I remember back in early January, when people were debating just when we'd seat our newest Senator from the state of Minnesota. And most wanted to see Reid seat Franken immediately. At the time, I knew this was going to be a drawn out process, and figured that April 1st would be the target date until we officially have a Senator Franken.

After all available votes are counted, and appeals heard in the Minnesota courts, I don't see any reason for Senate Democrats to wait any longer to attempt to swear in Franken. Let the Republicans "go to war" and let the entire country watch a marginalized political party hold its collective breaths and throw a temper tantrum over a lost election. If Pawlenty won't officially certify the results, go to the voters of Minnesota and let them know how their Governor places the partisan interests on the national Republican party over the interests of their own state in terms of representation and a voice in the Senate during a time of unquestioned economic turmoil.

This is an easy one. Don't let them stall "months" or "years". Let the process run it's course, which is currently is, and if Pawlenty wont acknowledge the results and tries to defer to the national party attempt to contest a decided election at the Supreme Court, put the screws to him. Don't let them eat up half a year or more just because they dislike Al Franken and take his election as a personal insult to them.

I think it would be optimistic to assume that Pawlenty will sign the certificate of election in less than several more months. The game is obvious, the damage is real, the question is, "What will the Senate Democrats do about it?" We all know that they are remarkably weak as a group, and that they are led weakly by man unwilling to find or unable to use the power of his office. Failing a more muscular performance, we will see the signature issues of the Obama Presidency resolved in favor of the status quo.

My partners mother, a life long Republican who has held fundraisers in her home for him and others Republicans, now wants nothing to do him, and wishes she had done nothing for him in the past, and told the tele-fundraiser they would get no money from her. She wants her second Senator even if it is Franken.

So please Norm, keep this up. Perhaps there won't be a fundraiser left for the Republicans in MN. Sounds good to me!

Oh Timmy, we're being a little disingenuous now, aren't we?

A "few more months" would imply that this thing might go on beyond a state appeals process. I think you know as well as anyone that if you don't sign the certification before Norm takes this thing to the SCOTUS, you'll be joining him in the ruins of both your political ambitions.

It seems that Minnesota law allows for the citizens of Minnesota to recall the Governor. I propose that Democrats organize at the grass roots level (you know the party is too spineless to do so itself) and initiate a recall of Governor Pawlenty. So long as he refuses to certify the election, the recall effort should proceed. Let the politicians know that two can play the blackmail game, and the people don't need the party to exercise their power.

If it does take years, and extends into the subsequent Senate term, what would happen if, finally, Franken was declared the winner?