At long last, the Minnesota Supreme Court has declared Al Franken the victor in the state’s remarkably tight and seemingly endless U.S. Senate race. The comedian-turned-politician won the almost eight-month-long battle against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman, who conceded Tuesday, by 312 votes, giving the Democrats a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate to add to their comfortable advantage in the House.

The Democrats now have firm control over Congress and the White House and no one to blame if they fail to reward voters with comprehensive health care reform and the other goodies they have promised.

Here’s hoping Franken is as enlightened in his Senate career as he was on radio and in print. Because he’s good enough, he’s smart enough and at least 312 more people favored him over the other guy.

Reuters:

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of a tight U.S. Senate race over Republican Norm Coleman, which should give Democrats the 60-seat majority they need to overcome procedural obstacles and push through their agenda.

Coleman has said in published reports he is unlikely to appeal the state court’s decision to the federal courts. Under state law, the court’s decision gives Franken the right to occupy the seat, which has been up for grabs since last November’s election.

Minnesota Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty has said he will certify the election winner based on what the state court decides.

Read More

WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...

This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.

At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.

Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.

Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.

Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.

Donate now.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG