Court Ruling Prepares Way For Franken To Assume Senate Seat

Finally, Minnesota’s Supreme Court has put an end (at least at the state level) to Norm Coleman’s ridiculous obstructionism and ruled in favor of Al Franken, The New York Times reported. Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty appears ready to certify Franken as the winner and, after 34 weeks, Minnesota will finally have a second senator.

But as happy as I am to see Franken win this bout in the legal contest over Minnesota’s Senate seat, I have mixed feelings about the Democrats controlling a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Simply put, such majorities rarely benefit the American political system and with the Democrats already controlling the White House and the House of Representatives I must say that a Republican counterweight in the Senate would be good for the American people.

The Founders drafted the Constitution with a system of checks and balances in mind. It was designed to prevent one ideology from holding unquestioned sway over the American government and it has protected this nation from the excesses of both parties over the last decades.

From health care to immigration reform, the Congress is preparing to address a series of momentous issues that will benefit from compromise and debate. A filibuster-proof majority in the Senate would endanger such compromise and produce a weaker bill as a result.

But I hope that Franken will recognize his position as one of intellectual and legislative independence to act as a foil to the Democratic leadership in the Senate as he pursues the best interests of the American people rather than the best ideological interests of the White House.