Coleman Could Be Mulling Gubernatorial Bid

(NEWSER) - Tim Pawlenty will not seek a third term as Minnesota governor, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Pawlenty is seen as a probable Republican candidate for 2012, but he was mum on the subject. “I don’t have any plans beyond serving out my term,” he said today. “I’m not ruling anything in or out.” He said he was leaving office to open up the field to others. More»

Groups pressure GOP holdout by funding other candidates

(NEWSER) - A pair of Democratic groups think the best way to get rid of Norm Coleman is by pressuring his fellow Republicans. The newly formed Progressive Change Campaign Committee, together with Howard Dean’s Democracy for America, has sent an email to more than a million addresses asking supporters to donate $1 to help elect other Democrats for every day Coleman “refuses to concede.” More»

Cracking up audiences, Franken mounts serious challenge to Coleman

(NEWSER) - The Minnesota GOP, facing an unexpectedly strong challenge from would-be Democratic nominee Al Franken, is turning some of his humor around on him. Immediately after the actor-author announced his US Senate candidacy, the GOP released a list of what it called “mean-spirited and divisive partisan” wisecracks, the Journal reports, and a GOP tracker is filming his every campaign move. More»

Furious John Boehner will not attend

(NEWSER) - John Boehner is not pleased with the kids: While the speaker-elect might prefer his caucus stick to the populist message that won them the House, on the eve of taking it over, a dozen freshman Republicans are throwing a lavish DC fundraiser headlined by LeAnn Rimes. For $2,500, Politico reports that lobbyists, PAC managers, and others will be able to hobnob with lawmakers at the swanky W Hotel, with the highest rollers paying $50,000 for access to the hotel’s “VIP suite.” More»

During campaign he was wonky and even a bit boring

(NEWSER) - Liberals may be hoping for biting wit and conservatives for embarrassing shtick, but according to Bob Benenson of CQPolitics, Al Franken is likely to disappoint both when he finally arrives in the Senate. Throughout his campaign Franken displayed an impressive mastery of Minnesota issues and made clear his candidacy was not a lark. Some Dems even began to think of the SNL star as boring. More»