Pawlenty's Statement That He'll Certify Franken Doesn't Really Change Much
A lot of talk is going around about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R-MN) statement on CNN yesterday that he would sign a certificate of election for Al Franken. But in fact, nothing new was said here -- he reaffirmed stuff he's said before, that he'll sign a certificate under the orders of the state Supreme Court, but if a federal court intervenes to stop him then he will follow that order, too:
"Well, a federal court could stay or put a limit on or stop the effect of the state court ruling. If they chose, if they do that, I would certainly follow their direction," said Pawlenty. "But if that doesn't happen promptly or drags out for any period of time, then we need to move ahead with signing this, particularly if I'm ordered to do that by the state court."
The big question here is whether Pawlenty is playing a wink-wink, nudge-nudge of subtly encouraging such a federal challenge, or if he's simply saying that he'll follow court orders while also laying out the potential permutations that can happen. His tone in this particular interview maybe seemed a bit more in favor of the second option than last time. But there's only one way to find out what will actually happen.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
It is 'wink wink'. Pawlenty is clearly gearing up for a run for president and needs some cover to continue the republican denial of full representation for his state. And with Sam Alito as the supreme's circuit judge for Minnesota, he will likely get it.
Pawlenty has clearly given up on serving Minnesota for his presidential ambitions. His use of 'unallotments' to balance the budget flies in the face of checks and balances and is causing great suffering for people in the state. A small example, cuts make it impossible for localities to provide transportation for disabled people to get to doctor's appointments. This seizure of power needs more national attention.
June 29, 2009 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a no-brainer for Timmeh. More "wink-wink", which is all the leadership that asshat has ever shown.
Timmeh will be ordered by the MN SC to sign the certificate. He will say that he needs "a week" to study the opinion. This will give ample time for Norman Quimby to ask SCOTUS for an injunction against Timmeh signing the certificate; the justice responsible for MN, Alito, will gladly oblige.
Timmeh will say that he's only following orders, and will take "credit" for making sure the process was fair and that Franken from the Democrat party wasn't seated. He'll use it as a springboard for 2012, when the repubs will want someone boring.
Meantime, SCOTUS will take its own sweet time. And we'll still be looking for Harry Reid to grow a pair.
June 29, 2009 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
hear hear
Over the weekend, rec'd fundraising email from DSCC urging the need for even more Senate Seats
Same time heard Feinstein say she didn't care about all the health care piling on
I had to ask myself "What would it matter if they had 70 democrats?'
June 29, 2009 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
It depends on which Democrats. I certainly wouldn't shed a tear if Feinstein and the Nelson twins were replaced by Repukes.
June 30, 2009 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not going to go that far unless they were replaced by progressive republicans or at least moderate if there is such a thing anymore.
I have been calling Feinstein's office every day, letting her know that she better not have aspirations to the Governorship as she will lose.
I hate the bitch worse than I hate Palin.
June 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pawlenty will do what the courts tell him to do. That is why as I said from the day Franken requested it, that a mandamus from the MSCT is the most important part of Franken's appellate brief
Nothing new perhaps (though I am not sure that Pawlenty has ever been so unequivocal) but significant nonetheless
Soon Eric may be out of work
June 29, 2009 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's trying to have it both ways. He goes on a Sunday blabberfest, and appears to be somewhat reasonable. But he'll drag his feet just a tiny bit, and Coleman will have the appeal filed lickety split, and voila! To everyone else, he'll appear both reasonable and intent on following the law!
June 29, 2009 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Weasel.
June 30, 2009 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink