I thought the FBI were investigating him for something? Maybe he'll get indicted soon

The question that needs to be asked is why would he give it up ? It's not being funded by him and he is being investigated by the FBI. There isn't one compelling argument for him to give up the seat, except for the constituents and we all know his political career is done, so that means little to him.

If he takes this all the way to the USSC, he is finished politically. With each passing day, he inflicts more damage to himself and the GOP.

One reason why the Republicans might want to urge Coleman to give up is he might drag Pawlenty down with him. After the MN SC dismisses Coleman's appeal (almost certain), Pawlenty will be the one on the precipice. If Franken has to force Pawlenty to sign (by getting a writ of mandamus from the MN SC), Pawlenty will be caught between supporting Republican obstructionism and being in contempt of court.

That won't be a comfortable spot.

52% don't think this is merely a stall tactic. I wonder what they think Coleman's most convincing argument is for overturning the results. And it bothers me that no one seems to be demanding that he defend his decision to appeal by explaining his argument.

Even Dems continually call on him to quit, but concede he has a right to appeal. Every Dem who lost an election had the same right, but at some point you have to say why you think you won, and in what way the courts were unfair in their decisions. Why is Coleman not held to this simple standard?

ScottW: The question that needs to be asked is why would he give it up ?

Exactly. Shame? Please. When have Republicans ever cared about that?

A 100% of people could be for Franken but if all they do is shrug their shoulders it doesn´t matter a damn.

You can bet if situations were reversed and 30% of voters, most Republicans, thought Franken should concede, there would have been an outrageous ruckus and Coleman would have been seated months ago.

There's something interesting about that 59-41 number: remember, it was a 3-way race. Coleman and Franken each got a hair under 42 points; a third candidate got 15 points. The result is consistent with the Coleman voters wanting their guy to fight on, but the people who voted for the third candidate (and against Coleman, the incumbent) wanting it over.

This suggests that a do-over with only Coleman and Franken would not be a close race.

Oh, and Coleman's already finished politically. He was an incumbent who couldn't get 42%. I think he's fighting on because he expects to be rewarded by the wingnut welfare machine.

>>>Voters have been remarkably patient in Minnesota as the Franken/Coleman ordeal has dragged on.

Its called MN nice. I once lived there. They are incredibly patient to a point. I have a feeling coleman has gone beyond that point.

I can't help but wonder if both Coleman and Pawlenty cringed when Cornyn came out with his snit about prolonging this appeal process forever and ever to keep the Minn. seat vacant. It's not that it isn't obvious but when a prominent repub comes right out and says it a lot more people become aware who ordinarily wouldn't be paying very close attention.

They're both in a tough spot now because obviously Coleman's (future) public stock goes down with every delay his dogs can muster and Pawlenty's going to be perceived by Minnesotans as keeping them from having full representation just to keep in the good graces of the far right powers that be.

We're used to seeing Norm's ooze but Pawlenty's has the aw-shucks-aren't-I-a-nice-guy veneer I'm sure he doesn't want tarnished.

Why isn't the media calling Coleman a sore loser and a baby for dragging this on. Didn't they do that to Gore?

Those of you in Minnesota... Do the papers write much about the plight of Klobuchar, trying to pull a double load as a Senator? NYT had an article, with quotes from her and she sounded quite frazzled. Extra office clerks had to be hired to answer the phones, extra space had to be found for constituents who drop by with a problem, the backlog of unresolved (or even unlooked at) cases is growing etc, etc, etc...

I'm jut hoping that Franken is keeping himself informed as to the duties and the problems, because he'll really need to hit the ground running.

New poll question: "Why do Republicans hate the people of Minnesota?"

This is the perfect opportunity for a splendid, healing gesture of bipartisanship.

Franken should withdraw.

Let the healing -- and there's no healing like Republican healing -- begin.

I think the Soreloserman family has just added a new baby boy!

Joe, meet your younger brother.