The Never-Ending Coleman-Franken Saga

There are lots of new developments in the Coleman-Franken race? Could it really be over soon, or are they just teasing us?

Norm Coleman’s name is being mentioned for the governor’s race, now that Pawlenty has announced he’s not seeking a 3rd term (and is probably running for president).

What interest Coleman might have took immediate center stage after Pawlenty’s announcement, along with speculation about whether Coleman’s extended push in the ongoing Senate race against DFLer Al Franken might work against him politically.

David Strom, an influential conservative and senior policy fellow at the Minnesota Free Market Institute, said that the governor’s office would be an “attractive prospect” for Coleman but that the former U.S. senator would face a bruising challenge for the Republican nomination.

Daily Kos also reports that everyone’s favorite kooky conservative, Michele Bachmann is being mentioned for the governor’s race. It’s definitely one to watch!

Are Republicans signaling an end? Pawlenty said he’d sign the election certificate if ordered to by Minnesota’s Supreme Court, unless a federal court decides to intervene. Pawlenty was interviewed by Neil Cavuto:

“So you could be signing a certificate that would turn that Senate seat over to the Democrat Al Franken?” Cavuto asked. “And that would probably not suit you well.”

“Well, I hope not, but you know I have to follow the law,” Pawlenty responded. “You know, Neil, if the Minnesota Supreme Court says, ‘You sign the certificate’ — and there’s not an appeal or some other contrary direction from a federal court — you know, that’s my duty.”

RSCC Chair John Cornyn is now indicating that the race could be over soon:

The head of the Senate GOP’s campaign committee said Wednesday that he would not press Republican Norm Coleman to mount an appeal in the federal court system if the Minnesota Supreme Court rules that Democrat Al Franken won their Senate race.

“I think it’s entirely up to him,” said John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee … Cornyn said Wednesday that he was “not in the position to predict what Sen. Coleman will do because he’s undecided” but that the NRSC would continue to support Coleman as long as he wishes to continue his legal challenge.

“His hope is that he’s the winner in the Minnesota Supreme Court . . . so I don’t know what happens after that,” Cornyn said. The court heard oral arguments in the case June 1.

Previously, Cornyn has said it could take years before the race was resolved. The possibility of Coleman running for governor certainly changes the incentives. Coleman will want this to be over as soon as possible if he’s going to raise money and repair his reputation.