Opinion: DNC to Norm Coleman: ‘Enough is enough’

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It’s been 24 weeks since the Senate election in Minnesota between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and comedian-turned-Democrat Al Franken.

And still the wrangling continues.

The latest news was Tuesday’s development. A three-judge panel in the state ruled that Franken ‘received the highest number of votes legally cast.’ At last count, the former ‘Saturday Night Live’ performer was ahead by 312 votes out of nearly 3 million coast.

But Coleman has vowed to take his case to the state Supreme Court, arguing that more than 4,400 absentee ballots have yet to be counted. And both Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, a Democrat, seem content to let him take one last appeal to the state Supreme Court before this movie comes to a conclusion.

But Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said it was time for Coleman to concede, accusing him of putting his own ambition ahead of voter interests.

And just in case he didn’t hear the message from Kaine, the DNC started running ads on news stations in the Twin Cities today, accusing Coleman and Republicans of wanting “to thwart the will of the voters” and delay the outcome.

“Enough is enough,” says an announcer, noting that Franken won the original election, the recount and a legal challenge. “America is in an economic crisis -- and Minnesota faces unique challenges of its own. Minnesota deserves two senators and voters deserve to have their verdict stand without delay.”

-- Johanna Neuman