Pawlenty might deny Franken's certificate?
A blog item in the local independent newspaper City Pages hints that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) might deny a certificate to Franken:
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2009/04/coleman_appeal.php
IANAL but this is not OK. The earlier court ruling, and state law, say "all state challenges". If Pawlenty thinks he can over-rule judges, Franken can sue him and he is liable to criminal penalties as well. That will look really good, to throw a (state) constitutional crisis on top of the budget showdown. Minnesota's legislature must adjourn by mid-May; which is about when things will get hot. I can see it now:
- April 23rd: Coleman files appeal at nearly last moment.
- April 24th: Franken's attorneys file rebuttal.
- April 30: Arguments before court. Things look bad for Coleman as Ginsberg is held in comtempt for his 3rd attempt to bring in an argument not previously heard: that Coleman is in fact a "Lizard people" and should have gotten that write-in vote.
- May 1, 3:30 PM: MN court says "Coleman appeal denied, Franken lawfully elected"
- May 1, 3:45 PM: MN's Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (D) immediately sends an election certificate to Gov. Pawlenty. Pawlenty sits on it.
- May 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8: Coleman "still contemplating" Federal court challenge. Pawlenty still stalling.
- May 15: Franken's attorney reminds Pawlenty that he has 15 days to issue the certificate of election, expiring tomorrow.
- May 16: Pawlenty still "studying the decision"
- May 17: Franken & Ritchie announce they will file suit against Pawlenty to force issuance of certificate.
- May 18: Coleman files Federal appeal in Minneapolis district court.
- May 18: Pawlenty refuses to sign, citing Coleman's appeal.
- May 18: Mandated date for state legislature's adjournment. "Legislature may not meet in regular session after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year"
