Reply #9: From MN DUer Mr Ed (it's nice to hear from DUers who live in MN about this):

[elocs]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3847287&mesg_id=3848227

Mister Ed Donating Member (859 posts) Fri Apr-24-09 10:46 PM
Response to Reply #36
49. MN DUer here

I've been following this closely since November 5th. I can't claim that makes me someone who knows what's going on, but I'll give you my take on it.

I think the reason the MN Supreme Court allowed Coleman such a long time to prepare for the hearing is simply that he asked them to. I think they would have done the same for Franken if he had asked. Why? Because this is such an important matter, and they want to make sure no one has cause for complaint - at least not legal complaint. The three-judge panel allowed Coleman five weeks to try to make his case. They never once asked him to hurry it up, because they wanted to make sure he couldn't claim on appeal that he had not been given due process. I think the MN Supreme Court is thinking along those same lines.

What you say is true. The MN Supreme Court is widely viewed as being fair, judicious, and nonpartisan. I anticipate that they will rule in favor of Franken, because Coleman simply doesn't have a case. I also predict that they will do Governor Pawlenty a big favor and order him to issue an election certificate. That would get him off the hook with the GOP ("Hey, my hands are tied!").

It's become crystal clear to me that Coleman is doing all he legally can do to delay the inevitable seating of the winner of this close election. The fact that the courts have accommodated him does not mean they're complicit. He's operating within his legal rights, and the courts are upholding the law.

Had the courts moved as fairly and deliberately in Bush v. Gore in the 2000 election as the MN courts have done in this election, then Al Gore would have been the president. If Florida's election system was as good as that of MN, then Gore clearly would have been declared the winner there. This will be done in June when the MN Supreme court declares Franken to be the winner and orders that he be certified the winner. Pawlenty will have political cover and have no choice but to certify him and Al Franken will go to Washington.

I am certain that most voters in MN want Franken to be seated as we do. It's their system, their state and if they can endure this to its conclusion we should be able to endure also.