President Obama needs Al Franken’s vote in the Senate. With the Norm-Coleman-as-sore loser meme gaining traction, Democrats should go on the offensive. Ads reminding voters that Coleman is why the state has only a single senator during this time of national crisis would be a good investment.
Governor Tim Pawlenty has suggested that he may refuse to certify Franken’s election until Coleman has exhausted all possible appeals. Given Pawlenty’s presidential ambitions, even a well-executed ad campaign probably wouldn’t change his mind. But it would raise the price that Minnesota Republicans would pay for his decision. As Jonathan Zasloff noted yesterday, Coleman’s tactics have already darkened future Republican electoral prospects in the state.