Guest Blogged by Ernest A. Canning
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) informed MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell:
Pawlenty’s remarks are consistent with MN Election Law as interpreted [PDF] by the MN Supreme Court in Franken v. Pawlenty. (The latest MN Supreme Court action in Coleman v. Franken was recently covered here). MN law prevents either Governor Pawlenty (R) or Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (D) from signing the certificate once an election contest has commenced and before it is completed in state court. It is also consistent with the legal argument presented by Al Franken in his MN Supreme Court brief [PDF] that the MN Supreme Court should order the Governor and Secretary of State to perform what amounts to a “ministerial duty” to sign and countersign the certification of election upon the completion of the state court process. This statement follows, within one day, Pawlenty’s announcement that he would not seek a third term as Governor.
[Hat-tip BRAD BLOG commenter ‘FreedomOfInformationAct’]UPDATE 6/4/09: Roll Call now reports that Coleman also may be ready to throw in the towel if he loses at the MN Supremes: “Sources close to Coleman say the former Senator would likely give up his legal battle and accept defeat if the Minnesota Supreme Court decides in Franken’s favor. That’s because Coleman anticipates that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) would ultimately sign Franken’s certification papers.”
Wow, he’s going to follow the law! Way to go T-Paw!
I’m amazed that people think that it’s news when a politician says that they’re going to comply with their job and do what is required of them in their official capacity. As a MN’er, I’m relieved that this prima donna is not going to run for another term…good riddance to bad rubbish.
News Roundup for 6/5/09
Norm Coleman, shown updating his YouFace
-Headline of the day-
“Coleman says conservatives need to compete on the — ‘Ethernet’.”
Speak of the devil, huh? Just yesterday I wrote that Norm Coleman’s fight against Al Franken looks to be pretty much done and here comes Norm to demonstrate why. Speaking at the Conservative Heartland Leadership Conference in St. Louis, Norm told the crowd that Republicans need to get hip and savvy to the stuff the kids use these days — like the “ethernet,” which is the cat’s pajamas.
“In the end, we need to compete, as I’ve said before, we need to compete in each and every kind of forum,” he said. “And whether it’s on the ground traditionally, or today it’s in — it’s in the ethernet. It’s in the — you know, it’s online…” Norm then went on to talk about all the Facetubes and Tweetlebooks and Webbie Logs just waiting out there on the interwebs for Republican input (“input” being hippity-hoppity slang for leaving “SHUT UP, COMMIE!” in comment threads at Webbie Logs and News Aggravator sites with your netputer).
Not since Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens explained that the intertubes wasn’t a big truck has a Republican shown such a keen understanding of the technological challenges facing today’s GOP.
Raw Story writer John Byrne makes a good point in comparing Coleman and Stevens; “Maybe there’s a common theme here: If you don’t understand what the Internet is, you’re not going to remain in office.”
So all you Republicans out there, learn how to update your MyFace and check your Twitterlinks. Otherwise, you’re outta here. (Raw Story)
http://tibu2.blogspot.com/2009/06/news-roundup-for-6509.html
watch the video of norm ‘loser’coleman speaking out to the religious nutjobs on the right.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/06/05/coleman-ethernet/#comments
Time will tell just how vacuous Minnesotans are; had this happened in California the outcry would have escalated into protests and calls for impeachement or recall of such a lock step spineless governor. For all his mistakes and faults at least Governor Schwarzenegger is a Republican we can see as a man that abides by his own instincts and does not do the bidding of the GOP when ordered to do so. I hope Pawlenty gets nominated as the GOP candidate for president in 2012; this GOP talking point drone is the poster boy for all the ills of the GOP. He’d be the perfect candidate.
Election Law Experts Agree: Norm Coleman Doesn’t Have A Prayer
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23434.html
Norm Coleman raises $140,000 for progressives — time for a knock out punch?
by AdamGreen
Share this on Twitter – Norm Coleman raises $140,000 for progressives — time for a knock out punch? Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 11:16:36 AM PDT
Ladies and gentleman…Norm Coleman’s insistence on being a sore loser has now raised over $140,000 to help progressives defeat Republicans in 2010.
Thanks so much to the many Kossacks who’ve supported the PCCC and Democracy for America’s “Dollar a Day to Make Norm Go Away” campaign.
If this were a boxing match, it appears Norm Coleman is on the ropes:
Roll Call reports that we may now be entering a truly crucial phase in the seemingly never-ending saga of the 2008 Minnesota Senate election — indeed, it might actually be ending fairly soon, if Norm Coleman doesn’t have the heart to keep going.
The MN Supreme Court will rule within a week or two.
This is the moment of truth. Either we lay the pressure on thick now and get Coleman to concede when the ruling comes, or he appeals again — keeping Al Franken out of the Senate for potentially months more.
It’s time for a knock out punch.
Can you help us reach $150,000 by Monday?
On Monday, we’ll be taking our message directly to Coleman’s DC funders!
AdamGreen’s diary :: ::
Back in Round 6 of the fight, when we were only at $86,000, local Minnesotans made sure Norm Coleman directly got the message that he was hurting Republicans every day he stayed in the race.
To the right is the video of Coleman receiving a big check written out from him to progressives.
Our campaign’s generated a ton of national news (NY Times, Politico, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, etc.) which Coleman’s DC funders would have to try hard to miss.
But on Monday, we’ll making sure they hear directly just how much they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they encourage Coleman to keep going.
$150,000 is a nice round number that they’ll have to take notice of…can you help us make it there? Help throw the knock-out punch…
Comments
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/5/739202/-Norm-Coleman-raises-$140,000-for-progressivestime-for-a-knock-out-punch
Coleman lost, told ya!
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/47594802.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsA