For some Republicans with a vested interest in what happened in the ongoing Minnesota Senate race, a rejection by the state Supreme Court was not necessarily going to be the last word. Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, was reportedly behind a move to get Norm Coleman — who had already been rebuffed by a special three-judge panel of state justices — to take his case to the federal courts in the event the state Supreme Court turned him down. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele also endorsed that strategy.

But all that changed today. The court, in a unanimous decision, rejected Coleman's argument that previously rejected absentee ballots should be counted. The justices said Al Franken (D) won the election, and that the 238-day saga needed to come to an end.

Coleman agreed, conceding the election and congratulating Franken.

 

And the aforementioned Republicans got in line. Cornyn — who did his best to keep Democrats from reaching the magic number of 60 — acknowledged the obvious:

This has been a long process and while both sides would have preferred a speedier outcome, full, fair and free elections are what make our nation great. That's why I have so much respect for Norm Coleman. I've known Norm not just as a friend and colleague, but as a devoted public servant who recognized that this legal challenge was not just about him. It was about making sure no Minnesotan was disenfranchised in this election.

Throughout the last several months, Senate Republicans have made clear that the people of Minnesota, not politicians in Washington, should decide this election. Now that the courts have spoken, I join Norm in respecting that decision and moving forward to address the important issues facing our country.

But at the same time, Cornyn — perhaps trying to make do with what he had left — saw an opening:

The Democrats will now have 60 votes in the Senate. With their supermajority, the era of excuses and finger-pointing is now over. With just 59 votes, Senate Democrats in recent months have passed trillion-dollar spending bills, driven up America's debt, made every American taxpayer a shareholder in the auto industry and now want Washington to takeover America's health care system. It's troubling to think about what they might now accomplish with 60 votes.

Steele also saw the writing on the wall:

While I would have proudly stood behind Norm Coleman had he chosen to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, I know that his decision to withdraw from this race was not an easy one, but one that he felt was the best decision for the people of Minnesota. For the last six years, Norm represented the people of Minnesota with distinction, earning a much deserved reputation as one of the hardest-working members of Congress. I, on behalf of all Republicans, thank him for his service and will miss his leadership in Washington.

Franken is expected to be sworn in next week. There are indications that he will be placed on the Senate Judiciary Committee — in time for the confirmation hearings for Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

Tags: Washington Senators