The national parties are giving their reactions to today’s big legal developments in Minnesota.
Jim Manley, the spokesman for Harry Reid, issued this statement:
“Sen. Reid is looking forward to the final resolution of this case by the Minnesota courts so that Al Franken can finally be seated as the new senator from Minnesota.”
Pay close attention to the specific mention here of the Minnesota courts. This would appear to say that Reid believes Franken should be seated after his expected victory at the Minnesota Supreme Court — and that this shouldn’t wait for federal appeals.
NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh gave TPM this statement:
“The NRSC has and will continue to support Norm Coleman’s efforts to ensure that thousands of Minnesotans are not disenfranchised, that ballots exist before they are counted, and that every legitimate vote that was cast is counted once in Minnesota.”
And DSCC spokesman Eric Schultz tells TPM:
“We have always said Norm Coleman deserved his day in court. He got seven weeks. Republicans have made it clear they will hold this Senate seat hostage in order to pursue their political agenda – at the hefty expense of Minnesota having full representation in Congress. All eyes will be on the examination of ballots on April 7th and, as we have said all along, we will have yet another confirmation that Al Franken won the election. Governor Pawlenty has said that Minnesota is suffering from not having two Senators. Governor Pawlenty ought to make clear that if former Senator Coleman chooses to appeal the outcome of the contest in the state Supreme Court that this is the end of the road — and that, consistent with the law, he will certify Al Franken the winner following that state court appeal.”
