Reax To Minnesota Court: WH 'Pleased,' Coleman Talks At 4 ET

Early reactions to the Minnesota Supreme Court's unanimous decision that Al Franken should be the next U.S. senator show that Democrats who live on Twitter are thrilled, many Minnesotans appear relieved, and the White House, according to press secretary Roberts Gibbs, is "pleased."

But no word yet from Norm Coleman (R), who has been thwarted once again by another legal ruling. Late word says he will have a statement at 3 p.m. Central time (4 p.m. Eastern).

Coleman emerged from the Nov. 4 election with a slight lead, but it soon disappeared. In fact, in the last recount, which the court agreed to and which was thought to help the GOP cause, Franken actually added to his lead. The last tally showed him ahead by 312.

All eyes are on two Republicans for the next move. One is Coleman, whose backers have urged him to appeal a negative ruling by going to the federal courts. The other is Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), whose job it is to certify the winner. Two days ago, on CNN -- as DNC press secretary Hari Sevugan helpfully reminds us -- Pawlenty said this:

I also expect [the Minn. Supreme Court] to give guidance and direction as to the certificate of election. I'm prepared to sign it as soon as they give the green light.

In the minds of many people, today's court ruling is that green light.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who doubles as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, congratulated Franken:

Senator-Elect Franken must be seated as soon as possible. The people of Minnesota rightfully elected Al Franken to serve in the Senate and there is far too much work to be done for the state and the nation to drag this process on any longer.

Today's ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court marks the end of the line for Norm Coleman's legal battle. For too long, Minnesotans have been denied their proper representation in Congress while Norm Coleman pursued his political ambitions. In light of today's decision, Norm Coleman should concede and Governor Pawlenty should sign the election certificate which Al Franken is entitled to, and which he pledged to do upon guidance from the court. Doing so will finally put this saga to an end and give Minnesotans their full voice in the U.S. Senate.

The news spread around the world as well. Seconds ago this e-mail arrived, from Junkie fan Mike Roark of Ansbach, Germany:

Thank you for posting this news. I've been waiting for this for a long time. I'm not that political, but this just got under my skin.

While we await GOP reaction, let's remind everyone of the meaning of Franken becoming the 60th vote for the Democrats (60 if you include the two Dem-leaning independents). It's simplistic to say that with 60 votes, Democrats can head off any Republican filibuster and pass whatever they want. Not every Democrat votes on a party line, as we've seen with Nebraska's Ben Nelson and others. Both Ted Kennedy (MA) and Robert Byrd (WV) have been ill and missed a considerable number of votes. Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut Democrat turned independent, is hardly a reliable vote on foreign policy issues.

Added to that calculation is the fact that the two moderate Republicans from Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, do break from the GOP now and then. Both are considered near certain to vote to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

So please, no simplistic analysis.

But boy, are the Democrats pleased.

It will be the first time since 1978 that any party had 60 votes. In '78, the Dems held 61 until they lost seats in that year's midterm elections.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is quoted in a Reuters story as saying that the pressure will now be on the Democrats to produce. "They will no longer be able to blame 'Republican obstructionism,' " Cornyn said.

Here's an excellent Q&A on Franken v. Coleman and what comes next from Bob Collins of Minnesota Public Radio.

We'll be back after Coleman's announcement.