Minutes ago, Senator-elect Al Franken walked down the steps of his downtown Minneapolis townhouse and made the final, and very brief, victory speech of the 2008 Senate campaign. With his wife Franni standing behind him, Franken noted that he had gotten a “very gracious call” from Norm Coleman. “We agreed that it is time to bring this state together.”

“It was a very gracious call. He said it was a very hard fought campaign. I said, ‘Norm, it couldn’t have been closer.’”

What he was thinking during Coleman’s call: “This is nice. This is a nice way to end this.”

Emotions:”Thrilled and honored by the faith Minnesotans have placed in me” but also “humbled” by the closeness of the election and the “enormity” of the tasks ahead of him.

Lesson learned: “I won by 312 votes, so I really have to earn the trust of the people who didn’t vote for me.”

Next stop: up to the Iron Range for some parades

Priorities: health care, education, energy, to “restore” the nation’s standing in the world and “put people to work at home.”

Committee assignments: 1) Health, Education, Labor and Pension, 2) Judiciary, 3) Indian Affairs, 4) Aging.

What’s he been doing the past eight months:”We’ve been doing a lot. I’ve been going back and forth to Washington. I have a staff in place. I can hit the ground, if not running, trotting.”

What else he’s been doing: raising money, having people over to dinner who can help him get things done in Washington

After 15 minutes, the new senator and his wife trotted back up the steps and through the green door of the townhouse.

Here’s Franken’s prepared statement:

We have a lot of work to do in Washington, but that’s why I signed up for the job in the first place. When we started this campaign way back in February 2007, I said that Americans have never backed away from tough challenges, and Minnesotans have always led the way.
Working with our fantastic senior Senator, Amy Klobuchar, I’m going to fight hard to put people to work, improve education, make Minnesota the epicenter of a new renewable energy economy, and make quality health care accessible and affordable for all Minnesotans.
No matter whether you voted for me, or for Senator Coleman, or for Senator Barkley, or whether you voted at all, I want the people of Minnesota to know that I’m ready to work for all of you, and that I’m committed to being a voice for all Minnesotans in the U.S. Senate.

In a 15-minute news conference, looking relaxed and upbeat, Norm Coleman congratulated Al Franken, reminisced about his 6-year term and the “longest election in Minnesota history” and didn’t discuss the details of the rejected legal challenge.

“We have reached the point where further litigation damages the unity of our state,” Coleman said. “I congratulate Al Franken in his victory in his election.”

“The bottom line is that’s history. I’m not looking back… We are a nation of laws, not men and women. The court has spoken.”

Coleman on his future: “I’m considering whether I can do a better job of catching fish in the next couple of days… I haven’t made a decision yet about the future.”
On his state of mind: “I’ve had a lot of time to process this election, to think about the past and look to the future, and really have a sense of peace of where things are at.”

On the opinion: “the ruling surprised me. I thought we had a better case.”

Special thanks: Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “The good thing for Al Franken is that he’s got Amy Klobuchar by his side.”

Stuff he’ll remember: Constituent service, such as helping people with international custody cases. “It is the people things.” Policy: United Nations oversight, energy independence and renewables. “I’m going to continue to be involved in those discussions.”

Moments later, Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s office issued the following statement:

“The Minnesota Supreme Court has today addressed the issues surrounding the accuracy and integrity of our election system during the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota.  In light of that decision and Senator Coleman’s announcement that he will not be pursuing an appeal, I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law.

“I would like to thank Senator Coleman for his service.  As state solicitor general, Mayor of Saint Paul and United States Senator, he has been an extraordinary leader and public servant for Minnesota.

“I also want to congratulate Al Franken and wish him well as he serves the people of Minnesota.”

President Obama offered this to-do list for Minnesota’s new junior senator:

“I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”

It all sounds very carefully choreographed - let the dance begin

Statement from Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman-elect Tony Sutton, posted on the Minnesota Republican Party web site