Coleman, whose options for regaining the Senate seat are dwindling.

Justices said Franken is entitled to the election certificate he needs to assume office. With Franken and the usual backing of two independents, Democrats will have a big enough majority to overcome Republican filibusters.

Coleman accepted the loss shortly after the decision was announced, saying he had few regrets.

“The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results,” Coleman told reporters outside his St. Paul home.

“In these tough times we all need to focus on the future, and the future is that we have a new United States senator,” Coleman said.

Franken graciously embraced his victory at a press conference with his wife by his side.

On other sites, the news was reported a bit differently, showing that the governor, Tim Pawlenty, would not sign unless forced to do so. What kind of behavior is that? I certainly hope that this is widely reported, as anyone who cannot act in an adult fashion certainly should not be, in any manner, considered as a presidential contender. With luck, his current term will be the end of his political career.

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