Al Franken Gets One Step Closer

One would like to think that normal political rules still apply, and that yesterday's court order in Minnesota would point to an end to former Sen. Norm Coleman's (R) hopes. But this is the interminable Franken-Coleman contest, and the normal political rules seem to have no meaning.

Al Franken, the comedian turned politician, won a potentially decisive court ruling on Tuesday in his bid to replace Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican trying to hold on to his Senate seat.

A three-judge panel ruled that only 400 absentee ballots -- far fewer than Mr. Coleman had sought -- should be examined for possible counting. If the ruling stands, it could be devastating for Mr. Coleman, who trailed his Democratic challenger by 225 votes out of some 2.9 million cast and had hoped that nearly 1,400 absentee ballots might be recounted.

Even if the results put Mr. Coleman further in the hole, as expected, he could fight on, before the Minnesota Supreme Court or perhaps in the federal courts. His lawyer said Mr. Coleman had not given up.

Well, no, of course not. Republicans have been quite candid about their intention to keep this fight going literally for "years," regardless of the consequences. Remember in November when Norm Coleman said he'd quit, for the good of the people, if the vote totals showed him losing? He doesn't.