Lightning will hit me now that I've agreed with something Big Bad John Cornyn said, but really, we can't go around provisionally seating senators while elections are still being decided. How much would we be bitching if Coleman were ahead and the GOP tried this? It's not like we have much longer to wait before Franken is certified the winner, and we can all enjoy the imploding Republican heads then. And we're going to.

Lightning will hit me now that I've agreed with something Big Bad John Cornyn said

Never be too quick to do so. Cornyn is claiming that Franken has already declared himself the winner, which is nonsense. But more, he is preparing for the likely outcome that Franken will be certified, even as Coleman challenges the results. There is plenty of precedent for seating him in this case. A majority in the Senate could refuse to do so, but that is unlikely.

Sounds to me like Cornyn's being nothing more than a sore loser.

Well, but Danp, he hasn't been certified yet, right? Once he is, seating him is correct regardless of Coleman's challenges. I apparently didn't understand that Cornyn was threatening to challenge the seating pending the (however long it takes) resolution of Coleman's suits, even though it says so right there in Benen's post. Oops.

Once the state certifies, there's no real reason to wait for the legal process to finish. This could go on for months -- that's probably what Coleman is trying for.

The Republicans' goals are to put the Senate Democrats on the spot, use public pressure and disinformation to intimidate them, leave the Democrats a Senator short for awhile, tarnish Franken's name, and so on. They don't necessarily believe that Coleman has a good or a winnable case. Just the usual obstructionism and sabotage.

In an attempt to bolster his chances at the RNC Chairmanship Florida GOP chair will send New Years gifts of 'Amos and Andy' CDs to the party faithful. "There's nothing wrong with 'Amos and Andy'" Greer said today, "Those old shows are comedy gold."

The race for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee was crowded enough, but Florida GOP Chair Jim Greer is apparently prepared to throw his hat into the ring

It's amazing watching all these people jostling to become the captain of the Titanic.

"The race for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee was crowded enough, but Florida GOP Chair Jim Greer is apparently prepared to throw his hat into the ring."

I believe all the fashionable candidates are wearing hoods this season.

Al Franken is only on track to win to the extent that Republicans and their allies aren't able to screw him over with legal challenges and maybe even dirty tricks. He and allies better be vigilant, careful, and tough. Sure will be fun if he gets in, imperfect he may be (?) for such a formal post.

I believe all the fashionable candidates are wearing hoods this season.

Snap!

What the hell does Cornyn have to do with seating Franken? Doesn't he know the ReThugs are not in control of the Senate anymore? I don't think this is one of those things you can filibuster.

This seems the time and place to say: Thanks, Steve. This is a terrific site, you do smart good work that repeatedly astonishes me with scope and thoughtful, unangry analysis and common sense. Happy New Year to us all, to good guy Political Animals everywhere, and to Steve especially. What a year, and immeasurably more informed, better, smarter with this site.

A growing number of conservatives may be coming to terms with the fact that a Franken victory is very likely but Stein only cites one Newsmax article. The rest is just conjecture and imaginings. Maybe they are talking about it behind closed doors but I doubt Stein has any access behind those doors.

That story has as many real facts as any of the nonsense written about Obama's supposed problems stemming from the Blago investigation.

* Al Franken believes he's "on track to win" in Minnesota.

Coleman is in it to extend it.

DeGette was never much of a contender for the Senate slot in CO. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, she opted out, which was a smart move.

I don't think it has fully hit me until now that the man who created Stuart Smalley is most likely going to be in the Senate. I love it on so many levels. Franken is both the clown that we need in government to reveal the true lobby circus that most senators perpetuate, and the ultra-serious Democratic party advocate that the wimpy Dem leadership needs. If you read his books, they are certainly funny, but eventually I realized that Franken's humor is motivated from a fervent love for his party's potential.

I've long hoped for this, but never thought it could be a reality. Here's hoping he pulls it out.