Keith Olbermann is positively gleeful that Michele Bachmann may have talked herself out of a job. If just a few thousand of her district members follow her advice to not fill out the Census, Minnesota could lose a congressional seat--hers.

Via

More than eight months after Election Day 2008, Al Franken can finally call himself Minnesota's junior senator.

Franken, joined by his wife, Franni, addressed dozens of reporters, family members and supporters outside his Minneapolis townhouse Tuesday afternoon. He appeared relieved that the long election contest was over and said he was ready to get to work.



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We don't really know what's going on here, but it's creeping us out. There's Mickey's and duct tape. A bad combination. It's Wisconsin though, so what do you expect? That places makes even Minnesotans do weird things. Toast to summer!

Photo by twodolla, more photos on Flickr.

The Minnesota DFL says they will celebrate Al Franken's victory tomorrow (Wednesday) at the state Capitol.

Senator-elect Franken, wife Franni Franken, and Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez will join supporters on the upper mall of the state Capitol at noon.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Minnesota State Capitol, upper mall
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, St. Paul

Photo by mandj98

Apparently lighting fireworks on the porch is a bad idea.

Two St. Paul teens learned that lesson early Monday morning when their fireworks display started a fire, burning through their duplex on Roblyn Avenue.

The two teens tried to put out the fire with pans of water before they called 911. Fire crews were able to douse the blaze, and everyone escaped the fire without serious injury.

From the Star Tribune:

The fire left 13 people homeless because "they had a little fun at 1 a.m. in the morning," said Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard. "They didn't do anything criminal but what they did was stupid and careless. The important message here is that just because [fireworks] are legal doesn't mean they are safe."

Kudos to St. Paul firefighters who claim a four-minute average response time to fire calls.

Senator-Elect Al Franken just spoke in front of his Minneapolis home, happily accepting Norm Coleman's concession in the state's longest election contest.

He said received a very gracious call from Coleman where they both wish each other well. "We agreed it is time to bring this state together," Franken said.

The victory speech marks the end of an eight-month recount and legal battle for Minnesota's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Franken could be sworn in as soon as next week.

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Norm Coleman concedes Minnesota's 2008 U.S. Senate race. from tommy scheck on Vimeo.

MinnPost has Norm Coleman's concession speech:

"Ours is a government of laws, not men and women. The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken and I respect its decision and will abide by the result. It's time for Minnesota to come together under the leaders it has chosen and move forward. I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States Senator - Al Franken.

"Just a few last words about my legal challenge. Sure, I wanted to win. Not just for myself but for my wonderful supporters and the important values I have always fought for. I also thought it was important to stand up for enfranchising thousands of Minnesotans whose votes weren't counted like the others were. After all, issues and politicians come and go, but voting is fundamental.

"It is the essence of democracy so I knew we needed to do everything we could to get it right.

"I am forever grateful and humbled by the people of Minnesota who have given me the honor to represent them - and even more grateful for their wisdom, courage, patience and understanding over these past several months.

Read the rest of the statement here.

President Barack Obama released an official statement on Al Franken's win of Minnesota's vacant U.S. Senate seat:

"I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century."

The good senator just released this statement, welcoming her new colleague to Washington, and commending Norm Coleman on his efforts as a congressman.  More >>