Pawlenty says he'll certify if "the court says".

[DemsUnited]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/us/politics/03pawlenty.html?_r=1&ref=politics

At a news conference in St. Paul called to discuss his plans, Mr. Pawlenty also made clear that he would follow the directive of the State Supreme Court and ratify whomever it declared the victor in the Senate race between Norm Coleman, a Republican, and Al Franken, a Democrat.

Republican leaders in Washington, including Michael Steele, the head of the Republican National Committee, have said they would appeal the case in federal court should the state court rule against Mr. Coleman. That put Mr. Pawlenty in the position of dealing with conflicting pressure from national Republicans — eager to stop the Democrats from holding 60 seats, which would allow them to halt a filibuster — and from Minnesota residents eager for the race to be resolved.

“I think you guys have really overbaked that issue,” Mr. Pawlenty said when asked about this at the news conference. “I’m going to do whatever the court says. If the court directs me to sign that certificate, I will.”

Unfortunately, I'm not convinced by the NYT statement that Pawlenty will ratify whomever the State Supreme Court declared the victor. What Pawlenty said was "if the court directs me to sign that certificate, I will." Which begs the question, what if the state court upholds a Franken win, but DOESN'T direct Pawlenty to sign the election as per request of Team Franken? Will Pawlenty continue to say "I don't want to get in the way of the legal process" and not sign the certificate?

[kirby]

1. self-delete

[DemsUnited]

2. Fixed & Thanks!

[kirby]

3. Here is another...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/whats-next-in-minnesota-a-virtually-certain-ruling-for-franken----and-big-choices-for-pawlenty.php

"Indeed, Pawlenty has given some mixed signals. Shortly before the trial court ruled for Al Franken, Pawlenty said that even after the state Supreme Court handed down a ruling, he would have to look at the ruling, and evaluate the strength of any remaining issues for potential appeal. That said, a court ruling that demanded an immediate certification might not leave him much wiggle room.

Meanwhile, Coleman could go looking for a federal court somewhere to hand down an injunction against a certificate, based on his complaint that the state has violated the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the 14th Amendment. Indeed, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn -- who has said the case could take "years" to resolve -- has also said a federal court should issue an injunction in order to prevent the issue from being mooted."

[leftynyc]

4. Franken's lawyers

specifically asked the court to do just that. After hearing what pawlenty has said, they'd be extra stupid not to do so.

[backscatter712]

5. I think it's almost over.

Coleman's lawyers were a bunch of incompetent assclowns from day one of the court case, and they didn't let up in oral arguments in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court - even the right-wingers on the court were grilling the Coleman team and almost asking them what they were smoking and why they weren't sharing.

Meanwhile, Franken's lawyers were systematically destroying Coleman's case, putting together their arguments meticulously, and patiently working with the court to put together a ruling that was airtight.

My bet is that in a week or two, the Minnesota Supreme Court shoots Coleman down in flames, declares Franken the winner and orders Pawlenty to issue the election certificate. And I doubt that any federal court will touch this case.

[Occam Bandage]

6. I agree. It sounds like he's saying he won't certify until there's an injunction. nt

[Cha]

7. Well, I'm going to give this

a kick anyway to keep anything on Franken's progress in the news.

[Dinger]

9. Me Too (nt)

[Stellabella]

8. That jerk is an expert at weaseling out of promises.

He'll sign if the court directs him too, but he doesn't have the guts or honor to do it if they don't.

I hate that asshole.

[SoCalDem]

10. Yup.. the court may just issue their ruling, and EXPECT Pawlenty

to follow the law.. They may not feel the NEED to TELL him..

Like how we are expected to follow traffic laws, even if a cop does not personally call us up and TELL us to not speed, or drink & drive

[SpartanDem]

11. I think the lower court issued an order for certification

,but there is less wiggle room since this ruling is coming from the supreme court