Liberals press Pawlenty on Franken election

A liberal-labor coalition is trying to squeeze Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who will likely soon decide whether to allow Democrat Al Franken to take his seat in the US Senate.

With the switch of Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania to the Democratic fold this week, that would bring the number of Democratic seats to 60 -- enough if all the Democrats and two like-minded independents fall in line to overcome Republican filibusters.

Americans United for Change, the Alliance for a Better Minnesota, and the Minnesota AFL-CIO today unveiled a new TV ad that will start running Friday to urge Pawlenty to certify the results giving Franken the victory over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman if Franken is declared the winner by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Pawlenty was on John McCain's short list for vice president last year and is in the conversation as a possible Republican presidential nominee in 2012.

"Most Minnesotans – including Republicans – believe that once the Minnesota Supreme Court rules – it will be time for Governor Pawlenty to do his legal duty and certify Al Franken as our senator," the announcer says in the ad, as newspapers headlines on poll findings appear on screen .

"But the national Republican donors don’t want Minnesota to have its rightful representation in the Senate," the announcer continues. "Now Governor Pawlenty has a choice. Will he act in the best interest Minnesota or his own national political ambitions?"