Harry Reid didn't cave - Franken didn't go to Washington to be sworn in

[jsamuel]

Reid can't swear someone in if they aren't in Washington. Seems to me that Reid and Franken talked and agreed that they would not push the issue. The media said this means Reid "caved" to Republican pressure, but it seems that Franken didn't want to get sworn in that way.

[babylonsister]

1. Thank you. m$nbc explaining what's going on now.

This has nothing to do with Reid and everything to do with what Coleman does next. If he does nothing, Franken gets certified, and he's in. Otherwise, it could take awhile.

[Goblinmonger]

3. Franken getting certified

has NOTHING to do with what Coleman does next. Minnesota gets to certify their election regardless of what Reid or anyone else wants. THe Minn Supreme Court has ruled that Coleman's case is crap and therefore the state will move ahead to certify. If Coleman goes to the Federal Court, that will not impact the decision to certify.

[babylonsister]

4. That's not what the MN election judge just said on the tube. nt

[Goblinmonger]

7. Guess it sucks to be tubeless right now.

I was under the impression that the MN Supreme Court ruling put an end to it.

[babylonsister]

9. I believe Franken has been certified once but needs another

from the MN SoS (I think) which hasn't been done yet, pending Coleman's next move.

[Goblinmonger]

11. Ok

so the election committee certified him, I believe. I think the SoS is a republican hack so I don't imagine that will be coming all that soon.

[jsamuel]

14. no, he is a dem, but cannot

certify by law until 7 days after the board does with no election contest or lawsuit

[onehandle]

2. Yep. nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

5. Franken has not been certified by the Repuke Gov and Secy of State,

so his win is not official. They are waiting for the resolution of lawsuits filed by Coleman.

[ThomWV]

6. You can bet your ass that if there was Democratic support for him being sworn today he would be ther

[bigtree]

8. well,

. . . Reid created the logjam with his petty politics over Burris. He couldn't face a double standard in accepting Franken and not Burris. The way Reid is managing these Democrats' ascensions into office is appallingly inept and baffling in it's logic.

[riqster]

10. It's Minnesota Law

The SOS and Guv must certify the election. By law, the Guv cannot certify if there are outstanding challenges.

[Mz Pip]

12. It's pretty straightforward

Coleman has a week under the law to file any challenges. The MN counts have resonded pretty quickly to challenges in this election so I don't think they'll sit on ruling on the Coleman challenge for very long.

[riqster]

13. I like the Minnesota model, frankly

Transparent and pretty much cookbook-simple. More states should work that way.