FINAL UPDATE: Coleman concedes! Pawlenty says he'll sign!

[1st UPDATE below: statement from Sen. Harry Reid]

Minn. rules for Franken in Senate fight



By BRIAN BAKST

The Associated Press

Tuesday, June 30, 2009; 2:18 PM



ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Supreme Court has 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 filibuster.



Coleman hasn't ruled out seeking federal court intervention.





Ken





UPDATE: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY

REID HAS ISSUED THIS STATEMENT --



I congratulate Senator-elect Al Franken, the next Senator from the state of Minnesota.



The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve. After all the votes have been counted and recounted, the Minnesota Supreme Court has made the final determination that Minnesotans have chosen Al Franken to help their state and our country get back on track.



The Senate looks forward to welcoming Senator-elect Franken as soon as possible. He will play a crucial role as we work to strengthen our economy, ensure all Americans can access and afford quality health care, make our country more energy independent, confirm the President’s outstanding nominee to the Supreme Court, and tackle the many other challenges we face.



I once again encourage Governor Pawlenty to respect the votes of his constituents and the decisions of his state’s highest court. He should put politics aside, follow his state’s laws and finally sign the certificate that will bring this episode to an end.

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By the way, the ruling unanimously rejected outright all of Coleman's claims, and that's with the two justices who had participated in the recount commission not participating. --

Unfortunately, the ruling doesn't seem to include the death penalty for Norm Coleman -- and Sen. John Cornyn and the rest of his election-stealing supporters -- for kidnapping the U.S. electoral system. Now the ball is in Governor Pawlenty's court, and he has indicated that he might actually be prepared to do his job certifying the election.