Could the Franken request for a certificate be a smart maneuver?

[trotsky]

Doing so allowed SOS Ritchie to publicly say "No." This helps further demonstrate him being non-partisan and not simply seeking to get Franken into office.

[Minnesota Raindog]

1. Republicans from Janacek to Powerline have praised Ritchie

Coleman, his goons and the state GOP are going to get a big black eye from their whining about Ritchie. Ritchie has won praise from everone, including Republican lobbyist hack Sarah Janacek and wingnut TCF lawyer/Powerline blogger Scott Johnson, who aren't prone to praising "communists" like Ritchie. After this is over, Ritchie will be able to have this office as long as he wants it, and Coleman and his thuggish followers and sycophants will be but an ugly little asterisk in the history books.

And yes, this is a good strategic move for Franken for the reason you cite.