Franken Wins, But
Coleman Prolongs the Fight

Just hours after comic-turned-politician Al Franken was declared the victor in the Minnesota race for the U.S. Senate, incumbent Norm Coleman said he will challenge the outcome of a 62-day recount. The state canvassing board certified Franken as the winner by 225 votes out of 3 million counted on Monday.

However, Minnesota law prohibits a final certification since the Coleman camp declared it will challenge the result, seeking to add ballots to the recount. Also under state law, the results cannot be verified for at least one more week. "This process isn't at the end; it is now just at the beginning," said Coleman's attorney Tony Trimble, according to The Washington Post.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid said there would be no special plans to have Franken sworn in on Tuesday, when the 111th session of Congress formally begins. With Franken seated, Democrats would be one short of the 60-seat filibuster-proof majority the party has had its eyes on throughout the election cycle. (Advocate.com)