Al Franken beats Coleman in contested Minnesota senate election

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Al Franken, who was a saturday night live comedian and satirist, is now the new senator of Minnesota. The Minnesota supreme court ruled in favor of Franken today. After the election in 2008, Al Franken and Norm Coleman were in a dead heat. Franken was the winner, but the margin was so close that there were numerous recounts and appeals. Finally, after seven months the citizens of Minnesota have a new senator. Coleman publically conceded and congratulated Franken. Many people would ask, why wouldn't Coleman push this further, and I believe that he wants to run for another position because his political career is not riddled with controversy and he is fairly young. Candy Crowley of CNN said that Coleman may run for the governor of Minnesota.

This is a huge victory for the democrats, especially with critical bills coming up for vote, such as healthcare reform. Democrats now own 60 seats in the senate giving them a fillabuster proof majority. This can be potentially hazerdous because legislation can move through congress and be signed by the president rather quickly if all democrats are on the same page (thankfully many are skeptical about the proposed healthcare reform).

Al Franken will be sworn in after the July 4th break.

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