Pawlenty: Specter switch won't affect Coleman appeals

Despite the increasing spotlight on the Minnesota U.S. Senate race, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty insists Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to turn Democrat won't change anything in Norm Coleman's appeal case.

Some people speculated that the news would put pressure on Pawlenty and Coleman to draw out the appeals process to stall the 60th Democratic vote in the Senate, which gives them a filibuster-proof majority. Pawlenty says he will follow the court's decision and sign the election certificate when they see fit. "We're going to follow the law with respect to the Franken/Coleman litigation and when and how a certificate gets issued," Pawlenty told Minnesota Public Radio. "So again, the situation with Pennsylvania has no connection or impact on what's going to happen in Minnesota."

The candidates responded yesterday with yawntastic statements:

Norm Coleman

Cullen Sheehan, campaign manager for Senator Norm Coleman, today released the following statement regarding Sen. Specter's party switch:

"Senator Coleman's focus remains on the thousands of Minnesota citizens who have not had their voices heard or their votes counted. We will keep on fighting to enfranchise these voters and to ensure that every legally cast ballot is opened and counted."

Al Franken

Franken spokesman Andy Barr:

Sen.-elect Franken looks forward to working with Senators of both parties to make progress on President Obama's agenda and move our country forward.