Minnesotans have come to the conclusion that Norm Coleman lost the state’s Senate race to Al Franken, and that he should soon concede.



A new Minneapolis Star-Tribune poll out today shows that 64 percent of voters believe that Coleman should accept the recount trial’s ruling that he lost the election by 312 votes. Only 28 percent of voters believe his appeal to the state Supreme Court – which leading Senate Democrats have been willing to grant him – is appropriate.



Nearly three-quarters of Minnesotans (73 percent) believe that Coleman should concede if he loses his appeal at the state Supreme Court. And only a narrow majority (57 percent) of Republicans support Coleman’s appeal to the state Supreme Court.



A second poll conducted by a Democratic firm shows similar majorities calling on Coleman to concede – with 58 percent would raise serious doubts” towards GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty if he refuses to sign an election certificate assuming Coleman loses his appeal to the state Supreme Court.



That’s a sharp shift in public opinion from January, when Franken took the lead in the recount. Back then, a Research 2000/Daily Kos poll showed 53 percent of voters supporting Coleman’s contest of the race – or at least weren’t opposed to it.



Now Minnesota voters – including many Republicans -- believe Franken was fairly elected as the state’s second senator, and should be sworn in as soon as possible.

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